4/7 WKND: C. Valley sweeps to wins @ Dallas-7 MRs in the wind|PCL sweeps 4x800 in VA-snow nixes Sat

3/31 OUTDOOR WEEK #2 SUMMARY:

In all, there were seven meet records, six in field events and one on the track at the blustery and to-the-bone cold 6th BRUCE DALLAS INV @ Cumb. Valley HS. There were a few double champs, and a few athletes who soloed and contributed to three or more event wins. CV swept the team titles behind Juan Steward (Steward in the 100 trials - photo by PTXC) and Abby Huber, but AA Boiling Springs was 2nd in the girls team chase. Justin Shirk got a MR in the Jav to start his soph campaign. At the COUNCIL ROCK KIWANIS INV at Council Rock North HS, Coatesville was 42 points better that Neshaminy in the 19-team invite, powered in large part by their distance squad. Jason Ward won the 3000 in 8:48.5, with teammate Jason Leonard 2nd in 9:01.7. Drew Mahoney took the 5000 in 16:13.4. Owen Dawson was 2nd in the 800 in 2:00.1 to Mike Pio's 1:59.5 running for Tennent. And Kyle Dawson was 2nd in the 1500 in 4:10.2. Isaac Bryan of Pennridge took 1st in 4:08.2. Coatesville won the DMR and the 800 sprint medley relay. In the pole vault, both Joe Berry of Hatboro-Horsham and Max Chichkin of Council Rock South cleared 14-06. Abington's Jerret Eaton captured both the 110 and 400 hurdles. Quick sprints from Kyle Reeves of Pennsburg in the 100; by Chad Sargent of Neshaminy for 200; and Cheltenham's Brandon Bing in the 400. At the MORGAN STATE HS INV in Maryland, Norristown performed well in the blustery conditions. Raevonn Mitchell went 12.71 in the prelims, but 12.86 for 4th in the finals of the 100. The girls 4x100 was 3rd in 51.08. Gabriella Rinehart won the shot put with a throw of 37-02. Peter Selby took 1st in the 110 hurdles in 12.86, and the guy's 4x400 went 3:30.99 for 3rd. At the SUSQUEHANNA HS CLASSIC at Susquehanna University, The Hughesville hurdle-jump tandem of Rachel Houseknecht and Rebekah Newhart were busy accumulating points. Rachel won the 100 hurdles in 15.25 and the 300 hurdles in 46.85. Rebekah was 2nd in the 100 hurdles in 15.97, and took 1st in the high jump, clearing 5-04, 1st in the long jump with a leap of 17-00.50, and 1st in the triple jump, going 36-00.50. Williamsport's Josh King went 11.21 to edge Montoursville's Gary Bush in the 100, and led the Millionaire's 4x100 to a win in 44.48. Zachary Barr of Williamsport put the javelin out 180'. At the CHESTNUT HILL ACADEMY INVITATIONAL, Chestnut Hill's Phil Thomas bettered a year-old meet record in the long jump by an inch, going 21-06 in the long jump. Wayne Crawford tuned up in the shot put with a throw of 52-04. And Penn Charter's 1600 sprint medley relay ran 3:47.4.

(In the photo by Brandon Miles of MileSplit.com, you can
see the snow that led to the cancellation of Day Two of the Colonial Relays) 

