Penn State National

DMR World Record Attempts LIVE on Flo!

DMR World Record Attempts LIVE on Flo!

Jan 28, 2015 by Lincoln Shryack
DMR World Record Attempts LIVE on Flo!
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WEEKEND'S RACE PREVIEWS:
UW InvitePSU NationalArmory InviteCamel City Elite | Razorback Invite

Some of the best mid-distance talent in the NCAA are flocking to State College, PA this weekend for the Penn State National meet on Friday and Saturday. The host Nittany Lions have adopted the moniker of ‘800 U’ with the wealth of talent they have produced over the years, and they look to prove themselves once again in 2015 against other talented mid-D powerhouses like Georgetown and Villanova. These three schools will face off in the marquee event of the meet, the DMR, where NCAA and world records could go down. Flotrack will be LIVE both days bringing the action right to your living room!

Women's DMR, Friday 5:55pm CT
The class of this field is Georgetown, who return everyone from a squad that ran 10:55.63 in 2014, #7 in NCAA history. The Hoyas strongest leg is their anchor Katrina Coogan (4:33.44), who has proven herself to be among the NCAA’s best across multiple distances. The Coogan-led Hoyas will face some heat from their Big East rival Villanova, who ran 10:59.74 in 2014. The Wildcats no longer have their catalyst/anchor Emily Lipari, but they return the other three girls who have a lot of experience in these competitive relays. Expect ‘Nova to get out hard to give themselves plenty of breathing room before Coogan gets the stick for Georgetown.
 
Men’s DMR, Friday 6:10pm CT
This one should be a dandy as Penn State, Villanova, and Georgetown all have a legitimate shot at the NCAA and world record. That 9:25.97 record has been held by Texas since 2008, but it will come under fire by these three schools who all ran top ten NCAA all-time marks in 2014.  The Nittany Lions ran 9:26.59 at this meet a year ago, #2 all time, and return three of their four pieces from last season. Brannon Kidder and Robby Creese will lead PSU against a Georgetown squad that has been impressive early in 2015, with four men already under 1:50 in the 800m. All four runners from their 2014 DMR return this season, while Villanova brings back three of their four from a team that ran 9:28.06, #4 in NCAA history. Aussie Jordan Williamsz has 3:56 mile speed and should anchor for the Wildcats.  

Women's 800m, Saturday 2:00pm CT
The magic number for NCAA qualifying in the women’s 800m last season was 2:05.77, and there are a number of ladies who will be looking to hit that mark Saturday in State College. Sabrina Southerland of Georgetown has the fastest PB of the bunch with her 2:04.21, more than a second clear of everyone else in the field. A name to watch out for is Villanova freshman Siofra Cleirigh Buttner. Hailing from Ireland, Buttner split 2:03.81 in a relay as a prep, but may not be a household name just yet. Expect Buttner and her ‘Nova teammate Kelsey Margey (2:05.43) to challenge Southerland for the victory. 

Men's 800m, Saturday 2:10pm CT
D2 stud Drew Windle of Ashland has the fastest PB in this field with his impressive 1:46.52, but he won’t have it easy against his D1 counterparts. Brannon Kidder is entered in three events this weekend, and like the other two, he will be right up front in the 800m. He has a 1:47.23 PB to go along with his 3:38 1500m strength, and has the best shot to beat Windle on Saturday. Don’t count out the rest of 800 U. though, as the Nittany Lions will roll out three other challengers with sub-1:50 PBs. The other names to watch are Chris FitzSimons of Villanova (1:48.91) and Ryan Manahan of Georgetown (1:48.95) and keep an eye out for top D3 runner Andrew Carey (1:49.67) of Johns Hopkins.

Women's Mile, Saturday 3:00pm CT
This one is worth the price of admission just to watch Katrina Coogan. The senior will make her 2015 mile debut at Penn State, and will look to lower her 4:33 PB in State College. Coogan will be favored, but she can’t sleep on this field that includes three girls with PBs under 4:40, including two of her DMR counterparts at Villanova in Stephanie Schappert (4:36.40) and Angel Piccirillo (4:39.03). 
 
Men’s Mile, Saturday 3:10pm CT
Five men in this field have run 4:00.04 or faster, and this loaded group could take down the 3:56.51 meet record if everything goes right. All-Americans Robby Creese and Brannon Kidder will come back from the DMR on Friday night, and will have the home crowd’s support as they look to fend off the ‘Nova duo of Jordan Williamsz (3:56.84) and Rob Denault (3:59.39). Other names to watch are Ahmed Bile of Georgetown and cross country All-American Martin Hehir of Syracuse. 
 
Tune-in at 3pm CT Friday as we’ll be LIVE from Penn State!