FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Penn State’s 1,600-meter relay team of freshman Brannon Kidder, junior Brandon Bennett-Green, freshman Za’Von Watkins and sophomore Robby Creese earned All-America honors on Friday, placing second at the NCAA Indoor Championships at the University of Arkansas.
The team’s effort was the highest finish in the event in program history, as well as Penn State’s second-straight runner-up standing in the relay at NCAA indoors, having finished second in the 4x400-meter relay in 2012.
The quartet held their own among the nation’s best, crossing the finish line in 9:34.00 — just off of regional rival Princeton, who took top honors in 9:33.01. The Nittany Lions also led the way for a stellar effort from the Big Ten, which included the Nittany Lions in second, Minnesota in third, and Indiana in fourth.
Kidder, who was one of just two freshman of the opening leg, proved to be one to watch in the coming years, fending off furious charges from several opponents over the final lap of the 1200-meter opener, giving the Nittany Lions the advantage going into the 400-meter carry, thanks to a 1200 split of 2:55.17. Bennett-Green would keep the competition at bay on the quarter leg, splitting an impressive 46.55, officially, to give the stick to Watkins on the 800-meter portion.
