Fast Times, Big Jumps In Happy Valley: Kevin Dare Invitational Recap


Kevin Dare Invitational - Boys' Recap

SPRINTS/HURDLES

Springfield (Delco)'s Philip Shovlin had a big day in the sprints, proving once again that he will be a serious factor on the state scene this season. Shovlin went 7.03 for the win in a close 60 meter final, edging out a pair of boys, including State College's Cohen Russell (third in PA#4 7.06). For Shovlin, it was a PR and PA#3.

Shovlin came back to take second in the 200 meters, running a time of 22.33 (PA#3). He won his heat, but the win went to Sweet Home (NY)'s Nathaniel Davis, who clocked a 21.73 for the win in the final section.

Penn Manor's Taraje Whitfield went 8.22 in the 60 meter hurdles to take the win. Whitfield now sits at PA#3 in the event.

Seydi Sall of Richard Montgomery won the 400 meters in a time of 49.78. Anderson Dimon of Pennridge was the top PA finisher, running a big PR and PA#4 50.44. Lex Forge of Conestoga was third in a PA#5 50.59.


DISTANCE

Making perhaps the biggest statement of the meet was Pottsville Area's Collin Ebling. The senior threw down a big final lap kick to run away with the 800 meter win in a PA#1 and US#4 time of 1:55.03, which is an all-conditions PR for him.

Ebling, who was 22nd at indoor states last winter, showed he will be a force to be reckoned with this winter. The race also produced five of the state's top six times. Richard Montgomery (MD)'s Garrett Suhr took second, while Wyomissing Area's Joe Cullen was third in 1:56.66 (PA#3), Pennridge's Matt Eissler was fourth in 1:57.34 (PA#4), Great Valley's Brett Zatlin was fifth in 1:57.82 (PA#5), and Mifflin County's Seth Phillips took sixth in 1:58.37 (PA#6).

Earlier in the day's Suhr won the mile in 4:22.95. Juniata's Garrett Baublitz put down a huge race to take second place. That's a nice indoor PR for the sophomore, who ran 4:19 for 1600 meters last spring.

Upper Dauphin's Brenden Miller used some unconventional race tactics to take the 3,000 meter win. Around the midway point, Miller, who was making his career indoor debut, made a decisive move on the lead pack to break away and he kept extending that gap. He crossed in 8:49.95, which is a PA#2 and US#2. Not bad for a debut. Phoenixville Area sophomore Carlos Shultz took second in a PA#6 time of 9:04.63.


FIELD

The pole vault heated up on Saturday, as a pair of the state's top vaulters when head-to-head. Ultimately, it was a big PR and PA#1 from Joe Jardine of Schuylkill Valley that earned him the victory. Jardine jumped 15-6, who jumped 15-3.5 at outdoor nationals this past summer, and that moved him into the state lead and US#11. East Pennsboro's Payton Morris took second with a jump of 15-0.

Coatesville's Naheem Moore had a big day in the triple jump. The junior leapt 45-5 for a new PA#2 to take the win. State College's Lance Hamilton took second with a PA#5 jump of 44-10.25 and Stanley Hamilton placed third in a PA#6 of 44-1.25 in what was a very competitive event. Stanley Hamilton also won the high jump with a clearance of 6-2.

Bradford Area's John Eakin won the shot put with a throw of 50-7.25. In his season debut, Eakin moves up to PA#5 in the state rankings. He edged out Somerset's Nick Hyde for the win, who threw a PA#8 49-10 for second.

Lampeter-Strasburg's Ezra Mellinger put together a strong performance in the long jump, leaping 22-0.5 for a new PA#4.


RELAYS

Seneca Valley proved it'll be a team to watch in the 4x800 meter relay. The Raiders, who were seventh at outdoor states this past spring in the event, dropped a quick time of 8:07.98 to run away with the victory. That's good enough for a new PA#2 (behind only US#1s Bishop Shanahan) and a new US#9.

New York ruled the day in both the 4x200 and 4x400 meter relays. Sweet Home claimed the 4x2 win in a time of 1:31.64, while Mount Vernon ran 3:28.20 to take the 4x4.

Pennridge was the top PA team in the 4x2, running a PA#3 time of 1:32.43. Wyomissing Area clocked a time of 3:31.55 in the 4x4 to move to PA#7.