Spence Wins Final Collegiate Award, Scholar-Athlete of the Year for 2011 Cross Country (via USTFCCCA)

After an illustrious running career at Shippensburg University, Neely Spence is prepared to embark on the next phase of her life. And to realize a lifelong dream. (via The Patriot-News - PennLive.com)

 

Neely Spence to Begin Quest For Olympic Dream. Spence was an eight-time NCAA Division II national champion at Shippensburg. (2011 USATF 5K Champs - Photo by Don Rich)

(via usatf.org)

(via www.shipraiders.com)

(via www.shipraiders.com)

Senior Neely Spence, the 2011 NCAA Division II Women’s Cross Country national individual champion, was named the 2011 USTFCCCA Division II Cross Country Female Athlete of the Year on Tuesday. It is the second straight year that she has been honored with this award.

Senior Neely Spence won her second consecutive Division II women's cross country national championship on a snowy, windy and frigid morning from the Plantes Ferry Athletic Complex in Spokane, Washington with a 13-second victory over the field and a 6K time of 20:53.

INDIANAPOLIS – Athletes with World Championships and Olympic experience, and a core group of young talent, will lead Team USA into the 2011 Pan American Games slated to be held October 24-29 in Guadalajara, Mexico.

Shippensburg University junior Neely Spence was named the 2011 PSAC Women’s Outdoor Track Athlete of the Year on Thursday morning. Spence has now been named the PSAC Athlete of the Year in all nine of her competitive seasons to date at Shippensburg.

Junior Neely Spence of the Shippensburg University women’s outdoor track and field team recorded the fastest 5K time in NCAA Division II history on Friday night at the prestigious Mt. Sac Relays in California with a time of 15:33.83.

Junior Neely Spence was named the PSAC Women's Outdoor Track Athlete of the Week on Tuesday afternoon by the conference office. Spence posted a NCAA provisional qualifying mark in the 1,500 meters last weekend at Lafayette.

Photo courtesy of ArmoryTrackXC.com

Photo by Tim Fulton, ArmoryTrack.com

Junior Neely Spence won the Division II Women's Cross Country individual championship on Saturday afternoon with a 6K time of 20:41.2. It was a 15-second victory over Western Washington's Sarah Porter.

Shippensburg women’s cross country junior Neely Spence and head coach Steve Spence have been honored for the third consecutive year by the USTFCCA as the Atlantic Region Cross Country Athlete and Coach of the Year.

Louisville, KY- The Louisville Sports Commission (LSC) will host 97 colleges and universities from 20 states in the 9th Annual Greater Louisville Classic (GLC),  which once again will be the largest college meet contested in the south. The Classic, run Saturday October 2nd, will bring together some of the top college cross country programs in the nation, as over 2,000 athletes are expected to compete at E.P. Tom Sawyer State Park. The event will not only feature vast quantity, but the overall quality of the competing teams continues to improve with each year. The field includes 29 men's teams and 23 women's teams that are currently ranked in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Div- I Regional, NCAA Div. II National, NCAA Div. III National and National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Cross Country Polls this season.

(via www.shipraiders.com)

Sophomore Neely Spence was named the 2010 PSAC Outdoor Track Athlete of the Year on Tuesday by conference officials after voting was conducted by the league’s coaches. Through two years of college, Spence has been named the PSAC Athlete of the Year six times.

Neely Spence of Shippensburg defended her national championship at the NCAA Division II nationals over the weekend in Charlotte, N.C., turning back a challenge from a hometown runner, Tanya Zeferjahn of Queens University of Charlotte, 16:14.23-16:20.56. Zeferjahn, a 25-year-old graduate student from California,  had won the 10,000 earlier in the meet.

Ryan McDermott had one of those moments. It was the kind of moment that instigates multiple cell phone calls and tell the same story over and over and over yet each time with a renewed excitement. He already had the story laid out for him. All the Duke senior needed to do was secure the happy ending. Ryan McDermott had one of those moments. It was the kind of moment that instigates multiple cell phone calls and tell the same story over and over and over yet each time with a renewed excitement. He already had the story laid out for him. All the Duke senior needed to do was secure the happy ending.

The Shippensburg University women's cross country team won its second-straight Atlantic Region Championship on Saturday morning from the Lambs Creek 6K course in Mansfield and will now advance to the national championships in two weeks.

(Photo by Victah Sailer,  PhotoRun.net) Shippensburg University freshman Neely Spence moved up throughout the race, ultimately finishing 19th in her debut on the world stage in the IAAF World Juniors Cross Country Championships in Amman, Jordan.  

Shippensburg freshman Neely Spence made her first USATF World team with her victory on Saturday, February 7th at the USATF Junior Cross Country Nationals in Maryland. A day later, Spence took the time to talk with PennTrackXC editor Don Rich about her race, about training simultaneously for track and cross country, and about her continuing growth from a top prep runner, to what she hopes is a successful career at the collegiate level and beyond.

Photo by Timothy O'Dowd, IrishRunner.com for MileSplit.us Neely Spence took the lead about half way through the race and didn't let it go to win the Girls Junior Race, while Footlocker runner-up Ashley Brasovan stayed in tow for second.   For the Boys Junior race, German-mania contiued as Mr. Fernandez took the tape with Chris Derrick in second.

Photo by Timothy O'Dowd, IrishRunner.com for MileSplit.us

Shippensburg Women's Distance Medley Relay Team Shatters PSAC Record Friday Night at Penn State National Invitational

Shippensburg freshman, and NCAA Division II runner-up and all-American Neely Spence tells PennTrackXC that she has decided to remain at Shippensburg for the remainder of her collegiate career.

A second place finish by Shippensburg freshman Neely Spence at the 2008 NCAA Division II Cross Country Championships provided the scoring impetus for a spectacular 6th place finish by the Red Raiders. California U of PA's Chris Clark (Comm. Perry '04) was 4th. Slippery Rock's Jeff Weiss took 8th place finish. 2006 Smethport grad and current Edinboro sophomre Ben Hahn, led his team to a 16th place finish with his 19th place.