The COLONIAL RELAYS at W&M in VA returned after a two-year absence with a familiar flavor – lots of PA teams. Oh... and on Day One - 4/6 - PA on top on in the 4x800. Archbishop Prendergast ran a strong 9:37.49 for the win, with Saint Basil Academy close for 2nd in 9:42.66. LaSalle led the boys' race, winning in 8:01.24. Great Valley took 2nd in 8:06.24, followed by Upper Dublin in 4th, Germantown Friends in 5th, and Archbishop Ryan in 6th. Basil's Kathleen Davis captured the 3000 in 10:21.13. Germantown Friends' Jake McKenzie had the best showing for the PA boys in the 3K. PA – or should be say Monsignor Bonner? – went one-two in the shot put. Sean Wilks threw 50-11 for the win. Chris Licci was 2nd with a toss of 49-00. Five PA girls' team moved to the finals of the 4x100, behind the top qualifying time of Swenson. Four PA boys' teams qualified. Father Judge had the 2nd best qualifier. Leemue Koimene of Father Judge cleared 6-1 to take the boys' high jump.  It was cold and windy in Southwest Virginia at the FASTER, FARTHER, HIGH INVITATIONAL at Radford University on Saturday as well, and Wilson HS of West Lawn PA must have felt like it was home. But Tory Toso persevered and won the pole vault. She also ran on the winning 4x100 relay. The Wilson girls also won the 4x800. For the Wilson boys, Donnie Wonnie won the 400. He also ran on the winning 4x400. Kris Brown was quick for the conditions in the 200. Chris Dodds was 2nd in the pole vault, and Shane Witmyer was 3rd in the long jump. WIlson's boys also took 2nd in the 4x100. The girls tied for first in the team competition with Blacksburg VA with 112 points. The boys were 2nd to Kings Fork VA. On Thursday 4/5 at the RUSTIN INVITATIONAL at West Chester's new Bayard Runsin HS, it was quite a workout for Unionville ace Paul Springer. He told the Philadelphia Inquirer (see article link below) that with the races he ran, plus a morning run and warm-downs, it was a 12.5 mile day. He won the 800 in 2:00.60, and ran tempo to take 2nd in the 1600 in 4:34.34 and in the 3200 in 10:23.10. He also ran the 4x400, which Unionville won in 3:43.06. Alanna Owens ruled the shot put for the home team, throwing 40-04.75. Unionville's Mattie Pancost went 119' in the Javelin. Avon Grove's Briana Cavallaro and Henderson's Tim Shea each won their respective 100 and 200 races. Villa Maria's Erica Keenan took the long and triple jumps to go with a win in the 300 hurdles. Avon Grove's Jerrell Graver took the boy's long and triple. On Wednesday, 4/4 at the LARRY SIMMONS INVITATIONAL at Penncrest, Ridley's Sam Smarkola pulled off a quick sprint double in the 200 and 400. In the half-lapper, Cardinal O'Hara's Sarah Houtmann was sub 26. For the boys, Kevin Wilbank sub-23. The 3200's were strong and with some good depth. Rob Speare of Strath Haven set the pace, with George Walton, Haverford, Dave Spandorfer, Lower Merion, and Nick Bonaventure, Penncrest, all within six to fifteen seconds, respectively. Radnor's Hannah Granger and Liz Milewski went one-two in sub-11:20's. Cardinal O'Hara swept the 4x100's and 4x400's. The Strath Haven boys were within two-tenths-of-a-second of the winning time in the 4x100. In the throws delayed until Saturday because of Wednesday's weather, Karen Shump of host Penncrest, won the Discus with a throw of 124-11 and the shot put with her toss of 45-06. The BROOKVILLE INVITATIONAL, which had been scheduled for April 5, was postponed until Saturday Aprile 14th because of bad weather. The WOODLAWN WARRIOR INV in Maryland was postponed from 4/7 to Sat 4/21 because of inclement weather.

4/4 - The Larry Simmons Invitational @ Penncrest HS

RESULTS POSTED (shot put, discus and javelin completed 4/7 because of bad weather on 4/4)

Ridley's Sam Smarkola pulled off a quick sprint double, going 12.50 and 59.76 to take the 200 and 400. In the half-lapper, Cardinal O'Hara's Sarah Houtmann went 25.75. For the boys, Kevin Wilbank ran 22.82. The 3200's were strong and with some good depth. Rob Speare of Strath Haven set the pace with a 9:33.62, with George Walton, Haverford, Dave Spandorfer, Lower Merion, and Nick Bonaventure, Penncrest, all within six to fifteen seconds, respectively. Radnor's Hannah Granger and Liz Milewski went one-two in 11:26.39 and 11:26.91. Cardinal O'Hara swept the 4x100's and 4x400's, going 50.41 and and 4:04.92 in the girls races, and 43.27 and 3:27.65 in the boys'. The Strath Haven boys were within two-tenths-of-a-second of the winning time in the 4x100. In the throws delayed until Saturday because of Wednesday's weather, Karen Shump of host Penncrest, won the Discus with a throw of 124-11 and the shot put with her toss of 45-06.

4/5 - Brookville Invitational

POSTPONED UNTIL SATURDAY APRIL 14 BECAUSE OF BAD WEATHER

4/5 - Rustin Invitational @ Bayard Rustin HS

RESULTS POSTED

Unionville's Springer racks up the mileage - by Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer

It was quite a workout for Unionville ace Paul Springer. He told the Philadelphia Inquirer (see article link) that with the races he ran, plus a morning run and warm-downs, it was a 12.5 mile day. He won the 800 in 2:00.60, and ran tempo to take 2nd in the 1600 in 4:34.34 and in the 3200 in 10:23.10. He also ran the 4x400, which Unionville won in 3:43.06. Alanna Owens ruled the shot put for the home team, throwing 40-04.75. Unionville's Mattie Pancost went 119' in the Javelin. Avon Grove's Briana Cavallaro and Henderson's Tim Shea each won their respective 100 and 200 races. Villa Maria's Erica Keenan took the long and triple jumps to go with a win in the 300 hurdles. Avon Grove's Jerrell Graver took the boy's long and triple.

