University Park, Pa.- The University of Findlay track and field teams traveled to Penn State University to compete in the PSU National Open. The two-day meet began Friday, Jan. 30, and is being contested inside the Multi-Sport Facility and at the Horace Ashenfelter III Indoor Track. The event features top competition from across the nation, including Penn State, Army West Point, Maryland, Pittsburgh, and James Madison.

Notable Results
Women's

• Leah Smith (Jr.) put together an impressive day in the 60m, advancing through every round of the event. Smith qualified for the semifinals with a 7.55 in round one, followed by a 7.51 in the semis to earn a spot in the finals, where she placed third with a time of 7.48, meeting the NCAA provisional standard in all three races.
• Katharina Rupp (Fr.) delivered a strong performance in the 400m, finishing sixth overall with a time of 56.13. Her mark met the NCAA provisional standard, highlighting a standout effort in her first season.
  • Mary Ellis (Jr.) competed in the 400m and placed 10th with a time of 56.72. Zanri Black (So.) also raced in the event, finishing 24th with a time of 58.12.
• Helen Unger (So.) took 13th in the long jump with a distance of 5.53m. 

Men's

• KJ Upshaw (Sr.) advanced through all rounds of the 60m sprint, beginning with a 6.83 in round one to qualify for the semifinals. He followed with a 6.85 in the semis before finishing third in the finals with a time of 6.82, meeting the NCAA provisional standard in each race.
• Julian Griffin (Sr.) competed in the 60m hurdles, placing 12th in round one with a time of 8.32.
• Leyton Nossa (Sr.) recorded a runner-up finish in the weight throw with a mark of 20.61 meters, meeting the NCAA provisional standard and recording the nation's fifth-best throw this season.
  • Sophomore Charlie Schmiesing added an eighth-place finish in the event with a throw of 17.89 meters.
• Alex Mutchler (Sr.) recorded a runner-up finish in the pole vault with a mark of 5.10 meters, meeting the NCAA provisional standard and marking the ninth-best mark in the event this season.
  • Nathan Buschur (Jr.) followed with a third-place finish after clearing an NCAA provisional mark of 4.90 meters, while Panashe Chavi (Fr.) added an eighth-place showing with a mark of 4.75 meters.

Findlay will be back in action again tomorrow as they conclude the meet Saturday, Jan. 31.