AAA Girls Preview: Everywhere you look, records could go down. This year, watch the entire 3200!

 

 

 

PREVIEWS: | AA BOYS | AA GIRLS | AAA BOYS | AAA GIRLS |


HEAT SHEETS: AA BOYS | AA GIRLS | AAA BOYS | AAA GIRLS |


PERFORMANCE LISTS: AA BOYS | AA GIRLS | AAA BOYS | AAA GIRLS

 


GREAT EIGHT

 

 

By Phil Grove

 


Records, records, who is going to get (close to) a record?
Several venerable PIAA standards are likely to be seriously threatened when the state’s Class AAA field comes calling.

 

Sprints and Hurdles

Jody-Ann Evans of Quakertown moved to the top of the yearly list last week in the 100 meters with a blistering 11.75 in District 1. That moved last year’s fifth-place finisher to within just over a tenth of a second of the meet record of 11.64 by Breehana Jacobs of Laurel Highlands and the lone sub-12 qualifier. Lauren Costa of West Allegheny (8th) also medaled in 2012, while Rowanna Watson of Norristown has been in top form and has run 12.04. (Jacobs also hold the all-time state best of 11:47w).

As expected, many of the top contenders in the 100 are among the best around one turn, too. Evans is fastest entering Shippensburg at 24.28 200 meter and was No. 7 last year, while freshman Dasia Pressley of Neshaminy was the closest to the senior at District 1 and thus far on the yearly list. Hempfield Area’s Jasmine Jones was fourth last year, while Watson has been slightly faster this year.

Districts 1 and 7 look ready to battle it out at 400 meters. Senior Caela Williams of Penn Wood edged out Greater Latrobe’s Hanna Green indoors at Penn State for a state title, and the two placed fourth and fifth last year outdoors. Williams leads the yearly list with several district colleagues right behind, while senior Desiree Garland of Woodland Hills supports the effort from District 7. The one-lapper will be one to watch.

In the 100 hurdles, Cheltenham teammates Kayla Coley and Ciara Leonard are the cream of the crop, having run under 14 seconds this season and being the top returnees from 2012 as the silver and bronze medalists, respectively. Who is likely to get close (2012 medalists Jenny Martin of Methacton and Sydnee Jacques of North Penn qualified) and can the Cheltenham pair push each other toward the state meet record of 13.66 held by one Ryann Krais, Methacton, 2008?

Over 300 meter hurdles, Mary Witmer’s massive PR (42.11) at the District 3 meet has the Ephrata junior and returning runner-up penciled in as the pre-meet favorite. Coley, Rachael DeCecco of Cumberland Valley and Maddie Holmberg of Hempfield Area (7) also have run under 44 seconds. Coley also medaled in 2012, finishing sixth.

 

Distance

As a two-time defending champion, Emma Keenan of Gwynedd Mercy is in the spotlight in the 800 meter run. Can she make it three in a row? How about another 2:07 or faster? Devon Towell of West Chester East and Gina Alm of Hampton are the highest ranking returning medalists chasing the Georgetown recruit’s effort. Holly Sullivan, the Owen J. Roberts speedster, was closing fast on Keenan at the District 1 meet and has the 3rd best time in PA this year.

In the 1,600, Shaler Area’s Brianna Schwartz has had no equal on the road to Shippensburg, posting sub-5s even in dual meets. She also was the fastest last week, but there will be plenty of competition from fellow sophomore Marissa Sheva of Pennridge. Can they challenge 4:41.08?

The 3,200 is loaded (that’s an understatement) as Courtney Smith of Unionville, Tessa Barrett of Abington Heights and Regan Rome of Dallas have run under 10:40. Add in North Hills’ Shannon Malone, who has only run a handful of races since returning from an injury during cross country, and it looks promising for the winner to be close to if not under the meet record of 10:21.06. If the weather cooperates, could the state all-time best of 10:09.2 be in jeopardy? This is eight laps you MUST see.

 

Relays

Cheltenham, Pennridge, Upper Darby and Hempfield Area (7) are under 48 seconds in the 4x100 relay. Just about anything can happen here as Pennridge (second) is the highest-placer back from 2012. As one veteran coach said, his heart is in his throat every time this event is on the track.