4/6-7 - Colonial Relays @ The College of William & Mary, VA

DAY ONE RESULTS POSTED

DAY TWO CANCELLED BECAUSE OF SNOW

Video by Brandon Miles of MileStat.com 

The meet returned after a two-year absence with a familiar flavor – lots of PA teams. Oh... and PA on top on in the 4x800. Archbishop Prendergast ran a strong 9:37.49 for the win, with Saint Basil Academy close for 2nd in 9:42.66 (photo by Brandon Miles of MileSplit.com). LaSalle led the boys' race, winning in 8:01.24. Great Valley took 2nd in 8:06.24, followed by Upper Dublin in 4th, Germantown Friends in 5th, and Archbishop Ryan in 6th. Basil's Kathleen Davis captured the 3000 in 10:21.13. Germantown Friends' Jake McKenzie had the best showing for the PA boys, finishing 7th in 8:59.35. PA – or should be say Monsignor Bonner? – went one-two in the shot put. Sean Wilks threw 50-11 for the win. Chris Licci was 2nd with a toss of 49-00. Five PA girls' team moved to the finals of the 4x100, behind the top qualifying time of Swenson in 49.23. Four PA boys' teams qualified. Father Judge had the 2nd best qualifier at 44.55. Leemue Koimene of Father Judge cleared 6-1 to take the boys' high jump. Greg Barksdale of LaSalle and Anthony Adams of Archbishop Ryan were 2nd and 3rd, both going over at 6-0.

PA Teams

Father Judge

Archbishop Ryan

Monsignor Bonner

Great Valley

Swenson

Archbishop Prendergast

LaSalle College

Saint Basil Academy

Upper Dublin

Germantown Friends

4/6-7 - Faster Farther Higher Invitational @ Radford University, VA

RESULTS POSTED

It was cold and windy in Southwest Virginia, and Wilson HS of West Lawn PA must have felt like it was home. But Tory Toso persevered and won the pole vault, clearing 10-11.75. She also ran on the winning 4x100 relay, which went 53.57. The WIlson girls also won the 4x800, going 10:13.23. For the Wilson boys, Donnie Wonnie went 53.66 to win the 400. He also ran on the winning 4x400, which went 3:46.55. Kris Brown ran 23.71 in the 200 for 5th. Chris Dodds was 2nd in the pole vault, and Shane Witmyer was 3rd in the long jump. Wilson's boys also took 2nd in the 4x100. The girls tied for first in the team competition with Blacksburg VA with 112 points. The boys were 2nd to Kings Fork VA. 

4/7 - 6th Bruce Dallas Invitational @ Cumberland Valley HS

RESULTS POSTED

Photo Gallery by Don Rich of the 4/7 Bruce Dallas Invitational @ Cumberland Valley HS

In six years, they have had snow. They have had thunder and lightening. They have had tropical storm-induced rain. And they have had reasonably nice weather for an early April Saturday. But this year, it was just plain cold. And not that tolerable kind where you just put on a layer or two and keep moving... but the kind of cold that even some of the folks from Bradford – that outpost in northwest PA a stone's throw from the New York border – said was cold. Relentless, tent-toppling winds and a bitter chill that simply went right through you. So the fact that there were some amazing performances, especially in the field events where wind can play havoc with discs and javs and airporne bodies, is remarkable.

