PENN STATE TRACK & FIELD LAUNCHES INDOOR SEASON WITH HISTORIC PERFORMANCES AND UNSTOPPABLE MOMENTUM

THE PRESS CENTER | THE NITTANY LEAK | SPORTS

DECEMBER 7 2025 at 5:33 PM

The Nittany Lions didn’t just open their indoor season—they announced their arrival with authority. Across three meets in Boston, Bucknell, and Penn, Penn State athletes shattered personal records, climbed the program’s all-time lists, and claimed 12 event victories in just two days. This wasn’t simply a start—it was a statement.

✨ Historic Marks, Personal Bests, and Program Records

• Ada Rand blazed through the women’s 3K in Boston with a 9:06.18, the second-fastest time in school history, finishing fourth overall and crushing her previous best by nine seconds.
• Tayissa Buchanan delivered one of the weekend’s defining moments, winning the 800m in 2:02.67—a nearly four-second improvement and the second-fastest mark ever at Penn State.
• Charlotte Costich ran the race of her life in the women’s 5K, clocking 15:49.68 for the third-fastest time in program history, slashing over a minute off her prior best.
• Nick Sloff powered through the men’s 5K with a 13:45.36, the second-fastest in school history, shaving four seconds off his PR.

These performances weren’t just fast—they were transformational, rewriting the record books and proving Penn State’s athletes are ready to compete at the highest level.

🏆 Event Dominance Across Three Meets

Penn State athletes didn’t stop at records—they owned the podiums:

• Pentathlon Queen: Maddie Pitts defended her title at the Penn Opener, winning four of five events and surpassing her previous score.
• Field Event Firepower: Lizzie Schreiber set a meet record in the long jump (19-7.50 / 5.98m) and added a runner-up finish in the triple jump.
• High Jump Sweep: Robert Allen, Trip Campbell, and Timothy Watson went 1-2-3 in Bucknell’s men’s high jump.
• Throws Excellence: Alex Pancoast broke into the program’s top 10 in the weight throw (62-3.00 / 18.97m), while Collin Burkhart and Sam Engebretson dominated the men’s weight throw with a 1-2 finish.
• Pole Vault Power: Meredith Baham and Amelia McBain went 1-2 in the women’s pole vault, while Tristan McGarrah tied for first in the men’s vault.
• Sprint Brilliance: Addyson White won the women’s 60m with a PR (7.59), while newcomer Scotty Coffi finished second in his first collegiate 60m (6.78).
• Shot Put Strength: Gabby Cope (49-0.75 / 14.95m) and Sam Engebretson (57-1.50 / 17.41m) both claimed victories with personal bests.

Across every discipline—sprints, distance, jumps, throws, and multi-events—the Nittany Lions proved their depth and determination.

🔥 The Bigger Picture

• Total Wins: 12 event victories across three meets.
• Program Impact: Four top-five all-time marks and one new top-10 entry.
• Momentum: Multiple athletes achieved personal bests, signaling growth and readiness for championship-level competition.

This weekend wasn’t just about medals—it was about belief. Every PR, every record, every victory reinforced the message: Penn State Track & Field is building something unstoppable.

SOURCE CREDIT: GOPSUSPORTS.COM