Elite eight for Piccirillo, Knibb gets throwing trifecta

Villanova star celebrates 4x1,500 title, giving her eight career Championship of America titles at Penn Relays; Florida State senior breaks her own Jamaican national discus mark on final throw

By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor

Angel Piccirillo became the most decorated performer in women's collegiate history Friday at the 123rd Penn Relays, but the Villanova standout had to share the spotlight with another senior star, Florida State's Kellion Knibb.

Piccirillo joined Bella Burda, Nicole Hutchinson and Siofra Cleirigh-Buttner in helping Villanova secure its second straight title in the women's 4x1,500 relay Championship of America and 11th in program history, edging Stanford by a 17:25.85 to 17:27.47 margin.

After redshirting last year because of plantar fasciitis, Piccirillo returned to Franklin Field to pick up her second win in as many days and secure the eighth championship watch of her collegiate career, breaking a tie with former Villanova stars Kathy Franey (1986-90) and Michelle Bennett (1988-91).

"Over the years, I've had so many teammates who I've loved like sisters and these girls are no exceptions," Piccirillo said. "It just makes it special every time because every time the chemistry is different and what we're up against is different, the circumstances are different, but it's always for Villanova. There is so much heart and so much dedication on our team and I think that's what really makes it special to see every girl put everything they have on the track for each other and for our school.

"This is the only time (these relays) happen and that's really special. It's been an honor and a privilege and I'm going to miss it. But I'm glad to be back on the track, winning with the girls, where I feel like I belong."

Knibb became only the third female in meet history to win at least three women's collegiate discus throw titles, improving on her own Jamaican national record and meet standard with a final-round mark of 203-7 (62.07m).

"It's great to do it in front of a crowd of Jamaicans. You look up on the hill and there were more Jamaican fans than there were Americans. It was a really good vibe and I'm just glad I did it here," Knibb said. "It gave me a vibe of home, so it made me more comfortable to compete. I was more relaxed and I think that's what helped me throw so well today."

The top four athletes were all Jamaicans, with Florida State's Gleneve Grange placing fourth at 183 feet (55.78m). Isheka Binns (183-10/56.05m) and Venique Harris (183-3/55.87m) of UWI Mona took second and third, with Oklahoma redshirt junior Jessica Woodard -- the college shot put champion Thursday -- the top American after finishing fifth with a throw of 178 feet (54.27m).

Knibb boasts the top four throws in meet history and the became the first athlete to repeat since North Carolina's Jocelyn White in 2007-08. She improved from her 202-1 (61.59m) performance April 22 at the Cardinal Classic to elevate to No. 13 in the world this year.

South Carolina also continued its impressive showcase in the field events, with junior Yann Randrianasolo winning the long jump with a leap of 25-5.50 (7.76m) to follow the women's victory Thursday by Rougui Sow with an effort of 20-8.5 (6.31m).

Josh Awotunde produced a lifetime-best mark of 65-6 (19.96m) to win the college men's shot put for the Gamecocks.

Senior Dannielle Gibson became the first female athlete from Penn State to win the college women's triple jump with a first-round performance of 43-6 (13.26m).

San Diego State also made history by winning its first relay in any event at Franklin Field, clocking 54.34 in the college women's 4x100-meter shuttle hurdles.

Andranette Knight, Sierra Brabham-Lawrence, Micha Auzenne and Kassidy Ellis secured the victory over South Carolina (54.40). Auzenne and Brabham-Lawrence returned less than 30 minutes later to qualify for the 100 hurdles final Saturday by clocking 13.44 and 13.51 in the prelims, with Oregon's Alaysha Johnson leading all qualifiers at 13.05, despite taking a tumble across the finish line.

With defending-champion Houston unable to fill a full lineup, Division 2 East Stroudsburg of Pennsylvania won its first men's 4x110 shuttle hurdles title at 58.63.