Another meet record is likely to be threatened (or broken) in the 4x400 as Central Bucks West turned in a 3:47.62 a week ago. Five other teams have broken 3:55 this season as Abington’s 3:46.20 turned in two years ago doesn’t seem that far away.

In the 4x800, Strath Haven, Garnet Valley and Pennsbury dueled it out in the District 1 meet. Can Palmyra, which is fifth fastest in 2013, break up the run of D1 quartets, which also includes the year’s quickest, Great Valley?

 

Jumps

Defending champion Marshay Ryan of Chambersburg and Shatori Walker-Kimbrough of Hopewell have topped 19 feet in the long jump several times this season. Right behind is a group of 18-plus jumpers, including Maddie Holmberg of Hempfield Area (7), who was fifth a year ago as a freshman. All signs point to a competition that might be won on the last jump.

Ryan also is the returning gold medalist in the triple jump and has separated herself from the state. The Auburn signee has almost 3 feet on her closest competitor. Is 42-10.25 or longer possible? That’s the all-time mark by McDowell legend Sheena Gordon. Walker-Kimbrough also medaled here in 2012.

Cyre Virgo of Fleetwood has been the standard by which all of the state’s high jumpers have been judged this season. Although she did not qualify for Shippensburg last year, she placed seventh at New Balance Outdoor Nationals and has been jumping high since. State and national indoor titles and a dual meet leap of 6 feet, 1 inch more than a month ago have highlighted her season. Sophomore Abby Jones of Franklin Area and India McCoy of Ambridge were second and fourth last year and have the next best marks thus far in 2013. Gordon also holds sway here, with a 6-00.50 state all-time best.

Four of the five pole vault athletes over at least 12 feet this year hit that height at their district meets. Many factors – wind, length of competition, pole selection – make this a tough one to call, but expect a District 7 competitor to be in the mix as eight of the top 15 are from the WPIAL. Amanda Benninghoff of Council Rock South and Lexi Masterson of Hempfield Area (7) are the lone medalists back from last year’s senior-laden top 8.

 

Throws

Courtney McCartney of Selinsgrove and Sophia Fustos of Hickory sit atop a shot put field with seven competitors over 42-6. Fustos was third last year in AA as the Hornets used their prowess in the throws to win a state team title, while April Krivoniak of Latrobe was third in AAA. Indoor state champion Emily Stauffer of Cocalico will be making her first trip to Shippensburg.

In the javelin, Gabby Alguire of Tunkhannock was one of only two non-seniors to place a year ago and is the lone returnee to Shippensburg. Sophomore Morgan Defloria of Hempfield Area (7) and yearly list leader Cait Mautz of Central Bucks West are among the leaders in an event with six districts represented by the top seven throwers.

The discus has a pair of medalists back to lead the away. North Pocono’s Jenn Slagus was second in 2012 and this year’s District 2 winner (a feat she accomplished four times), while Taylor Hojnacki of Central Bucks South was fifth last year and is the AAA list leader this year at 135-0. Also in the mix likely will be Wilson’s Jessie Wallace, who was ninth last year and had her season best of 129-10 to win District 3.

 

 

 

100 Meter Dash

1. 11.75 Jody-Ann Evans Quakertown 2013 05/17/2013 PIAA District 1 AAA Championships
2. 11.83 Taylor Williams Hatboro Horsham 2014 04/26/2013 West Chester Open
3. 12.04 Rowanna Watson Norristown 2013 05/10/2013 SOL American Conference Championships
4. 12.05s Taylor McCorkle Oakland Catholic 2014 05/07/2013 WPIAL AAA North Section Qualifier
5. 12.11 Katelyn Jackson Cheltenham 2014 03/30/2013 29th Pennsylvania Track Classic
6. 12.12p Taylor Chapman Pennridge 2015 03/30/2013 29th Pennsylvania Track Classic
7. 12.12 Dasia Pressley Neshaminy 2016 04/06/2013 Haverford Invitational
8. 12.18pw Alexis Bell Norristown 2013 05/17/2013 PIAA District 1 AAA Championships

 