#10 in a Series: What makes a T&F fan? Fred Carlson AKA sverige55 and known by the teams around Pittsburgh as Mr C, was raised in Connecticut and attended Simsbury High School.  As a HS athlete he ran a 4:27 mile and a 9:47 2-mile.    

After careers that improved every year since they were freshmen, four of Pennsylvania's best-ever have garnered post-season honors by being named to the 2008 USA Today all-USA Track & Field Team. Chanelle Price and Neely Spence were named in the distances, Ryann Krais in the hurdles, and Karen Shump in the throws. No PA boys were named to the team. The story in USA Today.

Jessica Tonn (pictured far right, photo by Don Rich Milesplit Penn) leads 2 mile race at Nike Outdoor Nationals. While most of Arizona’s top athletes were competing at the USA Track and Field Junior Nationals, two top distance runners, Sophomores Jessica Tonn (Xavier Prep) and Steve Magnuson (Ironwood Ridge) were trying to make their marks at the Nike Outdoor Nationals. Click on header for full article.

Margot Kelly's USATF Juniors Photo Galleries: Day One Part 1 | Day One Part 2 | Day Two | Day Three NON Photo Galleries: Don Rich | Tim Fulton | Brandon Miles | Pat Montferrat | Video Interviews: Neely Spence @ NON | Neal Huynh @ NON | Ryann Krais @ JRs | PA Performances @ NON: Thursday | Friday | Saturday PA Performances @ USATF JRs: Friday | Saturday | Sunday   Sunday: At USATF Junior Nationals, Ryann Krais won the championship with a total of 5217, landing her 2nd berth on the US Junior National team. Saturday: At USATF Juniors, after Day one of the heptathlon competed between rain delays, Ryann Krais is in 2nd place (photo by Margot Kelly, AZrunners - a MileSplit.us affiliate). A mere 22 points separate the top three competitors. At NON, Erie McDowell was 5th, earning all-American in the 800 sprint medey relay in 1:32.36. Derek Horton, Kane, was 6th in the pole vault, earning all-American, clearing 15-2.75. William Robinson, Chadds Ford PA, was 5th in the long jump, going 22-10 for his all-American certificate. Strath Haven's Alix Williams was 8th in the 400 hurdles in 1:02.47. Conestoga was 8th in the girls' 4x800 in 9:16.06. Dan Kwiatkowski, McDowell, was 11th in the shot put, throwing 59-7. Gwynedd Mercy's Taylor Bumpas was 11th in the 800, running 2:12.90. Betsy Dempsey, Methacton, was 8th in the high jump, clearing 5-4.50. Abington freshman Leah Nugent was 2nd in the Emerging Elite 100 hurdles. Upper Dublin's Michael Palmisano tied for 9th in the 800, running 1:52.45. Red Lion's Greg Kareis ran 4:16.42, good for 14th in the mile. Jermaine Lowery, Father Judge, was 8th in the 400 hurdles in 52.95, with Jerome Lowery in 11th at 54.25. Chris Aldrich, West Chester Henderson, was 9th in 6:14.37 in the 2000 meter steeplechase. Erie McDowell just missed earning all-American with a 7th place 42.39 in the 4x100 final. Conestoga's boys were 11th in the 4x400 final in 3:19.33. St. Joseph's Prep was 14th in the boy's 4xmile in 18:16.20, with Germantown Friends 15th in 18:23.19. Germantown Friends sophomore Tom Waterman injured his leg on the 400 and limped his way the last 100 meters. They would finish 18th in 10:36.43. Terrell Rickard, Waynesboro, was 7th in the high jump, clearing 6-7. Jake McKenzie, Germantown Friends, and Philip Wood, (Pennington School NJ, formerly of LaSalle College HS), went 1-2 from different heats in the Emerging Elites Mile, with times of 4:16.93 and 4:17.39, respectively. And Council Rock South grad Ije Iheoma just missed making the finals in the 400, running 55.17. Father Judge grabbed 7th in the 4x400, running 3:17.29. They also were 7th in the 1600 SMR at 3:31.08. Friday: At NON, Neely Spence used a late kick to win her first and only national championship in her final high school race. Spence and the pack came through the mile in 5:18, and then she went negative in 5:02, opening up a lead from the 200 mark to the finish, timed in 10:20.77. Altoona's Neal Huynh surprised the field and won the javelin with a throw of 2:04.06. Jack Isoue of Manheim Central, earned all-American with a 6th place throw of 189-04. PA vaulters took three all-American spots in the girls pole vault, with Abby Schaffer, Easton, 2nd at 12-11, Tory Worthen, Council Rock South, 4th at 12-7.25, and Crestwood junior Mandissa Marshall was 6th, clearing 12-03.25. And Conestoga took all-American honors in the 1600 sprint medley relay in 4:01.48. Friday at USATF Juniors, Penn State frosh (Westmont-Hilltop) Karlee McQuillen, won the javelin with a throw of 171-5. Hatboro-Horsham grad Joe Berry, a freshman at Tennessee, captured the pole vault, clearing 17-04.50. Zane Breakiron, Laurel Highlands, was 5th in the men's javelin, throwing 205-02. In the 5000 meter run, Big Spring grad and Nebraska frosh Lara Crofford was 3rd in 16:34.75. Thursday: At NON, Lewisburg junior Sophia Ziemian ran between 3rd and 4th most of the way in the hot heat of the 5000 meter run, and eventually ran alone for the final few laps to finish 4th in 17:34.98. Her finish earned her all-American status. New Oxford's Jordan Jenkins, also a junior, went 17:51.64 to finish 7th; while Ziemian's teammate, junior Kiah Hardcastle, ran 18:00.10 for 9th. Penn Manor senior Meghan Ecker ran 18:41.86. Two PA boys scheduled to run in the 5k were scratches.      

