Top finishers from PA high schools at the Penn State National Invitational

West Mifflin sprinters finish fast and well at Kent State (OH) HS Invitational. PA pole vaulters take top honors. Sarah Theibaud wins two events. More...

Showing PA\'s strength in the short hurdles, West Catholic\'s Nia Ali and Valley\'s Mycaiah Clemons went one-two in the Semis of the Colgate Women\'s Games. More...

Defending AAA State Pole Vault champion Eric Sparks of Hickory, cleared 15-00 to take 3rd in the Pole Vault competition.

Juan Cave of St. Joseph\'s Prep hit 6-10 again in the High Jump. Shawn Minnick, Council Rock South, wins the Shot Put. The North Penn 4x800 continues their tune-up for the championship portion of indoor. Bensalem showcases their speed. And the 3,000 was quick with three guys under 9:06.

Photo Gallery of 1/28 Slippery Rock HS Invitational #2 @ Slippery Rock University Photo Gallery of 1/29 TSTCA Indoor #3 @ Slippery Rock University

Photo Gallery of 1/28 Slippery Rock HS Invitational #2 @ Slippery Rock University

Penn Hills girls go 1-2 in the 400. Veney over 40\' in the Shot Put but gets 5th. Henson wins 60H in PA#1 US#5 8.21 seconds.

North Allegheny junior Max Brown hasn\'t had a lot of luck in recent seasons, getting sick just in time for Districts. But this winter he\'s healthy, and he\'s showing what a few observant WPIAL coaches have known all along... the kid has talent.

Facing the sanctioning by the New York public schools association, Bonner, Carroll and West Catholic\'s boys took a road trip to the Armory to compete in the Open/Youth meet sponsored by the Metropolitan Athletics Congress.

The 55 hurdles and the 200m were the hot events of the day. Chichester\'s Carrington Queen took the hurdles in a blazing 7.5, and Conwell Egan\'s Steve Slaton held off the closing speed of Penncrest\'s Andrew McCloskey, with both men going 23.2. Penncrest\'s Mike Morganti had more success in the shot put, continuing his undefeated streak in league competition with a throw of 51-05.

In the men\'s distance medley, Duke freshman Chris Spooner ran a savvy 4:06.5 anchor to lead the Blue Devils to victory (9:56.77). Full Results at: http://www.lancertiming.com/results/winter05/buinvm.htm (MEN) http://www.lancertiming.com/results/winter05/buinvw.htm

McDowell\'s Nicole Smith improved to US#6 with a final leap of 18-11.50 in the Long Jump. She also improved her season-best in the 55 Hurdles, running 8.63. And her 5-06 High Jump was enough for the win. Jeff Weiss of McGuffey, ran his only indoor race of the season, going solo in the 3200 in 9:34, after splitting 4:40 for the opening mile. Weiss will spend February weekends on college visits.

Don\'t sit on the entrance end of the stands at indoor states this year if you want to see some great shot putters. Four of the season\'s best showed how it\'s done once again, led by the super frosh Karen Shump of Penncrest.

It's the hair. Conestoga braved the storm on Jan 22nd and had some great performances at the New Balance Games at the Armory in New York. (A 4:03.67 4x400 and 9:39.26 4x800, which is #2 in PA plus the best High Jump of the day). But we digress. What they really went to New York for was some team bonding. Stuck at the hotel all day Sunday, until they could head for home on Monday, they made creative use of their time. Yes, they did watch the Eagles whip the Falcons. But, well, we'll let the pix by coach Ryan Comstock tell the story.

PA athletes did well in the qualifiers for the Semi-Finals of the annual Colgate Women\'s Games, which culminate February 5th at Madison Square Garden in New York.

Exeter\'s Adam Kravatz cleared 14-00 to win the Pole Vault. Teammate Travis Savidge had a nice Triple Jump. Wyomissing\'s Eric Miller was a double winner, as was WIlson\'s Becca Kerchak.

