Photo by Phil Grove
MileSplit Schloastic Showcase - Girls' Preview
Hickory's Tori McKinley returns to the circle for the first time since she went PA#1 in both the shot put and the weight throw. She'll contest both of those events on Sunday. McKinley will matchup with Ohio's Madison Pollard---currently US#4 in the shot put and US#7 in the weight---in what should be a good test before the PA indoor state meet.
In the 60 meters, we'll see the South Fayette duo of Amanda Oliver and Rachel Schumann in what is a very fast field. The pair both ran 7.73 at SPIRE back in January and they'll return looking for even faster times. After conversions, they both sit at PA#4.
Photo by Phil Grove
Oakland Catholic's Jayla Ellis is the top PA entry in the 60-meter hurdles. Ellis has been very strong in the hurdles this season. At YSU, she ran a PA#4 (after conversions) 8.91. PA#7 Melina Owens of North Allegheny is also entered. Ellis is entered in the 200 meters and long jump as well.
The girls' distance events should heat up the track on Sunday. Oakland Catholic's Lauren Finikioits has been consistent this season and she'll return to the 1600 meters this weekend. She's at PA#13 when you convert her 1600 time to the mile. Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic's Rylee Kopchak is also in the field.
Photo by Phil Grove
In the 800 meters, McConnellsburg's McKenzie Gelvin, South Fayette's Rachel Helbling, Greensburg Salem's Malia Anderson, Greensburg Central Catholic's Moira O'Shea are some of the top names to watch for. In the 3200 meters, Vincentian Academy's Marianne Abdalah and North Hills' Ava Pietryzk are are pair of PA runners that will be chasing Abigail Green, the top seed and Foot Locker finalist from this past fall.
In the 400 meters, watch for Gelvin (PA#12) and Villa Maria's Grace Brown, who is currently ranked 24th in PA.