Villanova Finishes Third, Penn State Claims Penn Relays Championship Wheel
PHILADELPHIA, PA 4/29/2023 –
After finishing in the back of the pack in the Distance Medley Relay, the Wildcats wanted to improve their performance in the 4 x 800 relay. Villanova got a third place finish running the distance in 8:30.42. Penn State pulled away in the third leg and cruised to a victory in a time of 8:23.81. Wisconsin was second posting a 8:28.50 time.
The result represented an improvement for the Wildcats. The team ran their race the way they wanted to run.
“We definitely talked about going out strong and setting up everyone for success for the next leg,” said Nova runner Madison Martinez. “I think we did that pretty well. We stayed towards the front of the race which was great. I think we executed well, and we’re happy with a third place finish.”
“Yesterday was yesterday’s race,” said Micah Trusty. “So coming in today we treated it as a new race and new opportunity.”
The top three finishers stayed in their position for most of the race, each getting a lead. Villanova was ahead in the second leg behind a 2:08.35 split by Trusty. But the Nittany Lions Allison Johnson caught her, and went to the front passing the baton to the third leg. Johnson ran a 2:06.34 followed by a 2:06.20 by Hayley Kitching to take control of the race.
Villanova ran well, as did Wisconsin. Penn State was better winning by over 4 seconds.
Alex Stasichin led off running her leg in 2:05.74, the fastest split for the Wildcats. Micah Trusty took the lead in her run, but could not keep it, and ran a 2:08.35. Maya Dorer turned in a time of 2:07.39. Martinez anchored hitting the tape in 2:08.96.
The younger Wildcats picked up valuable Penn Relays experience.
“The Penn Relays is just another race where we get to put ourselves out there and run the best we can,” said Stasichin. “You know the prestige of the Penn Relays. Getting to win or placed here is just incredible.”
For Stasichin the fans and alumni, and their reaction was “really alive,”
Written By: Glenn Papazian
Contact: Glenn@PhillyCollegeSports.com
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