Lindsey Regan, the Easton junior, upped her state-leading pole vault height to 12-06 at the annual Pole Vault Summit held in Las Vegas, Nevada. Eric Sparks, Hickory, cleared 15-02 to lead the PA boys. Amber Gaffey of Susquehanna Community, cleared 10-06, and Julia Green, Emmaus was over at 10-02. Chartiers Houston\'s Buddy Rose set a PR at 13-10. Pennridge\'s Scott Sherwood cleared 13-08, while State College\'s Pat Campolongo was good over 13-02.

This installment on the sanctioning crisis takes the pulse of several of the hottest fronts - some with immediate impact, and some that could have an impact on the sport for many years to come. There\'s a banning in Boston as an elite \'sanctioned\' athlete is missing the chance of a season to race against the best. There are interpretations upon interpretations about sanctioning forms that seem to say similar things, but aren\'t recognized by other states. There is a meet that is doing their own preemptive preventive measures to try to avoid the mess. And there\'s a possibility on the horizon that a major meet may be forced to choose between states. Oh, and there are rumors.

Wyomissing Area is seeking applications for a Boys

Great Valley continued their success up at Yale on Saturday in multiple events, highlighted by Janessa Murphy taking second in two events.

Ryan Whiting wanted to throw. So did Tayvon Gray. And so did a few other top shot putters who braved the snow and made it to Kutztown just as the storm was starting.

Beginning immediately, any member school of the Pennsylvania Track & Field Coaches Association (PTFCA) can post job listings for free on PennTrackXC.com. Simply send the information to Don Rich by email.

Running in the elite 400m, West Catholic senior Nicole Leach ran a US#1 53.48 400m. Leach finished 2nd between two Olympians. Jamaica\'s Ronetta Smith of LSU won the race in 53.34, with a charging Leva Zunda of Latvia 3rd in 53.53 (photo by Dyestat.com). The Conestoga girls\' 4x400 won in 4:03.67, improving on their PA#2.

She runs, she jumps, she... well, she used to shoot, too, but now she mainly runs and jumps. Very fast, and very far. Meet frosh Ryann Krais of Methacton.

In the triple jump Clarance Smith of Coatesville improved from US#5 to #3 with a triple jump PR of 46

Plymouth-Whitemarsh is accepting applications for an assistant T&F coach to specialize in distance runners, both boys and girls. Contact Ron Lopresti by email for information.

Great Valley boys show well in 4x800 and DMR at Yale Track Classic on Day One, 1/21.

Please let us know if your meet is cancelled or postponed today, Saturday January 22. We\'ve already heard that State College is not going to the Yale Invitational. You can send an email , or IM: donpenntrackxc. * Maroon & Gold @ Kutztown is ON (they never cancel, because some teams spend the prior night.) * Franklin & Marshall is CANCELLED * TFCAGP D2 7pm @ Lehigh is CANCELLED * TSTCA Shot Put Competition @ Thomas Jefferson HS POSTPONED - to be rescheduledNothing better to do today? Send your spring invitational schedule.

Baldwin athletes had several of the top individual field performance in the TSTCA\'s 2nd indoor meet of the season, highlighted by the Shot Put. Plus the Pole Vault and sprints were strong.

Texas teen went to the Houston Marathon/Aramco Half Marathon planning only to shop, but \"the hype got to me.\" The 15-year-old Westfield Houston TX sophomore came back the next day and ran a stunning time in the half-marathon, which is twice as far as she had ever run before.

The Millrose Games will air on NBC, Saturday February 5th from 2:00pm

Once again, the Triple Jump is a hot event in PA. Knowledge Timmons of York was a triple winner. For the girls, Jenny Green of Williamsport took the 200 and the 400. Eva Jansen, Spartan TC, also was a double winner,

Not as fast as they\'ve gone, but quick nonetheless, as Simon Gratz wins the 4x400 in 3:21.81. Their girls were 3rd in the 800 SMR at 1:44.88. Central\'s Jewel Day was 3rd in the 55 dash at 7.51, and her team posted a 4:15.09 in the 1600 SMR.

The life and accomplishments of coach Larry Simmons will be recognized at a ceremony during halftime of the Penncrest-Upper Darby boys basketball game on January 28.

