NBNI - Boys' Field/Multis Preview
Pentathlon
One of the top matchups of the weekend comes in the pentathlon between a pair of Pennsylvania athletes. It's time for the long awaited Ayden Owens vs. Kyle Garland in the pent. It's going to be a good one.
Garland, from Germantown Academy, comes in as the defending national champion. He set the junior class national record last winter at NBNI, scoring 4,150 points for the win. He has, however, battled injuries that held him out of the USATF Indoor Champs and the indoor state meet. Questions loom about his health, but Garland is inarguably one of the best of all-time and he'll be a factor.
Owens, from North Allegheny, was third a year ago, though he's really stepped up his game in a variety of events since last winter. Owens is US#2 and PA state champ in the 60-meter hurdles. He also took second in the long jump and 200 meters at the state meet.
Both boys are tremendous talents that will make the pent one of the "can't miss" events of the weekend. The national record is 4,307 points. Could it possibly take something better than that to win?
The Malvern Prep duo of David Bolles and Sebastian Costantini are also entered.
High Jump (Sat. 3/10, 5pm)
PA has a strong contingent of high jumpers set for Saturday. At the top is Kyle Garland of Germantown Academy. It's a busy weekend for Garland. The high jump is arguably his best event. He jumped 6-11 earlier in the season. Despite injury, Garland will look to get back to that mark and try and threaten 7 feet.
PA#2 Jordan Winslow of Milton Hershey, PA#3 Jonathon Squadrito of LaSalle, and Anthony Jones of Bangor Area are also in the field.
Pole Vault (Sat. 3/10, 12pm)
State champion Payton Morris of East Pennsboro returns to the runway to close out his indoor career. Morris has jumped 16 feet or better in his last four meets, which included a Millrose victory and a state title. He enters the weekend at US#15.
PA#2 Joe Jardine of Schuylkill Valley and PA#4 Charles Dever of West Chester Rustin are also entered.
State runner up Caleb Johnson of Germantown Academy (T-PA#2) is entered in the Emerging Elite section.
Long Jump (Sat. 3/10, 12pm)
George Washington's Edner Dorwil and Schuylkill Valley's Brendan Sparr are entered in the long jump championship section.
Dorwil has been strong all season in the event, which culminated with a state title at Penn State a few weeks ago. Dorwil's leap of 22-11.75 at states was a career best. Sparr, a multi-time outdoor state champ was seventh in a competitive state meet. His season best is 23-2.
Triple Jump (Sun. 3/11, 10am)
A lot of PA talent will head to the Armory in the long jump. The state champ, Treyvon Ferguson of Milton Hershey will headline this field. Ferguson pulled out a big leap of 48-10 to take home the state title and a new indoor career best.
Imhotep's Akeem Cooper, who was third at states, is also in the field, looking to improve upon his 48-1.25 jump from states. Also in the field is Ahmir Johnson of Wissahickon, who missed the indoor state meet due to injury. But Johnson, whose season best is 48-5.75, is back for this weekend.
PA#5 Lance Hamilton of State College Area, PA#6 Dayo Abeeb of Strath Haven, PA#7 Stanley Hamilton of State College Area, and PA#8 Logan Williamson of Neshaminy are among the other entries in the field.
Shot Put (Sat. 3/10, 5pm)
Fresh off a state title, John Eakin of Bradford Area is back to the circle. Eakin threw 57-5.75 at states to capture his first state championship. He'll be looking to improve on that throw this weekend.
Weight Throw (Sun. 3/11, 12:30pm)
South Fayette's Sam Mastro is the lone PA entry in this event. Mastro, who threw 64-11.5 in December, is the top-ranked weight thrower from PA. He also sits at US#24.