2/10 WKND: Springer-McDougal MRs, Bing wins 60+200, Krais wins 2, Easton rocks|Zarzeczny PA#2 m|PIX

 

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2/10 INDOOR WEEK #11 SUMMARY:

On Saturday at the PTFCA TRACK CARNIVAL @ Lehigh, there were a record 120 teams, including several who traveled from across the state either to qualify for, or to fine-tune for states. The building was filled with talk of the top athletes who were on hand, with two of the boy's races attracting much of the chatter. And the girls competition boasted the presence of junior stars Ryann Krais (Methacton), Chanelle Price (Easton), Carly Seymour (Central Cambria) and Karen Shump (Penncrest). No one should have left disappointed. BOYS HIGHLIGHTS: In the much-anticipated 3000m showdown between Foot Locker Finalist Paul Springer of Unionville (in photo by Don Rich) and Millrose Games Mile Champ Jason Weller of Boyertown, it was the well-rested Springer who pulled out an easier-than-expected win. Cheltenham's Brandon Bing is the consensus sprint star of this season, and he added to his credentials with two wins, going a PA-leading time in the 60 finals, and breaking a 2001 meet record in the 200. The boys 800 boasted a lot of talent, but with all that speed on the tight indoor turns, bumping and some stops-and-starts conspired to slow down the race. In the end, it was North Penn's Steve Franks who held off a fast-closing Corey Grove of Chambersburg. Ryann Krais won the LJ and 60 hurdlesNorristown won two relays, taking the 4x200 and the 4x400, in 3:29.36. Two 60-foot shot putter squared off, and one almost got another over the magic mark on his final throw, but fouled. Chestnut Hill Academy's Wayne Crawford's 60-3 was nullified. The other 60-club member, Joe Kovacs of Bethlehem Catholic, was 2nd, with Bradford's Rob Bleem in 3rd. Three guys cleared 14-06 in the pole vault. And the high jump is shaping up to be a contest after early season indications that William Tennent's Jay Pittenger would dominate this year. GIRLS HIGHLIGHTS: Ryann Krais (left) posted a PA #1 in the 60 hurdles and leapt nearly 19' in the long jump. She also ran anchors on the 4x200 and 4x400. Easton's girls rocked the 4x400 and 4x800 with great opening legs and killer anchors by Chanelle Price. They now lead the state in both the 4x400 and DMR and are #2 in the 4x800. Central Cambria's Carly Seymour (below right) came east to try to reclaim PA#1 in the 3000. But going for time when you're alone after the 2nd lap is one of the hardest things for a distance runner to accomplish. Several late laps dropped her off her pace. Karen Shump of Penncrest has been edging closer to the magic 50' shot put, but with a lot of time between her flight and the finals at this meet, top throws are harder to come by. North Penn's Stephanie McDougal, just committed to East Carolina University, set a big meet record in the pole vault. Hughesville's Rebekah Newhart cleared 5-05 to claim the high jump. Newhart is now in a three-way tie for PA#1. DETAILS IN PTFCA CARNIVAL SUMMARY BELOW. PHOTO GALLERY BY DON RICH OF 2/11 PTFCA TRACK CARNIVAL While a cast of thousands was putting on a show at Lehigh, Villa Maria Academy was putting on a meet in the GLEN MILLS GIRLS INVITATIONAL. Upper Darby's Bintou Tibba won two events, leaping 17-00.75 in the long jump, and 35-03 in the triple. Runsin's Alanna Owens put the shot 40-03.50. Sarah Simonetti, Pennridge, and Christine Smith, Unionville, battled in the mile with Simonetti prevailing 5:18.07 to 5:19.09. And a Delaware State Record was set by Tatnall, who won the 4x800 in 9:25.10. Hatboro-Horsham took 2nd in 9:43.84. Earlier in the week on Monday night 2/5 in New York at the Armory at the RIDGEWOOD VARSITY CLASSIC, Glen Mills' Semaj Spencer moved to within 5.5 inches of US#1 in the triple jump with another PR of 48-05. The jump topped the 48’ 2 ½" all-time Delaware County record set by Leroy Burrell of Penn Wood in 1985. Glen Mills moved into PA#1 in the 4x400 with a 3:26.8. Bernard Goodwyn, also of Glen Mills, ran 49.2 for 2nd in the 400. Upper Darby's Mark Short won the 55 in 6.3, and was 6th in the 200 at 22.8, the same time awarded Glen Mills' Reuben Aimes. Rob McNally, Upper Darby, won the 800 in 1:57.1. Henderson's Chris Aldrich won the 1600 in 4:21.7, with teammate Chris Ferry taking 3rd in the Invitational 1000 at 2:29.1. For the girls, St. Basil's Kathleen Davies was 2nd in the 1600 at 5:12.4 and also captured 3rd in the 3200, going 11:17.2. On Thursday at the TSTCA INDOOR MEET #7 @ Pitt, AA cross country champ Lucas Zarzeczny ran the 2nd fastest mile in PA this season. Pittsburgh Central Catholic's Scott Van Kooten was 2nd. North Allegheny's Jade Hambrick moved into PA#3 in the shot put. Riverside's Denes Veres improved to PA#4 in the boys shot put. In the long jump, Melissa Alauzen of Canon McMillan improved from PA#5 to #4 with a leap nearing 18'. Baldwin became the first western PA team in their first year of doing the DMR to crack the state's top ten, moving into #7. They are anchored by TJ Hobart, an emerging star as a sophomore, who has run 4:22.72 for the mile this season, 3rd best in the state. Diana Filtz, Penn Trafford, inched up the loaded 3000. TFCAGP NOVICE MEET meet results from Lehigh Friday 2/9 now posted as non-subscription. At the BUCKNELL WINTER CLASSIC, Big Spring's Lara Crofford soloed to a win in the 5000 meter run, going 17:22.06. Sunday at the PCL CHAMPIONSHIPS, Cardinal O'Hara swept the girls and boys titles. Sarah Houtmann was a prolific scorer for O'Hara, winning the 400 in 1:00.11 and the long jump at 16-08.25. She took 2nd in the 60 and 200 dashes, which were both won by West Catholic's Simone Carter, who ran 7.91 and 26.21. Steve Werner won two events and added a 2nd and 4th place to help the O'Hara boys. He captured the 200 in 22.90 and the long jump, going 21-07.75. His 7.16 was good for 2nd in the 60, plus took 4th in the 60 hurdles. Archbishop Prendergast's Colleen Boland won the mile in 5:17.54 and the 3000 in 10:37.33.

