• Paul O’Donoghue won the 1000m run in a school record time of 2:26.81
• Senior Will Narramore set a new indoor PR in the triple jump (14.39m, 47-2.50)
• The Panthers return to PSU and the JDL Fast Track in Winston for Saturday competition
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – For the second time in as many days, senior Paul O’Donoghue conquered an HPU school record to lead the men’s track & field team at the Penn State National Invitational Saturday.
After taking part in HPU’s school record DMR performance Friday, O’Donoghue stepped up individually to claim the 1000m title Saturday in a HPU record time of 2:26.81. The previous record set by Josh Morgan (2:27.47) had stood since the 2007-08 season.
“Workouts have been going well and I knew from what I was doing in practice I was capable of beating the record,” O’Donoghue said. “Coach Thiesfeld and I had a plan to hit certain splits and finish well. I was in a slower heat and had to dictate the pace. I took the lead in the first lap, settled in comfortably, executed the plan and got the win.”
In addition to O’Donoghue’s performance, senior Will Narramore suited up for High Point in the triple jump and set a new indoor PR of 14.39m (47-2.50). The mark earned Narramore a 12th-place finish in the competitive event.
Wrapping up action for the Panthers, sophomore James House raced in the 200m dash and finished 21st in 22.67 seconds.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – The men’s track & field team also sent a group of student-athletes to the JDL Fast Track to compete in the Camel City Classic Saturday.
In throws action, senior Jim Wilson finished 17th in the shot put with a season-best throw of 13.60m (44-7.50). Freshman Britton Mann placed 31st in 12.02m (39-5.25).
A pair of Panthers competed in the 200m dash Saturday. Freshman Sean Banda placed 27th in a time of 23.35 seconds while senior Andrew Kuras was 28th in 23.35 as well.
And in late Friday night action in the 3000m run, senior Benji Szalai placed 15th in 8:38.22, while redshirt-senior Jeff LaCoste finished 36th (8:55.63). Senior Cody Seymour was 42nd in 9:00.90.
HPU returns to action next weekend (Feb. 5-6) at the ETSU Buccaneer Invitational in Johnson City, Tenn.