On the only ugly day in a stretch of gorgeous ones, the competition wasn't the only thing being blown away.

Saturday at Nittany Lion Track, in swirling winds, the Penn State men's track and field team opened its outdoor season with the 37th Annual Jim Thorpe Invitational.

The Lions, who seemed to have more athletes competing than almost the rest of the field combined, dominated the tops of the result sheets, winning 15 of the 18 events.

With temperatures in the mid-50s and only a few random sun sightings, it wasn't the most welcoming day to move outside, but the team's attitude was still one of optimism. A few clouds couldn't dampen the excitement of getting out.

"That's what track is really about, being outside. It was a low-key meet, which was nice to get out and get used to it," senior sprinter Alex Langan said. "That was my first time running the 100 [this year]. We're not confined to such tight turns, so it's nice."

Senior Matt Lincoln, who didn't compete in the indoor season, started hot by winning the 1,500 and finished second in the 3,000.

Allen Pettner won the javelin with a toss of more than 215 feet and qualified for NCAA regionals.

Junior Steve Meyers, who also qualified for regionals in the shot put, placed second in it, and second again in his first discus throw of the year.

Several Lions coming off strong indoor seasons continued their winning ways Saturday.

Propelled by the wind, Langan won the 100- and 200-meter dashes, with a new personal best time in the 100. Junior Ryan Kleintop out-jumped the competition in long jump and the triple jump with the wind at his back.

Fab frosh Ryan Fritz won the high jump, topping out at 6-8 in his first collegiate outdoor jump.

"The biggest thing we got out of that meet was a step forward," Penn State head coach Harry Groves said.

He was especially pleased with the outdoor-only events, the javelin, discus and hammer throw.

"They all threw pretty well. We had a qualifier in the javelin, Pettner, and then the discus, Meyers was close to qualifying for that," Groves said.

"The attitude I picked up was they were anxious to go even though the wind came up. So right now the attitude is where we'd like to have it, and we'll go with it and see where it takes us."

Langan echoed Groves' positive vibe.

"No one was happy with an eighth-place finish [at the Indoor Championships]. So we're definitely working hard, and keeping focused as a team."