Borchers ready for Big Ten and NCAA Indoor Track Championships

Running in the Husky Classic at the University of Washington in Seattle last week, local track star Sam Borchers, a Sophomore at Penn State, won his heat in the 800 meters in a time of 1:48.90. According to the Website Go PSU Sports, this is the fastest time in the Big Ten this season, and the fourth-best mark ever run by a Nittany Lion indoors. His time provisionally qualifies him for NCAA Indoor Championships on March 14 and 15 at College Station Texas. The Big Ten Indoor championships will be held on Feb. 28 and March 1 on the Penn State track.

Borchers, who normally competes in the 1500 meters and mile, has performed well in the 800 meters in the past. Last year, as a Freshman, he came from behind to beat the field by a meter at the Pepsi Team Challenge outdoors at the University of Oregon. <<Watch video>>

In a two week period near the start of the indoor season last year, Borchers set a Penn State indoor record for 1000 meters (2:22.42) and the mile (4:01.98). In a very strategic race, he won the 1500 meters at the Big Ten Outdoor Championship. He is the reigning Big Ten 1500 meter champion. <<Watch video>>