In all, there were seven meet records, six in field events and one on the track. There were a few double champs, and a few athletes who soloed and contributed to three or more event wins. The meet began with a meet record by the host Cumberland Valley girls in the 4x800. Anchored by a 2:21.5 by Shippensburg-bound Abby Huber; Lauren Thompson (2:28.0), Jessie Huber (2:29.1) and an under-the-weather Paige Anderson went 9:45.08 in the 4x800, erasing the 2004 mark of 9:56.59 set by CV in 2003. The 10-points in the win set them up for a 10-point margin of victory in the team chase over AA (yep, I said AA) Boiling Springs. More on their wins in a minute. Abby Huber would add a win in the open 800 of 2:27.06 and then anchor the winning 4x400 in 1:01.1 to within a second of the existing meet record with their 4:12.78. Thompson led off in 1:03.8, followed by Caitlin Sullivan in 1:04.6 and Lauren Reilly in 1:03.3 (in photo of CV's winning 4x400 on right, with Lauren Thompson, Caitlin Sullivan and Lauren Reilly). The final team margin was 89 to 79 over Boiling Springs, which was led by the individual and relay efforts of juniors Kara Millhouse and Anna Bixler (the daughter of Cumberland Valley head coach Bill Bixler). Millhouse helped the Bubblers to 4th place points in the 4x800, and then ran two strategic wins in the 1600 in 5:26.58 and the 3200 in 11:56.76, before contributing to the 4:16.06 2nd place 4x400. Boiling Spring's Kellie Dowling ran on the 4x400 and also won the open 400, going 1:01.27. Bixler captured the 100 hurdles in 16.72 and a 48.20 in the 300 hurdles, before running on their 4x400. Daniel Boone's Aubrie McAlpine had two individual wins, taking the 100 in 12.78 and the 200 in 27.57. She also anchored the winning come-from-behind 4x100 to a 52.63 victory. Reading's Jazmin Hunt set a meet record along with Central Dauphin's Katie Butler in clearing 5-02 in the high jump. She had run a 15.50 in the trials of the 100 hurdles before finishing 4th in the finals. Emmaus' Julia Green cleared 11-1 to set a meet record in the pole vault. And in the long jump, Cedar Crest's Casey Krause leapt 17-01.75 to set a new meet best.

A good Steward of the Cumb. Valley sprint tradition.

The Cumberland Valley boys were even more dominant than the girls, tallying 101 points for a comfortable win over 2nd place Central Dauphin. Leading their charge was junior sprinter Juan Steward with individual wins in the 100 at 11.36, the 200 at 22.61, and anchoring the victorious 4x100 to a 44.83 and the winning 4x400 to a 3:29.00. His anchor 51.1 was set up by Nick Vucurevich in 53.9, Josh Shumberger in 51.9 (in PTXC photo during first exchange)  and Preston Casper in 52.1. Steward says he misses gradated sprinter David Stonfer (now at Temple), but that after a strong indoor by the Eagles, he is confident both personally and for his teammates that they "can compete well" during outdoor. After posting his all-time best of 21.84 during indoor, he sees a lot of strong competition across PA, especially from the senior sprinter from Chentenham.. "I just want to hang with Bing," Steward says. "And there are others, as well." HIs workouts that include 500 and 600 repeats, plus ladders of 500-400-300-200, are not different than in prior years. "But," Steward says, "what's different is I am more motivated. I go through my workouts as hard as I can."

No shirking of high goals for this athlete.

The first field mark to fall for the boys was in the Javelin. With the throwing area at Cumberland Valley situated to take the full side and sometimes head-on brunt of the wind, it is not a place where April throwers can usually set PRs. And while sophomore Justin Shirk (in PTXC photo) of Central Dauphin didn't PR, he was aiming for something -– the met record of 168-04 held by 2003 Cedar Crest grad Thomas Jordan. On his first throw, Shirk was over 171. A reasonably consistent series ensued, finished his best toss of the day, 172-00. "I knew the record was achievable, so I went for it" Shirk said. As a freshman who had been talked into the Javelin (I'm glad he did") by CD head coach Thomas Eck, Shirk set the US frosh record of 207-05 in a dual meet, finished 3rd at States with an outdoor invite best of 198-07, and went on to take 3rd and earn his first all-American honor at the Nike Outdoor Nationals with a throw of 196-03. A quarterback-running back-linebacker for the state caliber CD football team, Shirk is aiming far for 2007. He started with throws of 185 and 189-something in his first two dual meets in much nicer weather, and is looking to eclipse the national new jav sophomore record by the end of the season. The biggest difference this year, Shirk says, is that h was just trying to learn the sport as a freshman and was looking to get his name out there. This year, he is more able to concentrate on form. He also owns a pair of jav shoes for the first time. "They help get my lead oot out, get a better plan, and better block." With an improving technique and the right tools, he says he is aiming for 220 this year. "Next year, I want to aim for the state all-time best."

  The 2nd place 4x400 of the AA Boiling Springs Bubblers -
l to r: Anna Bixler, Erin Dowling, Kara Millhouse and Kellie Dowling (photo by PTXC)

In the open 400, West Chester East's Andrew Lobb posted a 51.51, to hold off Shumberger and Cedar Crest's Jared Feinstein by less than a second. Lobb had helped East start the meet with a record 8:15.38 in the 4x800. Cedar Crest was 2nd in 8:15.66 and Cumberland Valley 3rd in 8:17.88. Casper added the 300 hurdles to the winning column for the Eagle in 40.84. Central Dauphin's Tyler Golden was 2nd in 40.84. It was fitting that in a meet named for a Cumberland Valley high jumper that the meet record would move up to 6-06. Lewisburg's Graham Huber did the honors. Reading's Sheriff Jabin tied the former meet mark at 6-04. In the pole vault, Justin Germani of Daniel Boone cleared 14-06 to set a very strong meet mark in swirling winds. Rob Bleem of Bradford, took 2nd in the javelin with a throw of 166-08, before finishing 2nd in the Discus and taking the shot put with a toss of 54-08.50.

