GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Fresh off his 200-meter runner-up finish at the NCAA Indoor Track & Field Championships, Cheickna Traore ran past the competition this afternoon at the Florida Relays, taking first overall in his first outdoor 200-meter dash of the season with a school record-tying and Ivorian national record-setting 20.23 personal-best mark.
Along with Traore, two additional Nittany Lions recorded top-three program marks on day one in Florida. In the women’s hammer throw, Samaria McDonald improved her mark from her opener last weekend and posted a 211-01 (64.34m) best toss in her win. The mark is Penn State’s best in the hammer throw since 2006 and slots in as the No. 2 throw in school history. Finally, Hayley Kitching threw down a 4:14.75 in a second-place finish in the women’s 1500-meters, good for the third-best mark in school history.
TRACK EVENT SUMMARY
Penn State began its day on the track with Traore and Patrick Abel in the 200-meters. Following Traore’s win in 20.23, Abel placed 25th overall with a 21.42. Traore’s 20.23 mark tied the No. 2 mark in Division I this season, based on marks entering competition today.
In the 1500 meters, Kitching placed second with her 4:14.75 PR while Maddie Ullom finished right behind her in third with a 4:18.81. On the men’s side, Evan Dorenkamp began his 2024 campaign with a 3:42.19, finishing fourth overall and third among collegians in Florida. All three Nittany Lions will find their marks inside the top 25 in Division I this season once all results from today come in, with Kitching and Ullom’s marks likely in the top 15.
FIELD EVENT SUMMARY
McDonald was Penn State’s only participant in the field events on Friday, earning the win in the hammer throw with her 211-01 (64.34m) effort.
UP NEXT
The Nittany Lions continue competition in Florida tomorrow while the rest of the team wraps up competition at the Raleigh Relays later tonight.
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