University Park, Pa. — Thanks to a conference-leading effort in the javelin last weekend, senior Karlee McQuillen (Johnstown, Pa.) has been named Big Ten Athlete of the Week, announced by conference offices on Wednesday. McQuillen took second-place overall, and finished as the top collegian in the field, last Saturday at Florida Relays on the campus of the University of Florida. The honor is the second of McQuillen's career, and the first of the 2011 season.
The senior launched a season-best throw of 160-0 (48.78) in Gainesville, good for runner-up honors on the day, as well as the fourth-farthest effort in the East Region, and 12th-best mark in Division I. McQuillen led an outstanding overall effort by the Nittany Lions in the event, with freshman Laura Loht (McClure, Pa.) placing third in her first-ever Nittany Lion appearance with a toss of 151-5 (46.15), with fellow rookie Kaitchen Dearborn (New Milford, Pa.) capturing fifth with a throw of 148-11 (45.38) - collegiate PRs for both athletes.
The Nittany Lions will be in action again this weekend, traveling to the Patriot Open Invitational at George Mason University. Action is slated for Saturday, April 9.