Penn State’s sports seasons have been long over for most, but some athletes continued their performances far into the summer.
Ten Nittany Lions showcased their talents last week at the 2025 FISU World University Games in Germany, as they competed in events ranging from gymnastics to track and field.
Spencer Burke – USA fencing
Spencer Burke competed in men’s foil for the United States, but lost 5-1 in pool play. He then fell to Álmos Bálint 15-9 in the Table of 64.
Burke also competed for the men’s foil team, and although he won his bout against Mateusz Karol Kwiatkowski 5-2, the United States lost to Poland 45-43 in the Table of 16.
Yaroslav Muruhin – Ukraine fencing
Yaroslav Muruhin suited up for Ukraine in the men’s foil, going 3-3 in pool play. He earned a win in the Table of 64 with a 15-10 victory over Korea’s Hyeokjun Choi, but fell to Italy’s Tommaso Martini with a 15-14 loss in the Table of 32.
Muruhin came back for the men’s team foil on Saturday, and like the other two Penn Staters, opened the round. However, he lost 5-3 to Hungary’s Albert Bendegúz Bagdány as Ukraine fell 44-37.
Kamar Skeete – USA fencing
Kamar Skeete took the strip for the United States in the men’s sabre individual and team sabre, losing early in both with a 2-3 performance in pool play.
After the pool, Skeete was matched with Hong Kong’s Pak Lam Hugo Ho, who defeated him 15-11 in the Table of 64.
In the team competition, the United States faced Italy in the Table of 16. Skeete competed first against Cosimo Bertini, who took an early 5-0 lead for Italy, with the Italians ultimately winning 45-27.
Darius Smallwood – USA track and field
Darius Smallwood ran a season-low 1:52.68 in his sole race at the University Games.
Smallwood finished fifth in his heat — missing the automatic qualifier by one place — and finished 32nd overall.
Hayley Kitching – Australia track and field
After missing the entire 2025 spring season due to injury, three time Big Ten champion Hayley Kitching returned to the track last week.
Kitching finished in sixth place in the 800-meter prelims on Tuesday with a time of 2:03.35. In the semifinals on Wednesday, she ran 2:04.47 for 15th place, missing the automatic qualifier by four places and the time qualifier by 2.34 seconds.
The following day, Kitching competed as part of Australia’s 4×400-meter mixed relay. Kitching’s team ran 3:20.61 for fifth place and an automatic qualifier. Australia wound up finishing fifth in the finals with a 3:20.51.
Zoey Goldstein – USA track and field
Although Zoey Goldstein graduated in May, she took the track for Penn State on Thursday for a medal.
Goldstein competed in the mixed 4x400m with a 3:23.23 for sixth place in the prelims, followed by a 3:17.91 for bronze.
Jake Palermo – USA track and field
Freshman phenom Jake Palermo continued his breakout season in the University Games, where he competed in three events over the week.
Palermo opened the track competition with the men’s 400m prelims on Monday, where he ran a 46.56 for second in his heat and fifth overall. In Tuesday’s semis, Palermo ran 46.62 but was disqualified.
The Rochester, New York, native didn’t run in the prelims for the mixed 4x400m or the men’s 4x400m, but did participate in the finals, where he earned bronze with Goldstein.
Vitoria Santana – Brazil basketball
After one season suiting up for the Lady Lions, rising senior Vitoria Santana suited up for Brazil this summer.
Brazil went 0-3 in the preliminary round, losing to Hungary, Japan and Lithuania.
In the women’s 9-16 placing game against Romania, Santana’s squad won 86-65 behind her 14 points. Brazil lost 84-64 to Germany in the 9-12 placing game, and ultimately fell 83-78 to Chinese Taipei in the 11th place game.
Despite a 1-5 record throughout the tournament, Santana totaled 50 points, 11 rebounds, 10 assists, two blocks and a steal.
Kacper Garnczarek – Poland gymnastics
Kacper Garnczarek competed in all but one apparatus for Poland.
Garnczarek had his best placement in the horizontal bars, where he finished 23rd with a 13.000. He finished 24th in floor with a 13.133.
Ian Raubal – Switzerland gymnastics
Ian Raubal was the most successful of the two gymnasts, earning a bronze medal with Switzerland, which scored 239.162 points.
Raubal led the team with a 13.500 in the rings and tied with 13.866 on the parallel bars.
Individually, Raubal finished fourth in the parallel bars with a 13.900, competing 5.400 difficulty with 8.400 execution and a 0.100 bonus. He placed 19th in the all-around.
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