Two Villanova athletes from PA, qualified for the Big East Championships on 1/14 in the NYU Invitational at the Armory in New York. Frances Koons (Allentown Central Catholic), and Kourtney Marquis (Pennsbury), both freshmen, qualified in the 1000m and Pole Vault, respectively. More...

Ryan Fritz capped a record-setting week with a winning jump of 6-09 after tying and then setting a new state record earlier in the week. Also making national marks was Brianna Flagg of Harrisburg. And Sarah Morrison of Chambersburg ran a strong 5:19.2 to win the 1600 meters (photo by Aaron Rich).

Steve Slaton made a huge impact at Lehigh the TFCAGP D2 Meet. Penn Charter\'s Kamal Marrel ran a quick 60m Hurdles. In the long jump Steve Henkelman took the win. Germantown Academy posted a fast 4x800. Penncrest\'s Mike Morganti won the shot. And Bill Lordan of Great Valley ran a 9:10.8 3000-meter for the victory.

In the distance medley relay Cardinal O

A US#11 Long Jump from Great Valley\'s Janessa Murphy. More standout performances from the girls of West Catholic. And some fast times in the 3000 and DMR.

Photo Gallery by Aaron Rich of 1/15 Dickinson HS Invitatonal #2 @ Dickinson College

Photo Gallery by Don Rich of 1/15 Dickinson HS Invitatonal #2 @ Dickinson College

It was the Nicole Smith-Erin Hannon show at the first Slippery Rock HS Inv on January 14th, both with ranked US performances.

Next weekend, I\'ll be at the Kutztown Invitational, and the following weekend, probably a double - the Slippery Rock HS meet on 28th, and the TSTCA meet on the 29th at Slippery Rock. After that, the Track Carnival, Meet of Champs and States. First weekend in Feb undecided.

Oley Valley\'s Brad Deirolt posted a 6.5h (6.74) 55 dash. Two good jumps for the boys, as well... and for the girls, Wyomissing ran alone to win the Mile Relay. More...

Central Dauphin senior Ryan Whiting was already #1 in the US, but with a throw of 68-09.50 at the Kutztown Invitational, he becomes one of the top four prep indoor shot putters of all time. And only three other athletes have better performances. And the 200 has a new state leader. More...

The 4x800 is picking up pace, as North Penn posted a PA#2 time. Brandon Turner, North Penn, became the 3rd PA athlete over 44\' in the Triple Jump. Andre Burton took the 55, and two guys broke 8 seconds in the 55 Hurdles. More...

A free T&F clinic for Delaware Valley high schools and track club coaches will be held January 29th from 8am until 4pm at Gwynedd Mercy Academy. More...

Two meets, and two US#1 performances, one among the best of all time. Central Dauphin senior Ryan Whiting was already #1 in the US, but with a throw of 68-09.50 at the Kutztown Invitational, he becomes one of the top four prep indoor shot putters of all time. More...

Karen Shump is making quite an impact among the state\'s shot putters, and with a throw of 40-08, she\'s now US#3. Strath Haven\'s Lisa Vienneau is now US#7 in the mile. Haverford SR Julia Somers set a big PR in the 3000. Penn Wood\'s Simone Carter was a double champ. The 800 was quick, as well...

Two days after tying the Indoor State Record iin the High Jump, Octorara senior Ryan Fritz has it all to himself, after clearing a PR 7-00.25 at the Chester Countyi Championships Monday evening Jan 10 at Ursinus College. But there were a lot more great performances, as well...

Breehana Jacobs of Uniontown was a triple winner, taking the Long Jump with a US#4 18-05.50 leap; the 60 dash at 7.88, and a 26.62 200. Defending outdoor state Pole Vault champ Eric Sparks, now a senior, got off to a great start, cleaing 15-00, placing him in a three-way tie for US#3. Caitlin Hewitt, Greater Latrobe, cleared 10-06 to win the girls\' Pole Vault. And West Allegheny\'s Cardel Johnson took three events, the 60m in 7.28, the 200 in 23.28, and the 400 in 53.60.