What a day it was Friday in Greensboro. So many memorable performances were made across the board that it was hard to just pick out a couple to highlight. Leading the way was the boys two-mile, set up with numerous national class individuals and the results couldn't have been much better. California's German Fernandez won in a new national record time of 8:34.40. Elsewhere, Mason Finley (CO) dominated the boys discus in 206-11, while Chalonda Goodman (GA) won the girls 100m dash in 11.51. (German Fernandez pictured left by Don Rich) Live Results / Live Video (MileSplit & FloTrack) Boys Seeded Two-Mile Race Video MileSplit Interview w/ German Fernandez Fernandez Race & Announcer Interview NON Winners Table (ArmoryTrack.com) Friday Top Highlights - German Fernandez (CA) blazes new U.S. two-mile record, 8:34.40 - Becky O'Brien (ME) throws new U.S.#1 in girls shot put, 52-01.75 - Mumford (MI) wins boys 4x800m relay in 7:37.99, U.S.#1 - Spencer Adams (NC) runs 13.75 to win boys 110m hurdles - Leslie Brost (SD) vaults 13-03 to win girls pole vault, U.S.#6 - Charashiese Lockhart (TX) leaps 41-00.50 to win girls TJ - Neely Spence (PA) wins girls two-mile with big kick in 10:20.77 - Eleanor Roosevelt (MD) wins girls 4x200m relay in 1:36.95, U.S.#2 - Trotwood-Madison (OH) wins boys 4x200m relay in 1:25.18, U.S.#2

The regular season is quickly coming to an end as over a dozen more state meets take place this weekend. States like Pennsylvania, Illinois, Washington and Oregon all hold their last contests of the season. MileSplit will keep you up to date with all the top state meet performances, and the few other non-state meets, throughout the weekend, so make sure to keep checking back. (Pictured left: Missouri's Maurice Mitchell wins 100m, 200m & 400m at state, pictured by Tracy Rollins) **Johannes Swanepoel (KS) sets soph. class record in javelin with toss of 221-02!!! Top Boys Weekend Highlights - Maurice Mitchell (MO) wins 100m, 200m, 400m & 4x1 at MO State - North Penn (PA) wins state 4x800m relay in U.S.#1 of 7:38.79 - Jordan Clarke (AK) improves U.S.#1 shot put with 71-03 mark - German Fernandez (CA) runs 8:45.08 3200m, 4:07.62 1600m - Mat Smoody (IL) runs 1:50.71 800 at Illinois State Meet - Raymond Butts (CA) leaps 24-10.50 in long jump in CA - Dominguez (CA) blazes 3:11.50 4x400m relay in California - Rob Finnerty (MN) runs 4:08.76 in 1600m at conference meet - Sam Crouser (OR) tosses javelin 199-06 at Oregon State Champs. Top Girls Weekend Highlights - Laura Roesler (ND) wins 100m, 200m, 400m & 800m at ND State - Alishea Usery (MO) runs 24.43 200m, 54.53 400m at MO State - Chanelle Price (PA) runs 2:02.90 800m to win PA State - Christine Babcock (CA) blazes 4:36.57 1600m run in CA - Fawn Miller (PA) throws soph. class record javelin in 167-02 - Gwynned Mercy (PA) runs 9:04.35 4x800m relay at PA State - Vashti Thomas (CA) 20-05 Long Jump, 43-01.50 TJ & U.S. #1 - Cydney Ross (MO) runs 2:09.88 800m, 4:55.23 1600m at MO State - Stephanie Foreman (AR) vaults 13-06.25 to win PV at AR MOC - Tynita Butts (VA) leaps 20-04.50 in LJ at regional meet in Virginia - Jacquelyn Coward (TN) runs 13.48 100mH, 41.11 300mH at state - Kathy Kroeger (TN) runs 10:49.89 3200m, 4:55.62 1600m in TN

State championships, state qualifying spots and conference titles are up for grabs in most areas of the nation this weekend. With such big stakes on the line one can expect some amazing performances. Keep checking back as MileSplit gives you the top highlights and results of this weekend. (Photo above: Ricky Robertson (MS) soars over 7-02 in HJ, by James Matthews) **Mason Finley (CO jr. class record & U.S.#3 all-time in discus with 222-01 toss! Results **Victoria Jordan (TX) U.S. #4 all-time 100m in 11.16 at UIL Champs. UIL Results **Christian Taylor (GA) 52-06.50 TJ, 25-06 LJ, 46.50 400m, GA State Results Top Weekend Highlights - Boys - Will Claye (AZ) U.S.#2 triple jump of 52-04.75 at state - Tavaris Tate (MS), only a jr., runs U.S.#1 46.41 for 400m - William Wynne (GA) 13.52 110mH, 36.28 300mH in GA - Marquise Goodwin (TX) leaps 26-01.50 LJ at UIL, U.S.#1 - Colby Lowe (TX) 8:53.32 3200m, 4:06.87 1600m in TX - Jordan Clarke (AK) U.S.#1 shot put of 67-10.75 in Alaska - Joseph Franklin (FL) U.S. #1 800m, running a 1:48.97 Top Weekend Highlights - Girls - Chanelle Price (PA) betters U.S.#1 800m time with 2:03.20 - Donique Flemings (TX) 40.96 300mH UIL win, U.S.#11 A-T - Whitney Rose (TX) leaps 41-10.75 TJ at UIL, U.S.#3 - Neely Spence (PA) runs 4:44.38 1600m in PA, U.S.#5 - Barrington (IL) runs 9:03.10 4x800m relay at IL sectionals - Laura Roesler (ND) 2:05.68 in 800m at Fargo Inv., U.S.#2 - Elizabeth Stover (CO) vaults 13-04 in CO, ties U.S.#4 - Lancaster (TX) wins 4x4 relay in 3:40.41 at UIL Champs. - Dominique Duncan (TX) 23.52 200m, 11.37 100m in TX

Wow! That's all that can really be said to sum up this past weekend's performances across the nation. With great weather, peak performances and deep fields, some of the results simply impressed. With nearly ten seperate state meets to cover, and numerous other top-tier invitationals, we've decided to merge it all into one big article, a new feature we're going to call The Awards Stand. Each week for the rest of the season we'll recap what the top performances were in each event grouping. See who made it this week. (Photo of Texas' Kyle Clemons by Alex Aldaco)

There haven't been a lot of PA girls in the 4:40's in the 1600 in recent years. So having two in the same week is extremely rare (Anyone who wants to research the last time this happened, please let me know.). But this one will go down in the books as a cause and effect. The cause was the 4:46.7 1600 that was run by 800 meter specialist Chanelle Price of Easton at the LVIAC Championships on May 7th. Price's time eclipsed the meet record of one Frances Koons, a Foot Locker Finalist, state champion in the 1600 and current all-American runner for Villanova. It also bypassed this year's then-PA#1 4:48.51 of Shippensburg distance specialist Neely Spence. (In photo from April 19 Shippensburg Invitational) Race description by Trey Jackson, who provided timing and FAT splits for Spence's 1600.  