 
Simone Carter, West Catholic, takes the 60 and the 200.

 

2/5 Ridgewood (NJ) Varsity Classic @ New York Armory

RESULTS POSTED

Glen Mills' Semaj Spencer moved to within 5.5 inches of US#1 in the triple jump with another PR of 48-05. The jump topped the 48’ 2 ½" all-time Delaware County record set by Leroy Burrell of Penn Wood in 1985. He also high jumped 6-04. Glen Mills moved into PA#1 in the 4x400 with a 3:26.8. Bernard Goodwyn, also of Glen Mills, ran 49.2 for 2nd in the 400. Upper Darby's Mark Short won the 55 in 6.3, and was 6th in the 200 at 22.8, the same time awarded Glen Mills' Reuben Aimes. Rob McNally, Upper Darby, won the 800 in 1:57.1. Henderson's Chris Aldrich won the 1600 in 4:21.7, with teammate Chris Ferry taking 3rd in the Invitational 1000 at 2:29.1. For the girls, St. Basil's Kathleen Davies was 2nd in the 1600 at 5:12.4 and also captured 3rd in the 3200, going 11:17.2.

North Penn's Steve Franks who held off a fast-closing Corey Grove of Chambersburg

  

2/8 TSTCA Indoor Meet #4 @ University of Pittsburgh

RESULTS POSTED

AA cross country champ Lucas Zarzeczny ran the 2nd fastest mile in PA this season, going 4:21.1. Pittsburgh Central Catholic's Scott Van Kooten was 2nd at 4:25.5. North Allegheny's Jade Hambrick moved into PA#3 in the shot put with a throw of 41-10. Riverside's Denes Veres improved to PA#4 with a throw of 59-0. Hempfield's Wes Banks was 2nd, within three inches. In the long jump, Melissa Alauzen of Canon McMillan improved from PA#5 to #4 with a leap of 17-08. Baldwin became the first western PA team in their first year of doing the DMR to crack the state's top ten, moving into #7 with a 10:52.6. They are anchored by TJ Hobart, an emerging star as a sophomore, who has run 4:22.72 for the mile this season, 3rd best in the state. Diana Filtz, Penn Trafford, inched up the loaded 3000 list with a 10:40.5.