200 Meter Dash

1. 24.10 Taylor Williams Hatboro Horsham 2014 03/30/2013 UMBC Big Dawg Invite
2. 24.28 Jody-Ann Evans Quakertown 2013 05/17/2013 PIAA District 1 AAA Championships
3. 24.46pw Dasia Pressley Neshaminy 2016 05/17/2013 PIAA District 1 AAA Championships
4. 24.69 Rowanna Watson Norristown 2013 05/04/2013 Lower Merion Invitational
5. 24.74 Jasmine Jones Hempfield Area (7) 2014 05/03/2013 40th Annual Baldwin Invitational
6. 24.80pw Katelyn Jackson Cheltenham 2014 05/17/2013 PIAA District 1 AAA Championships
7. 24.81p Desiree Garland Woodland Hills High School 2013 05/03/2013 40th Annual Baldwin Invitational
8. 24.85 Taylor Chapman Pennridge 2015 03/30/2013 29th Pennsylvania Track Classic

 

400 Meter Dash

1. 55.14 Caela Williams Penn Wood 2013 05/02/2013 Girls Delco Championships
2. 55.50p McKenna Keegan Avon Grove 2016 05/17/2013 PIAA District 1 AAA Championships
3. 55.80 Emma Keenan Gwynedd-Mercy Academy 2013 03/30/2013 29th Pennsylvania Track Classic
4. 55.89 Desiree Garland Woodland Hills High School 2013 05/07/2013 WPIAL AAA Central Section Qualifier
5. 55.97 Jamila Branch Central Bucks West 2014 05/17/2013 PIAA District 1 AAA Championships
6. 56.07 Holly Sullivan Owen J. Roberts 2014 05/10/2013 Pioneer Athletic Conference Championships
7. 56.07 Nini Rogers Pennsbury 2015 05/17/2013 PIAA District 1 AAA Championships
8. 56.57 Crosby Spiess Great Valley 2016 05/03/2013 8th New Balance/Henderson Track & Field Invitational

 

800 Meter Run

1. 2:10.38 Brianna Schwartz Shaler Area 2015 05/16/2013 PIAA District 7 AA & AAA Championships
2. 2:11.15 Emma Keenan Gwynedd-Mercy Academy 2013 05/17/2013 PIAA District 1 AAA Championships
3. 2:12.04 Holly Sullivan Owen J. Roberts 2014 05/17/2013 PIAA District 1 AAA Championships
4. 2:12.52 Libby Nolan Hershey 2013 05/17/2013 PIAA District 3 AAA Championships
5. 2:12.94 Hanna Brosky Emmaus 2014 05/15/2013 PIAA District 11 AAA Championships
6. 2:13.47 Devon Towell West Chester East 2013 05/17/2013 PIAA District 1 AAA Championships
7. 2:13.65 Gina Alm Hampton 2014 05/16/2013 PIAA District 7 AA & AAA Championships
8. 2:14.01 Marissa Sheva Pennridge 2015 05/10/2013 SOL Continental Conference Championships

 

1600 Meter Run

1. 4:47.07 Brianna Schwartz Shaler Area 2015 05/16/2013 PIAA District 7 AA & AAA Championships
2. 4:50.24 Marissa Sheva Pennridge 2015 05/02/2013 Helman Memorial Invitational
3. 4:52.77c Shannon Malone North Hills 2013 05/03/2013 40th Annual Baldwin Invitational
4. 4:55.17 Kelsey Potts Mount Lebanon 2016 05/16/2013 PIAA District 7 AA & AAA Championships
5. 4:55.63 Tessa Barrett Abington Heights 2014 05/07/2013 The Robert Spagna Championship Meet (Lackawanna Ct)
6. 4:56.35 Betsy Erlanger Upper Saint Clair 2013 05/16/2013 PIAA District 7 AA & AAA Championships
7. 4:56.41 Greta Lindsley Penn Manor 2014 05/17/2013 PIAA District 3 AAA Championships
8. 4:56.88 Mary Malone North Hills 2014 04/26/2013 Mars Invitational

 

3200 Meter Run

1. 10:29.08 Courtney Smith Unionville 2014 05/03/2013 8th New Balance/Henderson Track & Field Invitational
2. 10:32.78 Tessa Barrett Abington Heights 2014 05/14/2013 PIAA District 2 AAA Championship
3. 10:37.81 Regan Rome Dallas 2014 05/14/2013 PIAA District 2 AAA Championship
4. 10:41.24 Shannon Malone North Hills 2013 05/16/2013 PIAA District 7 AA & AAA Championships
5. 10:43.62 Veronica Eder Central Bucks East 2013 05/17/2013 PIAA District 1 AAA Championships
6. 10:48.15 Kate Scott Council Rock North 2013 05/17/2013 PIAA District 1 AAA Championships
7. 10:48.88 Olivia Young Unionville 2015 05/03/2013 8th New Balance/Henderson Track & Field Invitational
8. 10:50.30 Kara Steinke Methacton 2014 05/03/2013 8th New Balance/Henderson Track & Field Invitational