Video of Chanelle Price's 2:03.20 800 Saturday May 10 at Icahn Stadium, New York City - shot by Ricky Goettel Neely Spence reclaims tops in PA in the 1600 - using a big Chanelle Price PR for motivation. Spence's race - by Trey Jackson, who provided timing and FAT splits What's the deal with PA rankings and what you can do to keep them current 2008 PA Outdoor Leaderboard: Girls / Boys SATURDAY: At the SOL Continental Conference Champs, there were lots of PA#10 performances in one of the deepest meets of the season. Council Rock South senior Ije Iheoma is responsible for three of the with her 24.73 PA#2 200, a 54.8h PA#2 400 and a PA#7 12.16 100. Her teammate, pole vaulter Tory Worthen, cleared a PA#2 12-7. Ali Gillen, Central Bucks East, went 43.59 in the 300 hurdles, PA#3. Council Rock North's Joe Capecci went 1:53.90 in the 800, PA#2, and was folowed across the line by PA#3's Chris Pregler of Central Bucks West in 1:54.60. Hatboro-Horsham's Steve Topper ripped through the 300 hurdles in a PA#2 38.19. And Norristown's Godwin Omo-Expadi triple-jumped a PA#2 47-6. At the Pioneer Athletic Conference Champs, Ray Quill, Pottstown, led a strong high jump competiton with his PA#2 6-8. Kyriq Williams, Phoenixville, was an inch shy, nd Ryan Brumfield, Owen J. Roberts, was over at 6-6. Tony Shirk, Phoenixville, cleared a PA#4 15-4 in the pole vault. Boyertown's Elizabeth Simpson won the 3200 in a PA#7 10:55.61. Teammate Mark Dennin tuned up for states with a 4:21.32 PA#15 1600 and 3200 win. At the 3-day Loucks Games in White Plains NY, Archbishop Ryan PA#2 DMR 10:14.91 - PA#14 4x800 in 8:00.72; Sean Mallon, Archbishop Ryan, 1:58.06 800, 3rd place; Leon Wormley, Ryan, PA#11 59.91 400 hurdles. At the Susquehanna Valley Conferences, Lauren Redington, Shikellamy, and Keenan Michael, Mountoursville, were the athletes of the meet. Lauren won the 100 and 200 and finished 2nd in the long jump and the 4x100 relay. Keenan won the 110 hurdles, 300 hurdles, 200 meters, and the 4x400 relay. Michael's 38.60 300H is PA#6. At the Lebanon-Lancaster League Champs, Emily Dresser, JP McCaskey, won the 100 in 12.27 and the 200 in 25.20 (PA#10). Kayleigh Perry, Eastern Lebanon, won the 1600 in a PA#7 5:00.93 and the 3200. Kyle Fisher, Cocalico, won the 100 in 10.91, the 200 in 21.91 (PA#6), and the 400 in 49.38. Vince McNally, Conestoga Valley, won the 1600 in 4:17.80 and finished 2nd to Kevin Hull in the 800 with a time of 1:57.66. Hull won the 800 with a time of 1:56.49. Andrew Batula, Annville Cleona, won the high jump with a leap of 6-08. Chanelle Price was #1 in PA in the 1600 for three days. Neely Spence, who Price had passed with a PR 4:46.7 on Wednesday at the LVIAC meet, passed her back with a 4:44.38 at the Mid-Penn Conference Champs at Central Dauphin HS. She doubled back with a 2:17.90 800. Cumberland Valley kicked it into gear with the help of senior Juan Steward. His 21.60 is PA#2 in the 200, and their 42.89 is PA#6 in the 4x100, where they ran into the buzzsaw of Bishop McDevitt (3), who went a PA#3 42.46. Chambersburg's Anyssa Barbour posted two top times, running a PA#3 24.84 in the 200 and a PA#5 12.12 for 100. In the trials of the 200, Harrisburg's Alysha Cook posted a PA#2 24.74, and finished 2nd in the finals. Cook was busy all day, winning the 300 hurdles in 45.10 (she is already PA#3); taking 2nd in the 100 hurdlers where she is PA#4 after posting a 15.07, fastest time one the day; and winning the 400 in 58.06. Teammate Hanif Johnson was just .75 short of his PA#2 47-1 triple jump. Hurdle specialist Michael Brown of Lower Dauphin won both his events, gong 14.34 (PA#2 14.33 in prelims) in the 110, and 38.60 in the 300, where he is currently ranked PA#1. Saturday night at Icahn Stadium in New York City at the New Balance, NYC Qualifying Challenge, Price improved her PA and US#1 800 to 2:03.20 in a solo effort. At the Girls Inter-AC Championships, Springsde's Taylor Ellis-Watson had a huge day, running a PA#2 24.73 200, a PA #3 55.91 400 and a very quick 12.39 100. Notre Dame's Ayanna Fields was 2nd in the 400 in a PA#14 57.54. Fields also took 2nd in the 100 in 12.53. At the SOL National meet, PA#1 48.18 400 from Abington's Chris Morales, who led six under 50 seconds, adding all to the top 20 in PA. North Penn PA#4 4x400, 3:20.04. Central Bucks South PA#3 4x800 in 7:53.64. Derek Hynes, Central Bucks South, PA#3 pole vault of 15-6. Top 20 PA 800's from North Penn's Zack Montijo (1:56.52) and Steve Franks (1:56.79). Kevin Steinberg won the 100 in 10.87 (he is already PA#1) and the 200 in a PA#4 21.69. At the SOL American, Ryann Krais added two more PA#1 performances to her senior resume, clearing 5-8 in the high jump and posting a 42.03 in the 300 hurdles. She had a good look at 5-10 in the high. She's already PA#3 in the long jump, but added an 18-4, and ran 13.98 to win the 100 hurdles, where her 13.50 is already PA#1. Methacton's 4x800 ran a PA#5 7:58.95. Plymouth Whitemarsh ran 49.04, a PA#7 4x100. Nick Crits, Wissahickon, is now top 10 in two events, running a PA#5 1:55.55 800. Steve Roberts, Quakertown, is #7 in PA with a 21.98 200 and #12 with his 49.26 400 At the Mercer County T&F Inv, Kristy Woods, Grove City, launched a PA#4 discus