 Chanelle Price anchored the two winning 4x400 and 4x800 relays.

2/9 TFCAGP Indoor Novice Meet @ Lehigh University

RESULTS POSTED

 

2/10 Glen Mills Girls Invitational @ Glen Mills Schools

RESULTS POSTED

While a cast of thousands was putting on a show at Lehigh, Villa Maria Academy was putting on a girls-only meet at Glen Mills. Upper Darby's Bintou Tibba won two events, leaping 17-00.75 in the long jump, and 35-03 in the triple. Runsin's Alanna Owens put the shot 40-03.50. Sarah Simonetti, Pennridge, and Christine Smith, Unionville, battled in the mile with Simonetti prevailing 5:18.07 to 5:19.09. And a Delaware State Record was set by Tatnall, who won the 4x800 in 9:25.10. Hatboro-Horsham took 2nd in 9:43.84.

 

2/10 Mid-Atlantic Prep League Champs @ Lawrenceville School, NJ

RESULTS COMING

Paul Springer pulls away from Jason Weller in the        
    2nd half of the 3000 to break his own meet record.        

2/10 PTFCA Indoor Track Carnival @ Lehigh University

RESULTS POSTED

 
PHOTO GALLERY BY DON RICH OF 2/11 PTFCA TRACK CARNIVAL


There were a record 120 teams, including several who traveled from across the state either to qualify for, or to fine-tune for states. The building was filled with talk of the top athletes who were on hand, with two of the boy's races attracting much of the chatter. And the girls competition boasted the presence of junior stars Ryann Krais (Methacton), Chanelle Price (Easton), Carly Seymour (Central Cambria) and Karen Shump (Penncrest). No one should have left disappointed. BOYS SUMMARY: In the much-anticipated 3000m showdown between Foot Locker Finalist Paul Springer of Unionville and Millrose Games Mile Champ Jason Weller of Boyertown, it was the well-rested Springer who pulled out an easier-than-expected win. Springer sat on Weller's shoulder through the first mile, and then after taking the lead, steadily pulled away with an even, then increasing pace. His splits of :68, 2:18, 3:28, 4:36, 6:53 with a final :64 400 resulted in a statement 8:32.06, breaking his own meet record of 8:43.96. It is probably the 4th best indoor 3K all-time in PA. Weller finished in 8:45.78, looking tired over the final few laps. Springer appeared to recover quickly. He'll look to the mile and 800 double at States, before running the 5K at NSIC in March. Weller is aiming for the 3K at States, but entries are not final until next Sunday. Weller moved into first with less than 200 to go, (in photo to left) but was passed by the Wissahickon anchor Nick Crits to take 2nd 10:48.41 to 10:50.32 (Wissahickon splits: Scott Kern 1200- 3:21.4, Kevin Bray 400- 52.3, Brahma Kumar 800- 2:07.3, Nick Crits 1600- 4:27.4). They have run 10:31.3 this season. Cheltenham's Brandon Bing is the consensus sprint star of this season, and he added to his credentials with two wins, going a PA-leading 7.00 in the 60 finals, and breaking a 2001 meet record of 22.17 held by Terrance Day of Simon Gratz, going 22.14 in the 200. The boys 800 boasted a lot of talent, but with all that speed on the tight indoor turns, bumping and some stops-and-starts conspired to slow down the race. In the end, it was North Penn's Steve Franks who held off a fast-closing Corey Grove of Chambersburg, 1:58.80 to 1:58.88. Germantown Academy's Elliot Rhodes, Wissahickon's Nick Crits, and recently-finished-with-BBall's Andrew Rotz of Central Dauphin, all finished within two seconds. Cue the banked track of Penn State for this rematch. Norristown won two relays, taking the 4x200 in 1:33.65, and the final race of the day, the 4x400, in 3:29.36 (approximate splits: 53.9, 51.9, 52.6, 51.0). Two 60-foot shot putter squared off, and one almost got another over the magic mark on his final throw, but fouled. Chestnut Hill Academy's Wayne Crawford's 60-3 was nullified, but his 56-04.75 was