 

100 Meter Hurdles

1. 13.78 Kayla Coley Cheltenham 2013 05/10/2013 SOL American Conference Championships
2. 13.98 Ciara Leonard Cheltenham 2015 05/10/2013 SOL American Conference Championships
3. 14.38 Sierra Brabham-Lawrence Harrisburg High School 2015 04/26/2013 Dallastown T&F Invitational
4. 14.74s Mary Witmer Ephrata 2013 05/17/2013 PIAA District 3 AAA Championships
5. 14.76 Beatrice Goodyear Mount Lebanon 2013 05/07/2013 WPIAL AAA South Section Qualifier
6. 14.81 Arianna Camel Gettysburg Area High School 2013 05/04/2013 25th Stan Morgan Invitational
7. 14.86 Jenny Martin Methacton 2015 05/17/2013 PIAA District 1 AAA Championships
8. 14.87 Hannah Williams Garden Spot 2013 04/19/2013 Twin Valley Raider Invitational
9. 14.87s Maddie Holmberg Hempfield Area (7) 2015 05/03/2013 40th Annual Baldwin Invitational
10. 14.87 Elle Wallace Lower Dauphin 2014 05/04/2013 25th Stan Morgan Invitational

 

300 Meter Hurdles

1. 42.11 Mary Witmer Ephrata 2013 05/17/2013 PIAA District 3 AAA Championships
2. 42.91 Kayla Coley Cheltenham 2013 05/10/2013 SOL American Conference Championships
3. 43.89 Rachael DeCecco Cumberland Valley 2014 05/17/2013 PIAA District 3 AAA Championships
4. 43.97 Maddie Holmberg Hempfield Area (7) 2015 05/16/2013 PIAA District 7 AA & AAA Championships
5. 44.35 Amanda Spencer Hampton 2013 05/16/2013 PIAA District 7 AA & AAA Championships
6. 44.52 Hannah Williams Garden Spot 2013 05/17/2013 PIAA District 3 AAA Championships
7. 44.63 Jill Weston Owen J. Roberts 2014 05/10/2013 Pioneer Athletic Conference Championships
8. 44.64 Elle Wallace Lower Dauphin 2014 05/11/2013 Mid-Penn Conference Champs

 

4x100 Meter Relay

1. 47.44 Cheltenham 04/25/2013 The Penn Relays Carnival
2. 47.55 Pennridge 04/25/2013 The Penn Relays Carnival
3. 47.69 Upper Darby 05/02/2013 Girls Delco Championships
4. 47.76 Hempfield Area (7) 05/16/2013 PIAA District 7 AA & AAA Championships
5. 48.17 Mount Lebanon 05/16/2013 PIAA District 7 AA & AAA Championships
6. 48.20 Central Bucks South 05/17/2013 PIAA District 1 AAA Championships
7. 48.43p Neshaminy 05/17/2013 PIAA District 1 AAA Championships
8. 48.50p Penncrest 05/17/2013 PIAA District 1 AAA Championships

 

4x400 Meter Relay

1. 3:47.62 Central Bucks West 05/17/2013 PIAA District 1 AAA Championships
2. 3:51.44 Penn Wood 05/17/2013 PIAA District 1 AAA Championships
3. 3:52.15p Strath Haven 05/17/2013 PIAA District 1 AAA Championships
4. 3:54.37 Pennsbury 04/25/2013 The Penn Relays Carnival
5. 3:54.61 Greater Latrobe 05/16/2013 PIAA District 7 AA & AAA Championships
6. 3:54.70p Upper Darby 05/17/2013 PIAA District 1 AAA Championships
7. 3:55.09 Central Bucks East 05/17/2013 PIAA District 1 AAA Championships
8. 3:55.23p Central Bucks South 05/17/2013 PIAA District 1 AAA Championships

 

