Franek qualifies for track worlds

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EUGENE, Ore. — Penn State’s Bridget Franek qualified for the World Track and Field Championships after a third-place finish at the U.S. championships Sunday.

Franek turned in a school-record time of 9 minutes, 36.74 seconds in the 3,000-meter steeplechase at Oregon’s historic Haywood Field. The result puts her on the U.S. team for the IAAF World Championships in Berlin, Germany, beginning Aug. 15.

“I felt really confident and I felt like I executed my race plan,” said the rising senior from Hiram, Ohio. “I felt stronger than I have all season, and it’s a dream come true.”

Franek finished only behind American record-holder Jennifer Barringer, who won the race in 9:29.38 and also captured the NCAA title two weeks ago, and former Michigan standout Anna Willard (9:35.01), who outdueled Franek over the final 300 meters for second.

Also Sunday, Penn State senior Gayle Hunter and assistant coach Gigi Johnson were forced to withdraw from the heptathlon with injuries. Hunter cleared 19 feet, 11 inches in the long jump and Johnson covered 19-8 before dropping out after five of the seven events.

MEN'S BASKEBALL

Battle tallies 10 points in U.S. loss to Serbia

BELGRADE, Serbia — Despite getting 10 points from Penn State’s Talor Battle, the United States University Games team was defeated 98-82 by the hosts in the Serbia International Invitational on Sunday.

Battle was one of four U.S. players to score in double figures. The guard went 3 of 9 from the field and 2 of 6 on 3-pointers. He had two rebounds and no assists or turnovers.

Ohio State’s Evan Turner led the U.S. (1-1) with 16 points and six rebounds.

Serbia improved to 2-0 in the round-robin invitational which concludes today. The U.S. takes on Russia before opening the World University Games play on Friday against Finland.