2007 Performance List

2007 Teams

Boiling Springs High School

Bradford Area High School

Cedar Crest High School

Central Dauphin High School

Cumberland Valley High School

Daniel Boone High School

Dallas Area High School

East Pennsboro High School

Emmaus High School

Lewisburg High School

Lewistown Area High School

Manheim Township High School

Methacton High School

Reading High School

Sherando High School

Southern Columbia High School

Trinity High School

West Chester East High School

4/7 - 7th Annual Woodlawn Warrior Invitational, Woodlawn, MD

Postponed from Sat 4/7 to Sat 4/21 because of inclement weather

4/7 - Chestnut Hill Academy Invitational

RESULTS POSTED

Chestnut Hill's Phil Thomas bettered a year-old meet record in the long jump by an inch, going 21-06 in the long jump. Wayne Crawford tuned up in the shot put with a throw of 52-04. And Penn Charter's 1600 sprint medley relay ran 3:47.4.

4/7 - Council Rock Kiwanis Invitational @ Councl Rock North HS

RESULTS POSTED

Coatesville was 42 points better that Neshaminy in the 19-team invite, powered in large part by their distance squad. Jason Ward won the 3000 in 8:48.5, with teammate Jason Leonard 2nd in 9:01.7. Drew Mahoney took the 5000 in 16:13.4. Owen Dawson was 2nd in the 800 in 2:00.1 to Mike Pio's 1:59.5 running for Tennent. And Kyle Dawson was 2nd in the 1500 in 4:10.2. Isaac Bryan of Pennridge took 1st in 4:08.2. Coatesville won the DMR in 10:47.3, less than four seconds ahead of Central Bucks West. They also took the 800 sprint medley relay in 1:36.3. In the pole vault, both Joe Berry of Hatboro-Horsham and Max Chichkin of Council Rock South cleared 14-06. Abington's Jerret Eaton captured both hurdles, running 14.2 for 110m and 55.4 for 400. Quick sprints from Kyle Reeves of Pennsburg in the 100 at 10.9; by Chad Sargent of Neshaminy, 22.8 for 200; and Cheltenham's Brandon Bing going 49.5 for 400.

4/7 - Morgan State High School Invitational, Baltimore MD

RESULTS POSTED

Norristown traveled to Baltimore and performed well in the blustery conditions. Raevonn Mitchell went 12.71 in the prelims, but 12.86 for 4th in the finals of the 100. The girls 4x100 was 3rd in 51.08. Gabriella Rinehart won the shot put with a throw of 37-02. Peter Selby took 1st in the 110 hurdles in 12.86, and the guy's 4x400 went 3:30.99 for 3rd.

4/7 - PW Colonial Relays @ Plymouth-Whitemarh HS

CANCELLED IN 2007 BECAUSE OF CONSTRUCTION

4/7 - Susquehanna High School Classic @ Susquehanna University

RESULTS POSTED

The Hughesville hurdle-jump tandem of Rachel Houseknecht and Rebekah Newhart were busy accumulating points. Rachel won the 100 hurdles in 15.25 and the 300 hurdles in 46.85. Rebekah was 2nd in the 100 hurdles in 15.97, and took 1st in the high jump, clearing 5-04, 1st in the long jump with a leap of 17-00.50, and 1st in the triple jump, going 36-00.50. Caitlin Cavanaugh of Danville ran 11:28.05 in the 3200. Williamsport's Josh King went 11.21 to edge Montoursville's Gary Bush in the 100, and led the Millionaire's 4x100 to a win in 44.48. Zachary Barr of Williamsport put the javelin out 180', with Greenwood's Jordan Myers just over two feet back.

4/7 OUTDOOR WEEK #2 PREVIEW: PA teams head for warmer weather in Virginia, including to the revived Colonial Relays at William & Mary... Bruce Dallas Inv at Cumberland Valley attracts some more Philly teams and Bradford from the far northwest. Generally,  it's a lighter weekend because of the holidays. I'll be at my alma mater (after a Friday evening visit with my new grandson, of coursee.