UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The Nittany Lion track and field teams will participate in hosting the annual Kevin Dare High School Invitational, Saturday at Ashenfelter III Indoor Track. More than 1,300 athletes from 50 high schools are set to compete with the events set to commence at 10:00 a.m. The Dare Invitational is named in memory of former Nittany Lion and State College.
As an accomplished and experienced pole-vaulter, Kevin James Dare loved to soar like an eagle. On Feb. 23, 2002, Kevin, a sophomore at Penn State, was competing at the Big Ten Men’s Indoor Track and Field Championships. Just before he went to make his first vault of the day, Kevin turned to his father, Ed, and said, “This is my day, Dad.” They were the last words that Kevin spoke before sprinting down the runway, planting his pole, and launching himself high into the sky.
Kevin hit his head on the metal planting box where he planted his pole and died more
