Photo by Kathy Leister
Mars Invitational - Meet Recap
GIRLS' RECAP
Avonworth/Northgate's Hunter Robinson just won't stop impressing. The junior added another two wins to her resume this weekend, winning both the 200 and 400 meters at Mars. In the 200 meters, Robinson took over the PA#1 spot over Harrisburg's Ty'Asia Dansbury by a mere .01 seconds. In the 400, she broke a four-year-old meet record, running 55.96 for the win.
For a second straight week, Hickory's Tori McKinley put on a show in the throws. The senior won the shot put (47-4) and the discus (a meet record 146-5). Both throws are just off her season bests in both events, but show the consistency that could turn her into a double state champ come late May.
Oakland Catholic's Lauren Finikiotis took the win in the 1600 meters in a time of 5:03.96. In the 800 meters, Pine-Richland's Amanda Kalin was a runaway winner, clocking a time of 2:17.02 for the victory. Vincentian Academy's Marianne Abdalah went PA#7 to win the 3200 meters in a time of 11:01.44.
Hickory's Heather Grober won the 300 meter hurdles in 45.62, just off her own PA#9. North Hills' Amberly Valeriano claimed another win on the season, winning the 100 hurdles in 15.05. She also took first in the long jump with a leap of 17-4.
Hickory took first in both the 4x100 (49.44) and the 4x400 (4:02.94).
BOYS' RECAP
Bishop McCourt's Jacob Schulte won a close one in the 1600 meters, clocking a 4:26.03 for the win. Cathedral Prep's Derek Jones won the 800 meters in 1:56.49. Mars freshman Zachary Leachman claimed the win in the 3200 meters, running 9:45.69 for the win. Seneca Valley ran a PA#12 7:57.28 to win the 4x800 meter relay and set a new meet record.
Another freshman, Luke Meckler of Pine-Richland, won the 300 hurdles in a time of 40.07.
The Hickory boys cleaned up in the sprints. Dozie Ezi-Ashi won the 100 meters (11.23) and the 200 meters (22.76), while William Gruber took first in the 400 meters in 50.57. They also won the 4x100 in 43.09. In the 110 hurdles, Hickory's Caleb Gagliardi won in 15.58.
In the throws, we saw a great dual in the discus. Seneca Valley's Zach Gehm unleashed a massive PR of 180-3 to take the win. That also moves him all the way up to PA#5. Cathedral Prep's Nolan Landis was second with a throw of 177-2, just off his season best. Hickory's Tyler Bishop won the shot put with a toss of 53-0.75.