4x800 Meter Relay

1. 9:10.09 Great Valley 04/25/2013 The Penn Relays Carnival
2. 9:10.14 Strath Haven 05/17/2013 PIAA District 1 AAA Championships
3. 9:10.39 Pennsbury 04/25/2013 The Penn Relays Carnival
4. 9:11.81 Garnet Valley 05/17/2013 PIAA District 1 AAA Championships
5. 9:13.65 Palmyra 05/17/2013 PIAA District 3 AAA Championships
6. 9:17.23 Central Bucks South 05/17/2013 PIAA District 1 AAA Championships
7. 9:20.24 Central Bucks West 05/17/2013 PIAA District 1 AAA Championships
8. 9:20.55 Owen J. Roberts 05/17/2013 PIAA District 1 AAA Championships

 

Long Jump

1. 19-3.75 Marshay Ryan Chambersburg 2013 05/17/2013 PIAA District 3 AAA Championships
2. 19-3.5 Shatori Walker-Kimbrough Hopewell 2013 05/03/2013 40th Annual Baldwin Invitational
3. 18-11.75 Maddie Holmberg Hempfield Area (7) 2015 05/03/2013 40th Annual Baldwin Invitational
4. 18-10.25 Holly Sullivan Owen J. Roberts 2014 05/17/2013 PIAA District 1 AAA Championships
5. 18-6 Gloria Schifino Penn Hills 2013 05/16/2013 PIAA District 7 AA & AAA Championships
6. 18-5.5 Elizabeth Rauenzahn Blue Mountain 2013 04/26/2013 ASD Invitational
7. 18-5.5 Bridget Guy Hempfield Area (7) 2014 05/16/2013 PIAA District 7 AA & AAA Championships
8. 18-4.25 Cyre Virgo Fleetwood Area 2015 05/17/2013 PIAA District 3 AAA Championships

 

Triple Jump

1. 42-0 Marshay Ryan Chambersburg 2013 05/11/2013 Mid-Penn Conference Champs
2. 39-1.75 Ramonia Benitez Pocono Mountain West 2013 04/26/2013 ASD Invitational
3. 39-1.5 Jayna Coyle Somerset Area 2013 05/16/2013 PIAA District 6 AAA Championships
4. 38-7 Diamond Hodge Girls' High 2013 05/15/2013 PIAA District 12 AAA Championships
5. 37-11.75 Nicolette Serratore Methacton 2015 05/10/2013 Pioneer Athletic Conference Championships
6. 37-11.75 Uchechi Onuoha Pennsbury 2015 05/10/2013 SOL National Conference Championships
7. 37-11.75 Shatori Walker-Kimbrough Hopewell 2013 05/16/2013 PIAA District 7 AA & AAA Championships
8. 37-11 Kelly Robertson Parkland 2013 05/07/2013 Colonial/Lehigh League Championships

 

High Jump

1. 6-1 Cyre Virgo Fleetwood Area 2015 04/16/2013 Wyomissing @ Fleetwood
2. 5-8.25 Abby Jones Franklin Area 2015 05/04/2013 25th Annual Oil Country Track & Field Invitational
3. 5-7 India Mccoy Ambridge Area 2013 05/16/2013 PIAA District 7 AA & AAA Championships
4. 5-5 Jane Lukas Nazareth Area 2013 04/08/2013 Nazareth @ Parkland
5. 5-5 Mckenzie Fagan Grove City Area 2014 04/26/2013 Mars Invitational
6. 5-5 Kristina Coyne Chartiers Valley 2013 04/25/2013 Big South Invitational
7. 5-5 Shannon Taub Council Rock South 2015 05/02/2013 Montgomery Memorial Meet
8. 5-5 Claudine Andre Upper Darby 2014 05/02/2013 Girls Delco Championships

 