Quick sprints (I know, that\'s somewhat redundant) at the Red & Black Classic. Brianna Flagg, Harrisburg, opened with a 37-10 Shot Put. Beki Finn, Liberty, cleared 10-06 in the Pole Vault.

A fast 3000 created the new year, as Sean Doyle, North Penn, became the first one under nine minutes. Juan Cave continues in the rare air just below 7\', taking the High Jump with a meet record 6-09.

Brandon Lane of the High School of Engineering & Science in Philadelphia, joined the state leaders in the 60 Hurdles. Germantown Academy took the DMR.

West Catholic girls were trying to make a statement this weekend, and they did. What was their statement? \"who needs a banked track?\" In fact one of them posted a US#1 time.

Simon Gratz added roller-derby and the obstacle-course to their 4x200 US#8 and obviously, US#1 1:27.96 4x200 win (Splits from Walt Murphy: Kenneth Talley 22.0, Khaliff Featherstone 22.0, Kevin Talley 22.2, Raishine Turner 21.8) (photo by Dyestat). Simon Gratz frosh Clarenchell Tate posted a US#1 24.54 200. Tate also ran 7.04 in the 60m, taking 2nd. In the 55 Hurdles, Chanel Williams, Plymouth-Whitemarsh, was leading, but hit the last hurdle, holding on for 2nd in a quick 8.25.

Crediting weightlifting for increased strength, and core exercises for an improved ability to hold his bend at the top of a jump, Octorara senior Ryan Fritz appeared relieved to have finally reached his goal of 7-0. The mark ties the 1999 Indoor state record of Mike Newhard, Southern Lehigh. And Cedar Crest senior Becky Eisenhaur posted the US#1 Shot Put, a 41-09.50 throw. More...

Photo Gallery of 1/8 Lebanon Valley HS Invitational #1 @ Lebanon Valley College

Great Valley senior Janessa Murphy is hitting her stride this indoor, taking the state lead in the Long Jump and also winning the 55 Dash. Krista Simkins went 25.5 to win the 200. Frosh Ryann Krais won again. West Catholic, behind dual 2:22\'s from Nicole Leach and Latavia Thomas, ran 9:48.1 to win the 4x800. And Frosh Karen Shump put the shot 39-00.

Sanctioning issues force West Catholic from the Hispanic Games to Montgomery invitational.

Latrobe junior Caitlin Hewitt set a Pole Vault PR whether indoor or outdoor...while three boys bettered 14-0 in their competition. Penn Hills girls and West Mifflin boys take the sprint relays.

PhatBack Athletics, a Phladelphia-based track & field club, was recently highlighted in the January issue of Ebony Magazine as part of an article on Grammy Awrad winning R&B singer Jill Scott, who is a major sponsor of the all boys track club and mentor program.

The next 24 hours will tell the tale of whether the West Catholic team can run in the Hispanic Games on Saturday. As of today, they have been advised by meet officials - reluctantly - that they can only race against other non-sanctioned schools at the meet, so it is probably not worth the trip.

The growing sanctioning crisis that has threatened the seasons and possible scholarship offers for talented high school athletes who happen to compete for schools not sanctioned by official state associations, is expanding once again. Virtually everywhere you look, there\'s a story of a denial, a threat, and most importantly, a lost opportunity for competition. But there could be a solution - flexible thinking. - 2nd in a series.

...and the Coatesville coach had gone by me right after I finished and said good job and good luck and I said those words right back and he looked at me for a second and just stared me in the eye. I could see his fear and he could see mine. I knew his team was on the verge of winning and he knew ours was too.

PENNTRACKs, the two-year-old newsletter for site subscribers, is now generated automatically each week, and available online. Simply click the \"PENNTRACKs\" in the header, and get a listing and links to all the latest articles from the entire site.

Saint Joseph\'s Prep senior Juan Cave is head headed to Georgia Tech University. The high jumper has cleared 6-10 already this season. He has a PR of 6-10.75 set at last year\'s Nike Indoor Classic.

\"After the race, we were convinced we lost, throughout the last mile all we heard was \"you guys are losing\" and \"the titles running away right in front of your eyes.\" We just sat in a circle and waited in terrible, terrible agony for the results. .\"