WEST CHESTER, Pa. - Penn State Harrisburg's men's and women's track & field teams opened the 2024 outdoor campaign at a sopping wet Purple and Gold Invitational hosted by West Chester on Saturday, March 23.

Makayla Grace Weber had a strong start to her outdoor season, winning the 100m hurdles with a time of 16.99 seconds. Leah Gray was nearly victorious in the 100m, earning the runner-up spot thanks to an effort of 13.14 seconds. Steph Reider finished seventh in the discus, while fellow thrower Gabrielle Dietrich finished ninth in the same event.

The men also recorded a number of top-10 finishes, led by a victory by Paul Netland III in the 100m hurdles thanks to a time of 16.60 seconds. Zakareya Aidel secured a runner-up finish in the 400m hurdles with an effort of 1:04.74, while Angad Bhulllar's top toss of 12.70 meters was good enough to earn him a third-place finish in the event. Keegan Gray came home fifth in the 100m, Kadin Sodmont was eighth in the 400m, and Oluwa Kinti (fourth), Caleb Kending (seventh), Will Tyson (eighth), and Connor Daubert (ninth) all earned top-10 spots in the shot put. Fellow thrower Brayden Ehrenzeller also finished eighth in the javelin.

The Lions will hope for drier conditions when they return to action at the annual Twilight Meet hosted by York (Pa.) on Wednesday afternoon.