Pole Vault

1. 12-4 Amanda Benninghoff Council Rock South 2013 05/10/2013 SOL National Conference Championships
2. 12-3 Hannah Mulhern Altoona Area 2014 05/16/2013 PIAA District 6 AAA Championships
3. 12-1 Bridget Guy Hempfield Area (7) 2014 04/20/2013 TSTCA Outdoor Championships
4. 12-1 Kelsey Plecenik Norwin 2015 05/16/2013 PIAA District 7 AA & AAA Championships
5. 12-0 Kennedy Shank Northern 2015 05/17/2013 PIAA District 3 AAA Championships
6. 11-9 Cassidy Shepherd Greensburg Salem 2013 05/16/2013 PIAA District 7 AA & AAA Championships
7. 11-6 Danielle Poletti Hempfield (3) 2014 04/20/2013 Shippensburg Jack Roddick HS Invitational
8. 11-6 Lexi Masterson Hempfield Area (7) 2013 04/20/2013 TSTCA Outdoor Championships
9. 11-6 Courtney McQuaide Greensburg Salem 2014 04/27/2013 91st Westmoreland County Coaches Association
10. 11-6 Brooke Mancuso North Allegheny 2013 05/03/2013 40th Annual Baldwin Invitational
11. 11-6 Maddie Williams Peters Township 2013 05/16/2013 PIAA District 7 AA & AAA Championships
12. 11-6 Casey Lehecka North Allegheny 2013 05/16/2013 PIAA District 7 AA & AAA Championships
13. 11-6 Brittany Plummer Kennett 2013 05/17/2013 PIAA District 1 AAA Championships
14. 11-6 Moriah Fitzgerald Avon Grove 2014 05/17/2013 PIAA District 1 AAA Championships
15. 11-6 Erin Winters Lebanon 2015 05/17/2013 PIAA District 3 AAA Championships

 

Shot Put

1. 45-3 Courtney McCartney Selinsgrove 2015 04/25/2013 The Penn Relays Carnival
2. 44-0 Adashia Franklyn West Chester Rustin 2014 05/08/2013 Ches-Mont Championship
3. 43-11.5 Jaynee Corbett Corry Area 2013 05/04/2013 25th Annual Oil Country Track & Field Invitational
4. 43-10.75 Sophia Fustos Hickory 2014 04/27/2013 6th Annual Franklin Area Invitational
5. 43-10 Emily Stauffer Cocalico 2016 05/04/2013 Blue Streak Relays
6. 42-8.5 Tyra Roberts Bensalem 2013 04/19/2013 Abington Jack Armstrong Invitational
7. 42-7.5 April Krivoniak Greater Latrobe 2013 05/03/2013 40th Annual Baldwin Invitational
8. 40-9.5 Rachel Fyalkowski Hempfield Area (7) 2013 05/16/2013 PIAA District 7 AA & AAA Championships

 

Discus

1. 135-0 Taylor Hojnacki Central Bucks South 2014 05/10/2013 SOL Continental Conference Championships
2. 129-10 Jessie Wallace Wilson (3) 2014 05/17/2013 PIAA District 3 AAA Championships
3. 128-8 Jenn Slagus North Pocono 2013 04/19/2013 New York Relays
4. 128-3.5 Jaynee Corbett Corry Area 2013 05/04/2013 25th Annual Oil Country Track & Field Invitational
5. 127-10 Holly Arey South Western 2014 05/17/2013 PIAA District 3 AAA Championships
6. 127-5.5 Samantha Merz Elizabeth Forward 2013 04/29/2013 Mid-Mon Classic
7. 126-6 Courtney McCartney Selinsgrove 2015 05/18/2013 PIAA District 4 AA-AAA Championship
8. 125-4 Rachel Boody Shaler Area 2013 05/07/2013 WPIAL AAA North Section Qualifier

 

Javelin

1. 144-7 Cait Mautz Central Bucks West 2013 05/17/2013 PIAA District 1 AAA Championships
2. 139-8 Natalie Shiffler Hempfield Area (7) 2013 04/27/2013 91st Westmoreland County Coaches Association
3. 139-8 Morgan Defloria Hempfield Area (7) 2015 05/16/2013 PIAA District 7 AA & AAA Championships
4. 139-5 Gabby Alguire Tunkhannock 2013 05/14/2013 PIAA District 2 AAA Championship
5. 138-8 Jessica Slagus Belle Vernon 2013 04/27/2013 91st Westmoreland County Coaches Association
6. 136-9 Sarah Stanley South Park High School 2015 05/03/2013 40th Annual Baldwin Invitational
7. 134-7 Shelby Freedman Danville Area 2014 04/27/2013 16th Annual Lock Haven High School Classic
8. 132-10 Steph Sievers Daniel Boone 2015 05/11/2013 BCIAA Firing Championship Track Meet (Berks Ct)