Sophomore Molly Landreth didn't know why her Penn State teammates were making such a fuss in the stands after she finished the 3,000-meter steeplechase at the Sea Ray Relays in Knoxville, Tenn., last weekend.

"I thought I had missed a lap or something," Landreth said. "In the back of my mind, I was kind of nervous."

She hadn't missed a lap, though. Instead, Landreth had broken not one, not two but four records with her time of 10:21.83. She crushed the previous time held by Toledo's Brianne Shook by more than five seconds and claimed the Tom Black Track facility record, the Tom Black Track Collegiate record and the Sea Ray Relays Record. Landreth also broke the Penn State record and earned herself a trip to the NCAA Regional meet.

When she finally realized what had happened, Landreth was shocked and in a state of disbelief.

One of the reasons Landreth found her achievement so hard to believe was that it was only her first time running the event this season.

"I just went into the race blindly," Landreth said.

"She really had a great meet," Penn State women's track and field coach Beth Alford-Sullivan said.

Despite the surprise of the athlete, the event seems fitting for Landreth, who is also a cross-country runner in the fall season and a regular in the 5,000-meter.

"I wasn't so keen on track and field so I wanted something to spice it up," Landreth said.

The steeplechase somewhat combines several aspects of both sports. The runners, usually stuck close together in the pack, must jump over large hurdles placed all over the track as they go the distance.

The steeplechase has more added challenges than the usual track event.

"When you see a barrier, you just jump," Landreth said.

Now, after an exciting weekend, Landreth looks to take a break from the steeplechase and track and rest up.

She is setting her sights next on placing well at the Penn Relays, which will be held in two weeks. Landreth is also putting in lots of miles training for Regionals, where she hopes to earn high honors and make her way to the NCAA championships.

It was a great run for a consistent athlete who just did what she knew how to do -- run the race.

And now there is a lasting impression left in Landreth's mind from the Sea Ray Relays and a new name that will have to be placed in the record books as well.