good enough for the win. The other 60-club member, Joe Kovacs of Bethlehem Catholic, threw 55-11.59 for 2nd, with Bradford's Rob Bleem in 3rd at 55-05.50. Three guys cleared 14-06 in the pole vault, with Daniel Boone's Justin Germani winning. Joe Berry, Hatboro-Horsham, and Tony Shirk, Phoenixville, were 2nd and 3rd, respectively. And the high jump is shaping up to be a contest after early season indications that William Tennent's Jay Pittenger would dominate this year. Pittenger was 3rd, clearing 6-04. Neshaminy's Tim Malloy won on misses over Phoenixville's Kyriq Williams, both over at 6-06. GIRLS SUMMARY: Ryann Krais posted a PA #1 8.70 in the 60 hurdles and leapt 18-11.75 in the long jump. She also ran anchors on the 4x200 and 4x400. Easton's girls rocked the 4x400 and 4x800 with great opening legs and killer anchors by Chanelle Price (55.5/2:10). Their 3:57.76 is the top time in the state. Splits were: Abbie Dubin-Rhodin 62.4, Jessica Dorsey 58.9, Tenesia Simpson 60.6, Price 55.5 - coach provided). In the 4x800, Easton never let anyone else into the race after the opening leg. Allyse Barlow opened in 2:27, followed by Abbie Dubin-Rhodin in 2:23, Jenna Liew in 2:30, and Price's closing 2:10 for a 9:33.38. The mark is now a PA#2 behind St. Basil's 9:32.26. The team is undecided between the 4x800 or DMR at States, but speculation is you'll see them earlier in the meet, rather than later. One thing you can count on is, expect to see Price in four events at States in two weeks. Central Cambria's Carly Seymour came east to try to reclaim PA#1 in the 3000. But going for time when you're alone after the 2nd lap is one of the hardest things for a distance runner to accomplish. Several late laps dropped her off her pace, but she still finished in a 10:21.30. She'll get great competition at States, where the meet record should receive a strong challenge. Karen Shump of Penncrest has been edging closer to the magic 50' shot put, but with a lot of time between her flight and the finals at this meet, top throws are harder to come by. Her early 46-04.50 held up for 1st, with Gabriella Rinehart of Norristown also over 40 at 41-07.00. North Penn's Stephanie McDougal, just committed to East Carolina University, set a big meet record in the pole vault, clearing 12-06. Hughesville's Rebekah Newhart cleared 5-05 to claim the high jump, with Methacton's Betsy Dempsey a strong 2nd at 5-04. Newhart is now in a three-way tie for PA#1. Going 58.03, Council Rock South's Ijeoma Iheoma won the 400 by just .18 over Easton's Jessica Dorsey. Germantown Academy's Caitlin DeFusco edged Swenson frosh Shanae Bailey in the 200, 25.19 to 25.74. Bailey still holds the PA#1 time of 24.89, run at the NY Armory. Bailey did anchor the winning 4x200 to a 1:47.90, and won the 60 in 7.76. Cedar Cliff used the anchor by Kassie Meholick to win the DMR in 12:49.34.


2/10 Bucknell Winter Classic

RESULTS POSTED

Big Spring's Lara Crofford soloed to a 17:22.06 win in the 5000 meter run.

 

2/11 PCL Championships @ Lehigh University

RESULTS POSTED

Cardinal O'Hara swept the girls and boys titles. The girls won by 44 over West Catholic, while LaSalle kept it close, being edged by five in the boys competition. Sarah Houtmann was a prolific scorer for O'Hara, winning the 400 in 1:00.11 and the long jump at 16-08.25. She took 2nd in the 60 and 200 dashes, which were both won by West Catholic's Simone Carter, who ran 7.91 and 26.21. Steve Werner won two events and added a 2nd and 4th place to help the O'Hara boys. He captured the 200 in 22.90 and the long jump, going 21-07.75. His 7.16 was good for 2nd in the 60, plus took 4th in the 60 hurdles. Archbishop Prendergast's Colleen Boland won the mile in 5:17.54 and the 3000 in 10:37.33.

 

2/13 TSTCA High Jump Competition @ Montour HS

RESULTS COMING