PIAA District 9 Championships
Who To Watch For: John Eakin (Bradford Area)
Why?: Eakin is Pennsylvania's latest star in the shot put. The senior is the top returner from the state meet last year in AAA after taking sixth in what was a legendary year for the event. Eakin has been getting and better since last spring. He won the indoor state title in the winter, throwing 57-05.75 for the win. This spring, he's thrown over 58 twice before a big PA#1 of 62-06 at a dual meet on May 8.
What to expect: Eakin is a clutch performer. He pulled out the then-best throw of his career to grab a state medal last spring, and did the same at indoor states to win. After his 62 foot throw at a dual meet, it's left us wondering what he can do on the bigger stage of the District 9 Championships. Could be another 60+ day for Eakin!
Others to watch: Jaron Ambrose (AAA - Hurdles); Ethan Brentham (AA - Distance); James Parenti (AA - Throws); Jacob Patton (AA - Hurdles); Ian Thrush (AA - Sprints); Matthew Wehrle (AAA - Mid-Distance)
Who To Watch For: Trinity Clark (Kane Area)
Why?: Clark is the second best javelin thrower in the Pennsylvania, but the third best in the event in the entire nation! She is the top PIAA Class AA, though. She launched a huge throw of 165-03 at her home Kane Invitational on April 21. She also threw 148 feet at Brookville and West Central Coaches. She's shown good improvement since last season and strong consistency in the javelin.
What to expect: District 9-AA is loaded with talent -- so much so that Clark actually placed third a year ago behind champion Skylar Sherry of Johnsonburg and runner-up Cambrie Campbell of Moniteau. Sherry was second and Campbell was third at states, while Clark took seventh. This is going to be one of District Week's top matchups to watch for, as Clark will look to move up to the top spot in D9.
Others to watch for: Cambrie Campbell (AA - Throws); Sam Dyson (AA - Throws); Amanda Foster (AAA - Distance); Kendall Grossman (AA - Pole Vault); Ashton McGriff (AAA - Sprints/Hurdles); Tori Obenrader (AA - Throws); Rebecca Pennington (AA - Distance); Skylar Sherry (AA - Javelin)