Photo by Don Rich
AA Girls' Discus Preview
In 2016, current University of Pennsylvania standout Maura Kimmel, then with Moniteau, edged out Hickory's Tori McKinley for the AA state title in the discus. McKinley, who won the disc as a sophomore, will look to come back as a senior and reclaim that top spot. But a pair of girls right around the 150 foot mark will give her a great challenge in what should be a very close competition.
At the District 2 Championships, Emily Johns of Lake Lehman tossed a big PR of 150-2 to take the win. That throw put her at PA#1 and the top seed entering the weekend. Johns, a Harvard recruit, moves from AAA to AA for this season and she'd love to leave with a state title.
But perhaps no one wants a state title more than Neumann Goretti's Janese Lynch. She has a number of runner-up finishes at state meets, but is yet to get that elusive state title. Lynch has been having a very strong season in the discus, throwing a PR of 149-5 at the Penn Relays to finish sixth overall. After winning the District 12 title, she noted she wants 160, so look for a motivated Lynch this weekend.
McKinley, meanwhile, tossed the disc 154 feet in a dual meet a few weeks ago. She PR'd in the shot put at District 10 and will be looking to sweep the shot and discus this weekend.
Burrell's Elizabeth Weimer came away from the WPIAL Championships with a season best of 138-7, just off her PR. She was fourth last year and could definitely improve upon that with another good day. Lewisburg's Kate Allred is another returning medalist. She's fresh off her second straight District 4 win.
South park sophomore Maura Huwalt, Punxatawney's Sam Dyson, and Hickory's Michaela Burkhauser will be in the mix for medals in this deep field.
Entries:
Event 217 Girls Discus Throw AA (27)
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NFHS Record: 191-06 2012 Shelbi Vaughan, MansfieldLegacyHS, TX
PIAA Record: 162-10 1997 Heather Coyler, East Juniata 3
NFHS Hnr Rol: 150-00
113-00 SQS
Name Year School Seed Mark Finals
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1 Johns, Emily 12 Lake Lehman 02 150-02 SQS
2 McKinley, Tori 12 Hickory 10 146-02 SQS
3 Weimer, Elizabeth 12 Burrell 07 138-07 SQS
4 Lynch, Janese 12 Nmnn Goretti 12 137-08 SQS
5 Huwalt, Maura 10 South Park 07 132-02 SQS
6 Dyson, Sam 11 Punxsutawney 09 131-05 SQS
7 Burkhauser, Michaela 11 Hickory 10 129-00 SQS
8 Colon, Cassandra 11 Nmnn Goretti 12 123-00 SQS
9 Green, Emma 10 No Schuylkill 11 120-10 SQS
10 Allred, Kate 11 Lewisburg 04 119-11 SQS
11 Karnish, Brenna 12 Marian Cath 11 119-02 SQS
12 Audley, Anna 12 Bshp Guilfyle 06 116-09 SQS
13 Parker, Megan 12 Mercer Area 10 116-06 SQS
14 Page, Adrian 11 Coudersport 09 116-03 SQS
15 Mears, Taylor 11 Hickory 10 114-06 SQS
16 Kerr, Ashley 12 Eastern York 03 114-05 SQS
17 McDonald, Kara 12 Derry Area 07 113-03 SQS
18 Obenrader, Tori 11 North Clarion 09 113-01 SQS
19 James, Jane 11 Warrior Run 04 112-10
20 Lehman, Alicia 10 Keystone Oaks 07 112-00
21 Bisignani, Mikayla 12 Greensburg CC 07 111-03
22 Peppernick, Elizabeth 12 Fannett-Metal 05 111-02
23 McGuire, Victoria 11 Upper Dauphin 03 110-03
24 Demetrius, Sabrina 12 Dock Menn 01 109-09
25 Krug, Brittany 12 Bshp Carroll 06 106-06
26 Cecere, Courtney 12 Forest Hills 06 104-08
27 Loughney, McKenna 12 Bish McDevitt 12 98-01