of 137-10. She threw 44-9 in the shot, but had a bigger throw for PA#2 at Baldwin May 2. Lakeview soph Fawn Miller sent the jav 149-3. She has been over 150 and is PA#1. Wilmington's Ryan Bell neared 200 in the jav at 197-8. He is PA#4 with a 200+ throw. At the Bicentennial Athletic League Champs, Holy Ghost Prep's Matthew Chylak won two events, the 800 in 1:57.84 and the 1600 inb 4:26.10. Teammates James Budzinski (177-0) and David Cyhan (164-7) captured the top two spots in the javelin. David Cuevas, Bristol, won the shot and discus. And the Dock girls swept the three relays. At the Mid-Atlantic Prep League, the Hill School's Trevor Cordivari took 1st in the 400 in 50.76. Mercersburg Academy's Whitney Matthey was 3rd in the 400 in 1:01.62. Teammate James Finucane captured the distance double, as did his sister, Lena Finucane, who added the 800 title for a little family bragging rights. At the Northern Tier Meet @ Smethport, lots of double champs, Athens' Hannah Townsend and Towanda's Ronald Chesla in the 100 and 200 (Chesla added the 400 for good measure); Susan Learn, North Penn, in the distances; Verena Reed, North Penn, in the hurdles; Mariah Conrad, Athens, in the long and triple jumpts; Ashley Bristol, Troy, and Adam Harris, in the discus and shot. The Athens girls won the 4x100 and 4x400. At the Redbank Track & Field Inv, double winners included Alex Kerr, Brookville in the hurdles; Anthony Stimac, Karns City, in the short sprints; and Skyler Ganoe, Clarion, in the 200 and 400. At the Firing Memorial Victory Meet at Governor Mifflin, Conrad Weiser junior Lamont Fowler tied for PA#4 with a 10.81 100 and tied for PA#9 in the 200 with his 21.98. Holy Name senior Hillary Monger ran 14.88 for the 100 hurdles, PA#6, and 45.71 over the 300m barriers, a top 20 time in the state. Governor Mifflin's Nadia McKenna, a junior, was 2nd in the 100 hurdles in a PA#9 14.98. Top 15 times were posted in the boys' hurdles... Trey Cox, Wilson, ran 14.91 and Darian Garman went 39.11. FRIDAY: At the Erie County Track Classic, AJ Dohanic of Girard won the 110 and 300 hurdles, plus the 100 and 200. Double winners included Lauren Zarger, Harbor Creek, in the 1600 and 3200, and Sam Havko, Fairview, in the 800 and 1600. Harbor Creek junior Ryan Repoff threw a PA#17 154-6 discus. On Day One of the Mid-Penn Conference Champs, Harrisburg's Alysha Cook posted a PA#2 24.74 in the 200 meter trials (results posted). At the North Tier League Meet @ Smethport HS, there's was a youth movement as top performances cam from freshmen, sophomores and juniors. Soph Emily Giannotti of Coudersport pulled off the distance double, taking the 1600 in 5:12.76 and the 3200 in 11:22.16. She was joined by five other underclassmen as multiple event winners. The top senior was Northern Potter's David Cobb, who captured top honors in the long jump (21-7), the triple jump (42-01.25), and the 400 (50.68). THURSDAY: Swenson soph Shanae Bailey vaulted to PA#1 in the 100 with her 11.81. Imhotep Charter's Herman Kirkland jumped his way to the top of PA with a leap in the long of 23-07.23 (Both school are AA). Kirkland also ran a PA#4 10.81 100 and a PA#8 22.12 200. Bailey's teammate, Anthonia Ballard, ran a PA#5 14.87 100 hurdles, and also captured the 300 hurdles in 44.16, where she is already ranked PA#4. Khaliff Featherstone, Simon Gratz, jumped to PA#4 in a solo 400 at 48.79. Teammate Frank Wainwright hurdled to a PA#3 38.53 300 hurdles and a PA#17 110 hurdles of 14.99. Engineering & Science freshman Cierra White won the 200 in a PA#9 25.42. Teammate Jenna Arnold captured the distance double, as did Terence Lee, who added a PA#25 800. And Robeson's Katurrah Hayman ran a PA#9 57.30 400. At the Colonial League Champs at Bangor Memorial Park, Palmerton's Austin Cseh and Wilson (Easton) Area's Anthony Davidson zipped to PA#3 and #4 400's of 48.55 and 48.72, respectively. Cseh also won the 200. Wilson's Adam Eckhart leapt a PA#6 46-00.25 triple jump. Kyle Miller, Catasauqua, cleared a PA#6 15-00 pole vault. Palmerton's Casey Ord won four events, the 100-200, long and triple jumps. Strong javs at the Elk County Meet from Johnsonburg's Eric Wonderly (174-9) and Saint Mary's Michael Feldbauer, (174-5). Elk County Catholic held off Ridgway's girls in the 4x400, 4:08.85 to 4:10.89. At the Tue-Wed Ches-Mont League Champs, Coatesville throwers put themselves near the top of the state rankings with big efforts. Kaleena Gray sent a 141-3 discus flying, which is #2... along with a #3 43-10.50 shot put. Teammate DJ Thomas was out there with a 56-06.25 shot put, PA#2. Kennett's Blake Davenport is PA#8 win the discus with a 159-6. He was 2nd in the shot with a 53-04.75 #12. Alanna Owens, Rustin, put the shot a PA#4 43-00.75. West Chester Henderson posted a PA#4 4x400 of 3:54.90. WEDNESDAY: At the AACA T&F Champs @ Gwynedd-Mercy Academy, Villa Maria Academy won the team title by 12 over St. Basil and 15 over Gwynedd Mercy. Double champs included Meghan Lutz, Nazareth Academy, in the 1600 (5:04.01) and 3200 (11:14.55); Taylor Bumpas, Gwynedd-Mercy in the 400 (58.75) and 800 (2:18.13); and Lindsey Teuber, St. Basil, in the high jump (5-0) and triple jump (34-7). St. Basil won a quick 4x800, going 