Janese Lynch of Neumann Goretti is tops in the state in the shot. She'll be one to watch at Burdette this weekend (Photo by Don Rich)
Monday 12/28: Robert J. Burdette Classic (Lehigh University - Philip Rauch Fieldhouse, Bethlehem, Pa.)
Burdette frequently serves as the first real good look we have at some of the best in the state going head-to-head. This year should be no different with some loaded fields across the board. It's easy to guess the state leaderboard will have a different look after Monday. Here's what to watch for at Lehigh in the girls' events:
Girls Relays: Susquehanna Township, which brings a myriad of sprints talent, will be heavily favored in the 4x200. The 4x400 should be interesting, though, with Susquehanna Township, Norristown, and North Penn expected to battle closely. In the SMR and 4x800, both North Penn (PA#1 4x800) and Penn Wood (PA#1 4x400) appear like they may be loading up. Seeing those two squads matchup should be fun, as both teams have plenty of talent. Wilson (3), Easton, and Villa Joseph Marie provide interesting sleeper picks. The DMR could also be fun, depending on who races what. PA#1 North Penn is entered, but so is crazy-deep Pennsbury, which is coming off a stellar XC season. Easton and Cardinal O'Hara can also put together a good distance medley.
Girls Sprints/Hurdles: Jayana Webb of Norristown comes in as the favorite in the 60 meter dash. She boasts a PA#1 55m and PA#2 60m. Susquehanna Township's Yasmin Brooks, fresh off a great meet at the Armory Hall of Fame meet last weekend, will be one to watch in the 60m hurdles. Taylar Dallas of Central, Erica Tarsi of Easton, and Jessica Milligan of Pennridge will also be in the field. The girls 200 is deep and fairly open, with Susquehanna Township's Alysha Evans, Norristown's Sheila Day, and Imhotep's Avani Dorsey among those looking to top CB East's Zea Morales' top state time in the event. Maddie Villalba of CB West is entered in the 400 meters (as well as the 200m). She leads another field that appears pretty open.
Girls Distance: A bunch of girls will be chasing the top time in the state in the 800. That one that holds that mark, Maddie Kole of Carlisle is entered in the field. She'll see tough competition from Pleasant Valley's Jenn Mickens and Pennsbury's Maddie Sauer, among others. Expect a sub-2:20 performance from someone. In the mile, we have a pair of runners making their indoor season debuts after solid XC campaigns. Cumberland Valley's Mady Clahane and Pennsbury's Hannah Molloy will both be looking for good races to start the season off well. In the 3000, Germantown Academy's Maggie Hallahan, after a strong race in NY last week, will race Forrest Hills' Tricia Varner, Pennsbury's Meri Twomey, and O'Hara's Elizabeth Mancini.
Girls Field: Moira O'Malley, PA#1 in the high jump for two straight weeks, will hope to keep it that way. The Souderton junior is the top seed in the event after clearing 5-5 a week ago. In the pole vault, North Pocono's Lucianne Burner, Liberty's Rachel Finn, and Easton's Greer Gumbrecht will square off, hoping for the win and a shot at the PA#1 mark. Janese Lynch of Neumann Goretti, put up the top mark in the state by over three feet two weeks ago and she returns to try and better her 44-7.75 PA#1 throw. The triple jump will pit a number of state podium threats against each other, with Greenburg Salem's Julia Howard, Girls' High's Asia Broadus, and North Penn's Allison Williams all entered.