The only Penn State qualifier at the NCAA Indoor Championships, junior Chavous Nichols, didn't disappoint. He finished ninth with a mark of 52-7 1/2. First place went to University of Southern California's Alan Simms.

Nichols was the second highest finisher of all the Big Ten athletes in his event, which took place last weekend in Fayetteville, Ark., as he came in behind Indiana's Aarik Wilson. He has been the most consistent performer on the track and field team this season and until the Big Ten Championships a few weeks ago, Nichols had been unbeaten in the triple jump.

His coach had nothing but praise for him.

"Chavous is quality in the big time," Penn State men's track and field coach Harry Groves said. "He has been consistent all season."

Nichols set meet records in the triple jump at the Penn State, Connecticut and Princeton Triangular meet with a mark of 50-10 1/4. During the season he also broke the Penn State indoor triple jump record with a leap of 53-00 3/4, way ahead of his previous best of 51-3.

It was a successful indoor season for Nichols, who achieved one of his many goals this season, which was to be an All-American.