9:32.01, with Villa Maria and Gwynedd within 15 seconds. At the Schuylkill League Champs at Mahanoy City, Tamaqua senior Alex Zubey raced to the #3 ranking in PA in the 800 and #15 in the 1600 with his strong 1:55.06-4:22.73 double. The javelin was flying in both competitions. Casey Wagner, Tamaqua, won with a throw of 134 (she is PA#2 from her 146-5 throw at Penn), and Jim Thorpe's Josh Hontz was 2' off his best of 190, which is currently PA#12. Tamaqua's Megan Inama won three events, the long, triple and 100. Competing over two days at the LVIAC Champs @ Glen Birney Stadium in Allentown, Easton's Chanelle Price showed another level in beating a league record by Allentown Central Catholic's Frances Koons by five seconds, and taking the #1 spots in PA in both the 400 and 1600 to go with her signature event in the 800. Price ran the 400 in 54.2, which is US#13, just 25 minutes after her 1600.. She opened the 1600 with a 2:16-2:17 split (7 seconds faster than the boys' race according to the Express-Times, and finished in a PA# 1 4:46.7, US#6. She anchored the 4x400 to a come-from-behind 4:01.9 with a 53.5 anchor, and had split 2:03.5 on the 3rd place 9:34.7 4x800 on the first day of competition. Nazareth's Jenny Betz leapt to a PA#4 38-8 in the triple jump. Big long jumps for the guys, including a tie at PA#5 for Devin Steet of Liberty at 23-1. Whitehall's Matt Hamscher leatp 22-09.50, PA#8. At the Central League Champs at Lower Merion, Haverford Township's Rhian Jones sped to a PA#5 11.9 100. Another PA#5 was posted in the 4x100 as the Upper Darby girls went 48.5. And while not up to her season bests, Karen Shump of Penncrest was on top in two events with a 46-7 shot and a 143-8. discus.The boys' 4x400 got a new PA#9 as the Penncrest guys went 3:22.3. Upper Darby moves into PA#11 with their 2nd place 3:23.3. Ridley sprinter Kevin Wilbank continues to roll, moving into PA#9 in the 400 with his 49.6. He won the 200 in 21.6, which did not improve on his PA#1 ranking. Conestoga's J.C. Rizzo outkicked Penncrest's Anthony Batch in the 800 by .3, going 1:58.6. (front page photo by Ryan Comstock) Easton's Price steals the show - from the Express-Times At the Mountain Valley Conference Champs @ East Stroudsburg University, Natasha McLaren of Stroudsburg was a double winner, jumping 5-4 (tie PA#7) in the high jump, and going 36-03.25 for the triple and taking 3rd with a 16-3 in the long jump. Lehighton's Vanessa Rimbey won the long jump with a PA#12 17-11. Stroudsburg's Steve Garcia is in a PA#7 tie after his 23-0 long jump. In the shot put, East Stroudsburg South's Joe Tritto threw 54-9, PA#9. TUESDAY: WPIAL Qualifiers: AAA Northern @ Butler: Knoch's Carol Cress upped her state in the shot put to #8 with a throw of 40-7. Penn Relays discus champ Matt kann of Fox Chapel already owns the top spot in PA, but has the top two throws after his 171-03.25 at this meet. AA Northern @ Mars: Freedom's Ashley Adams moved up the rankings in her two events, to #7 in the discus with a 133-07 and #12 in the shot put with a throw of 40-00.50. Union's Cameron Lewis is now PA#14 in the long jump going 17-09. Hurdler Nick Spino of Jeanette improved his 110 ranking to #7 with a 14.6, but his 39.4 was not better than his current PA#4 mark. Mount Pleasant's Taylor Funk won the 100 and 300 h hurdles, but has better top 10 season marks in both. Neshannock's Kacey Gibson won the 1600 and 3200, and remains PA#13 and #9 in those events. PCL Northern Girls: Archbishop Ryan and Tamisha Thomas, Archbishop Ryan, 14.9 100H tie PA#9. At the PCL Northern Boys' Jermaine Lowery led Father Judge to the win with three individual wins, going a PA#2 38.38 in the 300 hurdles, aPA#12 50.05 for 400 and 22.39 in the 200. Twin brother Jerome was almost identical in the 300 hurdles with a PA#3 38.58. LaSalle's Tom Barr won the shot with a PA#10 53-11.75, and discus. Under the Lights @ Trinity HS in Camp Hill, Bishop McDevitt's Chris Houston runs a PA#8 10.89 100 and PA#9 49.92 400. Boiling Spring's Kara Millhouse runs a PA#4 10:51.42 3200. Northern's Rachel Wong posts a PA#4 5:00.70 1600. Trinity's Erin Guty wins four, the 100, 200 and horizontal jumps. At the Robert Spagna Inv (Lackawanna County) Champs, North Pocono's Ben Wilk posted a PA#4 discus of 162-4. If you're not over 40 feet in the girls' shot put, you're not in the top 10. April Doyle, Lakeland, inched toward that standard with a PA#11 40-03.50. On MONDAY: at the PCL Southern Division Boys and Girls Champs, Cardinal O'Hara's Robyn Oakley, 2nd in the Penn Relays 400 Hurdles, improved her PA#9 100 hurdles time to 45.2. She also won the 100 hurdles in 15.5. Cardinal O'Hara won the team title for the girls. Saint Joseph's Prep captured the boys title with big help by the 1 and 3 finish in the 800 by J. Castillo, 1:57.9 and P. Clark, 1:59.9. They also captured the 4x800 in 8:18.4. Past weekend results needed for 3/29: Jersey Shore | 4/12: Union Area, and Pacer | 4/19 Moon Mixed, and East Allegheny | 4/26: Fairfield, Tri-County (boys) | 5/3: Bellwood, Liberty Last Chance, Sonny Sheppard, Schuylkill Ct. Relays, York Suburban Relays, NCSAA and North East | 5/10: Laurel Highlands, PIAA D8, Northern Tier (sm. schools), YAIAA, ACSI  

