Another meet passed, and another record fell for junior Ryan Foster.
Foster ran his season debut 800 meters at the Penn State National Saturday in one minute, 47.48 seconds, once again setting the Penn State, meet, track and Australian National Indoor records. He also qualified himself automatically for the NCAA championships.
"It was a really solid opener," Foster said of his performance."I was aiming at getting under 1:48, and I did that."
Though Foster was pleased with his time, he said he thought he could have done better.
"It was another race where I would've liked to have someone really challenge. That always helps," Foster said.
Foster's run was only one of many great performances on the day for the Nittany Lion men. Freshman Casimir Loxsom also automatically qualified for NCAAs in the 800 meters, finishing in one minute, 47.98 seconds. Both times are the top two in the nation so far this season.
Juniors Owen Dawson and Lionel Williams provisionally qualified in the 800 as well, finishing in one minute, 48.97 seconds and one minute, 50.15 seconds, respectively.
Junior Joe Kovacs turned in the third automatic qualifier for the day, throwing a personal-best 63 feet, 6.25 inches in the shot put. The throw stands second in the Penn State record books behind former Olympian C.J. Hunter's throw of 65 feet, 7 inches.
"The whole day felt good with Blake and I both getting over 60 feet," Kovacs said.
"It's all about taking steps as we move toward nationals."
Fellow junior Blake Eaton also put up a personal-best with a throw of 60 feet, 1 inch. Penn State throws coach T.J. Crater was pleased, as both throws rank as the top two in the Big Ten.
"I couldn't be happier," Penn State throws coach T.J. Crater said.
"It was just one of those things you knew it was going to happen the minute the competition started. It was great."
After the meet, coach Beth Alford-Sullivan said she was proud of how her team performed.
"I'm impressed," Alford-Sullivan said.
"The momentum behind our guys is very strong moving forward."
Overall, the team finished with a total of three automatic qualifiers and three more on the provisional side. The Lions currently sit at No. 48 in the nation. Before the meet this weekend, Alford-Sullivan said she challenged her team to crack the top-25.
After the Lions' performance Sunday, the team is confident that goal will be reached.
"I think we're damn good," Foster said.
"I'm going to be very surprised if when the rankings come out we're not in the top-25."
