Leonard Stephan Invitational - Meet Preview
GIRLS' PREVIEW
Jane Livingston of Conestoga Valley will continue her success in the hurdles this weekend at West Lawn. Currently in the 100m hurdles, she is ranked 5th in the state. We will see how her times stack up after this big weekend. Sammy Kauffman of Wilson will not be too far behind Livingston in this event. In the 300m hurdles, Livingston (PA #5) and Kauffman will return to race, joined by Arianna Eberly of Coatesville.
Also in the sprints, look for Porsha Miles of Coatesville to run a fast time in the 200m . She is currently ranked 10th in the state with her early season success. Miles will most likely join her teammates for some success in the relays this weekend as well.
In the 800m, expect a good race between Makayla Eberly of Coatesville and Sarah Crissman of Fleetwood. Eberly has run 2:19 thus far this season and will hopefully push the pace for both girls to get under 2:20 this weekend. Watch Eberly's win in the 800 at Rustin from last week above. In the 400m, Crissman returns to face Sammie Miller of Coatesville.
We should see some fast times in the distance events at West Lawn. The 3200m will be competitive between Brooke Hutton of Coatesville and Rebecca Snyder of Oley Valley. Snyder will also run the 1600m, where she is the top seed.
In the triple jump this weekend, look for Caroline Billone of Coatesville to post a top performance. She is ranked 5th in the state currently with a jump of 37 ft. 4 in. Also watch for Madison McTier of Freedom who will not be too far behind Billone in the triple. Billone is also the top seed in the long jump.
At the state meet last year in AA high jump, Tori Stembridge of Wyomissing Area performed very well. She is the top seed going into this weekend at Leonard Stephen, and will be looking to make her way into the state rankings. Stembridge will face competition from Coatesville's high jumper, Arianna Eberly.
Shot put should be competitive between Coatesville's Morgan Darby and Olivia Roth of Schuylkill Valley
BOYS' PREVIEW
For the sprints, look for Coatesville's Terrance Laird and Eric Kirk to post fast times this weekend. In the 100m, Laird still holds the fastest time in the state this season. Kirk is also ranked in the top 10 and will not be far behind Laird. Both boys are also a part of the number 1 ranked 4 by 100m relay as well. Also in the sprints, Angel Martinez of Wilson will battle Muhlenberg's Najee Smith in the 200m.
In the 110m and 300m hurdles, be sure to watch Aanyah Bermudez of Conestoga Valley. Bermudez is currently ranked 5th in the state in the 300m and 4th in the 110s. We will see how his performances rank in the state after this weekend. In the 300m hurdles, he will face some competition from Alex Cluff of Wilson.
In the 800m, don't miss Joe Cullen of Wyomissing Area. He was fifth at indoor states this winter with a time of 1:55.79, and will most likely post a fast time this weekend. In the 1600m, there should be a good match up between Jake Underwood of Wilson and Dominic Derafelo of Boyertown.
Pole vaulter Joe Jardine of Schuyykill Valley will also be one to check out this Saturday. Jardine was state champion in AA pole vault in 2016. We will see how his vault this weekend ranks among the state's best.
Jardine will also long jump where he will face tough competition from Jose Barbon of Conestoga Valley, who will be trying to better his season best of 22 feet even. In the triple jump, expect top performances from Coatesville's Naheem Moore, who has jumped 46 ft. 5 in. this season. Dustin Brown of Schuylkill Valley will not be far behind Moore when they hit the sand.
Also in the field, look for a battle for first place in high jump between Kwislay Montinard of Conrad Wiser and Valiant McKee of Coatesville. McKee jumped 6 ft. 4 inches in a dual meet this week, ranking him as one of the top high jumpers in the state. However, Montinard is the top seed going into the meet, so there is no telling who will take the win.
Expect Evan Gianetti of Boyertown to put up a good throw in the javelin.
-Abby Huber