As of May 1, signing will be added only to: PA College Signings database - Class of 2008 Wednesday February 6th was the first day of official signing for Letters of Intent for college selections. PA athletes revealed their choices, and others affirmed ones previously announced. More... Email don@penntrackxc.com.com 2008 College Signings: Pennsylvania List | National List | National Article      

What a weekend it was! So many performances, so little time to talk about each one. In this week's Monday News and Notes section we discuss four field event performances that really stood out, big California performances earned at the Mt. SAC Relays, Logan Top 8 Inv. and Orange County Championships, watch videos of Neely Spence running a distance double of 4:48/2:15, discuss the upcoming Penn Relays and much more! Monday News & Notes Highlights - Mt. SAC Relays (CA), Orange County Championships (CA), Logan Top 8 Inv. (CA) - Christine Babcock (CA, right) runs 4:45.96 1600m in CA - Mason Finley (CO) launches shot put 64-07 - Geoffrey Tabor (OK) throws discus 201-00 - Anna Jelmini (CA) U.S. #4 all-time in girls discus - Stephanie Foreman (AR) clears 13-05.25 in pole vault - Neely Spence (PA) 4:48.51 (1600m) race video - MileSplit Week Ahead: Penn Relays Tops the List

Results from around the country keep pouring in and what we've seen so far is mighty impressive. Numerous U.S. top five marks have been established this weekend, starting with Chanelle Price's (PA) big 2:03.98 800m win at the New York Relays Saturday. Following Price's lead, Jacquelyn Coward (TN) (pictured left by Brandon Miles) ran the most impressive hurdle double of the season by winning the 300m hurdles in 41.26 and 100m hurdles in 13.11w at the Volunteer Classic at the University of Tennessee. Read what else took place this weekend. Boys Weekend Top Performances - Roman Holmes (CO) soars 24-05 LJ, 47-03 TJ at Littleton (CO) - Maurice Mitchell (MO) goes 10.40 for 100m at Kansas Relays - Michael Shaw (OH) wins 100m dash in 10.39w at Tennessee - Chris Derrick (IL) runs 8:48.9 for 3200 at Downers Grove (IL) - Germantown Friends (PA) goes 7:47.50 4x8 at CB West Relays - Kenny McClain (FL) runs 37.21 for 300m hurdles in FL - Dan Block (IL) throws 199-08 discus, 63-05 shot put in IL - James White (MO) high jumps 7-00 at Kansas Relays - Kevin Williams (CO) runs 9:02.29 to win 3200m in Kansas Girls Weekend Top Performances - Anna Jelmini (CA) tosses discus 183-11 in CA, U.S.#4 all-time - Karen Shump (PA) throws shot put 47-09 at Great Valley Relays - Kelly McNamee (WA) leaps 5-10 to win high jump at Pasco (WA) - Neely Spence (PA) U.S.#2 4:48.51 at 1600m, 2:15.38 800m in PA - Megan Frausto (TX) leaps 19-03.5 to win long jump at Kansas Relays - Chanelle Price (PA) runs 2:03.98 for 800m at the NY Relays - Jacquelyn Coward (TN) goes 41.26 300mH, 13.11w 100mH in TN - Roxi Grizzle (KS) throws javelin 163-11 at Kansas Relays, U.S.#7 A-T - Emily Sisson (NE) wins 3200m at Kansas Relays in 10:25.42

PIAA State champs and Foot Locker All-Americans Neely Spence of Shippensburg and Mark Dennin of Boyertown have been named the Gatorade Runners of the Year for Pennsylvania.

On a cold but calm morning at Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx, New York seniors Donn Cabral, of Glastonbury, Conn., and Neely Spence, of Shippensburg, Pa., won the Northeast regional qualifier and earned invitations to the prestigious Footlocker National Cross Country Championships in San Diego on December 9th. The Pennsylvania girls win the team title, with the New York boys dominant in that race.

In her annual tune-up to the Northeast Foot Locker regionals set for Nov 24th, Shippensburg senior Neely Spence ran a very quick 17:18 in the New York Road Runners XC Championships on the 5K course at Van Cortlandt Park in New York. Boiling Springs senior Kara Millhouse ran her best time ever on the course, showing she is ready for the regionals, going 18:47 to finish as the second woman. MORE...Note: All times are unofficial.

 Over the course of her junior year, Neely Spence (Sr., Shippensburg, PA) ran with an uncontrollable fire that pushed her to some amazing performances.  At Foot Locker Nationals in San Diego, she finished an outstanding eighth place in her first FL Nationals competition.  During this past spring, Spence took it to another level, placing second at Nike Outdoor Nationals in the two mile, running 10:20.  Spence's goals for her final high school season are impressive, and the road to this point in her running career is an amazing story. 

In the first-ever national rankings for the Foot Locker Championships, MileSplit.us National Editor Scott Bush has included three Pennsylvanians in the top 10. For the girls, returning all-Americans Neely Spence of Shippensburg and Carly Seymour of Central Cambria, come in at 3rd and 6th, while Conestoga Valley senior Vince McNally is 6th on the boys' list. For the full list, click here.

Seniors Neely Spence of Shippensburg, and Carly Seymour of Central Cambria, remain #1 and 2 in the just-released MileSplit.us Foot Locker Northeast Regional Rankings. Neshannock senior Kacey Gibson is #12. Conestoga Valley senior Vince McNally is #2 and West Chester Henderson's Chris Aldrich is 12th. 

