Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell Track's Heitzman, Casalnova Head to Oregon for USA National Championships
6/22/2011 8:00:00 AM | Men's Track and Field
June 22, 2011
LEWISBURG, Pa. - Bucknell's Ted Heitzman (Elysburg, Pa./Southern Columbia) capped off his collegiate season with an All-American performance at the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships two weeks ago. The rising senior is continuing his summer this weekend at the USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships in Eugene, Ore., where he will compete in the javelin at 5:35 p.m. on Friday. Also making an appearance at Oregon's Hayward Field is Hana Casalnova (Grove City, Pa./Grove City), who will race at 800 meters at the USA Junior National Championships at 2:35 p.m. the same day.
Heitzman became Bucknell's first All-American since 1996 earlier this month when he finished sixth in the javelin at the NCAA Championships. The native of Elysburg, Pa., finished with a throw of 236 feet, 7 inches, just over a foot off his personal best. Heitzman's longest career throw of 237-8 came at the Bison Outdoor Classic, giving him the school record as well as the Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium high mark. He also set the Patriot League Championships record (232-4) on his way to the gold medal earlier this spring.
"Ted has had one of those dream seasons, capping with his All-American performance at NCAAs," said head coach Kevin Donner. "Competing at the USATF National Championships against future Olympians and World Championship performers will give him tremendous experience as he heads into the 2012 Olympic year and his senior year."
In nine meets this season, Heitzman has finished among the top six every time out. Maintaining that streak on Friday will be a tough order as he will go up against the best the country has to offer. Leading the field is Corey White, who has the best throw in the country this spring at 268-0. Heitzman is seeded No. 24.
Casalnova capped off her first season in the Orange and Blue with a fourth-place finish in the 800 at the Patriot League Championships. The rookie's time of 2 minutes, 11.29 seconds was a season-best and nearly three seconds faster than her previous top mark. She also medaled as part of the second-place 4x800 relay and the third-place 4x400 at the league meet before earning All-East honors as part of the 4x800 team that placed fourth at the ECAC Championships.
"Hana really closed out her season with some fast times in early May. The long indoor and outdoor season did not wear her down physically or mentally, and we decided to run the Junior National Championships," said Donner. "She has had a long layoff since the ECAC Championships in mid-May. However, she did have a good race in an age-group meet a couple weeks ago and some very solid time trials along the way. I believe she will be very competitive in Eugene."
To be eligible for the junior championships, athletes must be a U.S. citizen, at least 14 years of age and not turn 20 years old during 2011 and meet the qualifying standard.
Casalnova is seeded 14th with a qualifying time of 2:11.29. Kenyetta Iyevbele of North Carolina State University holds the top spot (2:04.83).
Live television coverage of the national championship meet will begin at 11 a.m. ET on Friday on ESPN2, and will continue at 3 p.m. (Universal) and 5 p.m. (NBC) on Saturday and Sunday.
