Distance shines at Day One of the Penn Relays

Thursday, April 26

Philadelphia, Pa.

All Day

Michigan State University

Penn Relays

Leah O'Connor placed first and earned a new personal-best in the Steeplechase.

4/27/2012 12:00:00 AM | Track and Field

April 27, 2012

PHILADELPIA, PA. - Leah O'Connor took first place in the College Women's 3000 Meter Steeplechase to lead Michigan State in Thursday action at the Penn Relays.

O'Connor's time of 10:25.65 was nearly a 25-second improvement over her time of 10:49.77 at the Spartan Invitational.

Josh McAlary represented the Spartans in the Men's 3000 Meter Steeplechase Championship, breaking the nine-minute barrier for the first time in his career. McAlary placed fourth - just behind Indiana's Andrew Poore, Temple's Travis Mahoney, and Texas A&M's Stephen Curry with a new personal-best of 8:58.68.

Another standout performance came from Sara Kroll who placed second in the College Women's 5000 Meter Championship, smashing her previous collegiate best of 16:40.38 (indoors) with 16:16:52. She was followed by Katie Haines in eighth (16:43.00) and Carlie Green in eleventh place at 16:45.63.

Rounding out women's distance was senior Rebekah Smeltzer, who took the top spot in the Olympic Development Women's 5000 meters with a time of 16:36.28.

Michigan State Individual Results:

Olympic Development Women's 5000m
Place/Name/Time
1^st - Rebekah Smeltzer (16:36.28)
8^th - Julia Otwell (16:51.10)

College Men's 3000m Steeplechase Championship
Place/Name/Time
4^th - Josh McAlary (8:58.68)

College Women's 5000m Championship
Place/Name/Time
2^nd - Sara Kroll (16:16.52)
8^th - Katie Haines (16:43.00)
11^th - Carlie Green (16:45.63)

College Women's 3000m Steeplechase
Place/Name/Time
1^st - Leah O'Connor (10:25.65)