The saying "the rich get richer" definitely applies to the men's track field events.
Already boasting two All-Americans in the shot put, the Nittany Lions now add redshirt senior high jumper Ryan Fritz. In 2007, Fritz became a two-time Big Ten Champion by sweeping the event both indoors and outdoors and is a two-time All-American.
The spring season adds three throws from indoor including the discus, hammer and the javelin.
"We're adding events that we're traditionally strong in with the javelin, and obviously we have some talented throwers in the discus and the hammer [throws]," coach T.J. Crater said. "On paper we should be a stronger team."
Fritz said he is ready to begin the spring season after not having indoor eligibility. Because of his lack of eligibility, he said his training sessions were much more intense and he's anxious to get the outdoor season started.
While Fritz is committed to helping the Lions score points at Big Tens, he also has some personal goals for the season.
"I want to get back out there at Big Tens, hopefully get a school record out of this, and whatever's left in the tank at the NCAAs, I hope for the best there," Fritz said.
Along with Fritz, the Lions receive redshirt junior Harold Dunn, a former NCAA regional qualifier, and freshman Brett Millar in the javelin.
Millar won the javelin at the District 1 Track and Field Championships as a senior with a throw of 219 feet. The throw was the fourth-best in the country in 2009.
Head coach Beth Alford-Sullivan said she expects the javelin to be a strong event for the team and sees Dunn contributing to the Lions at Big Tens.
Juniors Joe Kovacs and Blake Eaton, coming off a bronze medal and eighth-place finish, respectively, at the NCAA Indoor Championships, will also be the primary throwers in the discus and hammer throws.
"Our goal is to have them maintain their level in the shot [put], and in the discus, and the hammer my hope is that Blake and Joe become contributors at the Big Ten level," Crater said. "I think they are capable of more than that, but for right now if they can put points on the board at Big Tens, that's number one, first and foremost."
The outlook for the Lions in the spring season is bright, and with the added field events, a jump during the Big Ten competition can be expected.
"The events that we add from the 18 indoor [events] to the 21 outdoor are definitely in our favor," Alford-Sullivan said. "We're looking forward to it."