 In AA, Central Cambria has some quality freshmen joining a Carly Seymour- led team that has major experience. Seymour took 2nd in 2006 to returning Kacey Gibson of Neshannock, but then went on to earn all-American at Foot Lockers. In AAA, Emmaus returns the top six from their 2006 runner-up squad, and have their eyes on some big goals. And defending champ Neely Spence of Shippensburg, who joined Seymour in San Diego for Foot Lockers, also earning all-American status, is back, and a clear favorite. The 2007 AA and AAA Girls preview... Includes top returning individuals and teams with elite performances in 2006 POSTED TUE: Emmaus Girls, THUR: AA & AAA BOYS PREVIEW, FRI: North Allegheny Boys 

 Five PA girls were named to the USA Today 2007 All-USA Track and Field Team. In the distance events (800 through 2 miles), is was Easton's Chanelle Price and Shippensburg's Neely Spence, both rising seniors. Methacton's Ryann Krais; also a rising senior; was named in the hurdles. In the throws, it was Westmont Hilltop grad Karlee McQuillen, and rising Pencrest senior Karen Shump. No PA boys received recognition on the team.

PIAA AAA State XC Champ and Foot Locker Finalist Neely Spence – who ran for Shippensburg High School last fall after a law was passed requiring PA school to allow participation of homeschoolers – will join the Shippensburg team again this spring. Spence had planned to run open and collegiate meets this spring in preparation for the Nike Outdoor Nationals in June, but a new regulation has changed her plans.

Neely Spence and Carly Seymour make their first Foot Locker Finals experience a top 10 kind of day. Paul Springer has an off day... but is already looking ahead to indoor, outdoor, and more PRs.

An incredible day for the PA\'s Neely Spence and Carly Seymour, and a day of disappointment for Paul Springer at Foot Locker Nationals. Jason Weller, Boyertown, ran an 8:39.8 3K solo at Lehigh Saturday.(Front page photo by John Herzog - Carly Seymour and Neely Spence during the race.

PA juniors Neely Spence and Carly Seymour \'relax\' their way to 1st & 3rd. Fellow junior Kacey Gibson was 12th, less than five seconds out of a spot. PA Girls are 2nd overall, placing five in the top 18.

In New York, Neely Spence tuned up for the upcoming Foot Locker Regionals with a very quick 17:38 at the NEW YORK ROADRUNNERS XC CHAMPIONSHIPS. Lara Crofford was the 2nd woman in the race. Terence Lee, Engineering & Science, was 3rd overall in 16:20. Frances Koons dominated the NCAA DIVISION I MID ATLANTAIC REGION. Rachel Papin and Leanna Nastase will join her in Indiana for the NCAA Championships. Dan Mazzocco qualified individually. Steve Hallinan led American to an auto bid with his 6th place in the meet at Lock Haven University.

Pennsylvania governor Ed Rendell probably had no idea about the impact he would have on the 2006 Pennsylvania cross country season, but suffice it to say that it is going to be big.

Neely Spence didn\'t have high school cross country teammates to call in the summer of 2004 to go on those long training runs required for a successful cross country season. She lives in the Shippensburg School District and is homeschooled. Shippensburg is one of 221 districts that did not permit participation by homeschoolers in extracurricular activities. Neely -- who as a freshman finished 14th in the 2004 Foot Locker Northeast Regionals -- did something about the first problem... and Governor Ed Rendell and the Pennsylvania Legislature did something about the second.

At the Gettysburg College Invitational, homeschooled Neely Spence was 2nd out of 257 runners in the women\'s 6k, going 20:58.

Conestoga\'s Liz Costello was 3rd in 17:59. Pre-Season NE#10 Allentown Central Catholic was 4th behind Warwick Valley NY, Colts Neck NJ, and Warwick Valley NY. Northeast #9 West Chester East suffered a 2-point upset loss to Cumberland Valley, 131-133 at the Paul Short Run. The race was won by junior Craig Forys of Colts Neck NJ in 15:14. East\'s Duriel Hardy was 2nd just two seconds back, following at 15:22 by Cumberland Valley #1 Curtis Bixler.

Freshman Neely Spence finshed a strong 6th place in the college women\'s 5000 meter race Friday April 15th at Bucknell University, running 17:27.39, a PR. She\'ll race next in the Olympic Development 5000 at the Penn Relays Carnival on Distance Night (that\'s Thursday, April 28th). Lots of PA high school grads did well, highlighted by a 4-minute mile equivalent 1500 by American University\'s Sean Duffy (Cardinal O\'Hara). More...

Both state boys\' cross country champs have received post-season honors from The Harrier, while Homeschooled Neely Spence of Shippensburg was named an All-Frosh team.

Jeff Weiss and Craig Miller, the two boys state champions in 2004, are in the Foot Locker finals set for December 11th at Balboa Park in San Diego, California. Their 6th and 8th place performances highlighted a great day for Pennsylvania athletes on the venue known simply as Vanny in New York\\\'s Bronx.

Slightly more than 30% of the PIAA State Championship medalists will be competing in the 2004 Northeast Foot Locker Championships on Saturday, November 27 at Van Cortlandt Park in New York City.

Several PA Foot Locker hopefuls took advantage of the New York Road Runner\'s Championships on Sunday Nov 14th to get a preview of Van Cortlandt Park. If their trial runs are any indication, they should be in the hunt.

This frosh is chasing her own big dreams - quickly. She has already walked away from the sport for a brief period. She has competed and trained off and on from the time she was eight years old. She has run a 17:42 5k on the road. A 22:04 6k in cross. She has played a lead role in a community theatre production. She spends much of her free time caring for and riding her horse Rose. Her favorite runner is her dad. And she just turned 14. But this year, this young runner is focused on something else. This December, she would like nothing more than to run that race in San Diego known as Foot Lockers and to be known as one of the top 32 female high school harriers in the US.

One of these two homeschool athletes is deservedly well known and returning to top form. The other not only has heredity on her side, but work ethic, as well. And if both achieve their goals at the end of this coming cross country season, they will comprise 25% of the Northeast Foot Locker girls

14-year-old Neely Spence, the oldest daughter of US Olympian Steve Spence, set a PR for 1600 of 5:09.48 at the Hershey\'s Track & Field North American Championships held at the Milton Hershey School. The performance earned her a 2nd place in the 13-14 age-group behind Stephanie Smith, a 14-year-old from Aurora, Ontario, who set a meet record of 5:01.37. Plus, there were some nice performances in the 100, 200 and 800 races.