UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Junior pole vaulter DJ Horton (Kane, Pa./Kane Area) cleared 4.95 meters to finish fourth overall, highlighting the return for the IUP men's and women's track & field teams on the first day of the Penn State National Open Friday.
 
The height (16-02.75) was a season-best for Horton, who cleared the height on his second attempt. He was unable to get over 5.10 meters in three attempts. Matthew Ludwig from Akron won the event with a mark of 5.66 meters.
 
RELATED | Live link for Penn State National Open results

Friday marked the first day back for the Crimson Hawks since the start of December. The Crimson Hawks not only open 2018 with the Penn State National Open, but will also compete at the SPIRE Midwest Open in Geneva, Ohio on Saturday.
 
Also competing on Friday night were Elizabeth Coppella and Raven Russell (Pittsburgh, Pa./Woodland Hills). Coppella did not record a height in the women's pole vault and Russell ran a 7.91 in the women's 60 meters, the 23rd fastest time in the first round of the event.
 
Up next
IUP athletes will compete on the second day of both the Penn State National and SPIRE Midwest Open on Saturday. Both meets will begin in the morning.
 
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For up-to-date meet information, visit www.IUPAthletics.com and follow IUP track & field on Twitter @IUPCrimsonHawk and @ IUPtrack_XC.