Team joins field of 30 for Penn State Invitational

The Virginia track and field team will compete in the Penn State National Invitational this weekend, with seniors Mark Amirault and Morgane Gay, two All-American cross country runners, making their season debut.

More than 30 teams and 1,000 student-athletes will join Amirault and Gay at University Park, Pa. today and Saturday, but Virginia and Duke will serve as the ACC's lone representatives in the field. The Cavaliers most recently competed in the Hokie Invitational Jan. 20-21, where they earned four top-two finishes. At Rector Fieldhouse, Virginia captured a one-two finish in the women's high jump, with junior Pearl Bickersteth claiming the win and sophomore Emily Kianka taking second place.

Sophomore Vanessa Fabrizio also placed second in the women's 800-meter run and currently ranks No. 7 nationally.

After this weekend's action, the Virginia team will split for four different meets Feb. 10 to 11 as it continues its indoor season.

-compiled by Ashley Robertson

Published January 27, 2012 in Sports