Karns City senior Becca Pennington poses with her medal after placing eighth in the 3,200-meter run at the Butler Invitational on a frigid Friday night. Pennington is a warm-blooded runner, but despite the cold, she broke school records in both the 3,200 and 1,600.

BUTLER TWP — Becca Pennington's teeth chattered as she began the 3,200-meter run late Friday night at the Butler Track and Field Invitational in plunging temperatures.

Pennington, a Karns City senior, is longing for the hot and humid days ahead.

She's a warm-blooded runner. The frigidness of this spring has hamstrung the standout distance runner.

“I hate the cold,” Pennington said, still shivering after placing eighth in the 3,200. “Any time it's cold, it just completely drains me. And as a distance runner, it really hurts, especially all the time we have to spend in (the cold).”

Pennington, though, shrugged off the chilly air and snapped a pair of Karns City school records in the process.

She finished the 3,200 with a time of 11 minutes, 32.01 seconds and the 1,600-meter run with a mark of 5:25.99 to set school standards.

Pennington has her sights set on the PIAA Track and Field Championships this season.

Her showing at the Butler Invitational with two school records is a great start.

Read more about Pennington in Monday's Butler Eagle.