Lewisburg, PA – The Penn State Harrisburg men's and women's track teams had to step up their efforts this weekend at the Bison Open hosted by Bucknell University.   Even with a field consisting of mostly Division I and II programs, the Lions were not timid and showed they could compete with the higher level programs in a strong weekend outing.  

On the men's side the 4x400m relay team was able to set a personal best with a time of 3:31.57.  Josiah Owhe (Westbury, N.Y. / Westbury) qualified for the Capital Athletic Conference Championship (CAC) with his sixth place finish in the long jump. While Joseph Phifer (Union, N.J / Union) continued to shine for the Blue and White in the 800 meter.  Phifer finished fifth place with a personal best time of 1:59.59.

The Blue and White women did not have as many athletes compete, but were able to still come out of the weekend with a couple nice results.  The women's 4x400 meter relay earned the right to compete in the CAC Championships with their time of 4:32.39   Individually Kaitlin Gould (Camp Hill, Pa. / Cedar Cliff) finished tenth in the pole vault.

Coach Lynch, formally a coach at Bucknell, was happy with her return to the university with her new team.  "I am proud of our teams and their effort at the Bison Open and Multi.  This was our first Division one track and field meet experience and our teams impressed me with their composure and effort. Our women's 4x400 meter relay qualified for the CAC Championship while our men's 4x4oo meter improved their CAC qualifying time. Josiah Owhe, who tied for 6th overall in the men's long jump, also qualified for the CAC Championship. Joseph Phifer placed 5th overall in the men's 800 meter and improved his CAC qualifying time.  Several other student athletes are on the verge of qualifying for the CAC Championship."

The Lions continue their road to the CAC Indoor Championships next weekend when they travel to Christopher Newport for the Vince Brown Invitational.