Are the Pennsbury girls biggest threat to Cheltenham throne?
This season, team state champions Cheltenham have shown the strength and depth of their team week in week out, a formula that led them to success a year ago. They top the state in one relay and are PA#2 in another, and the members of those relay teams are in the top 8 of each sprint and hurdle event.
While they have been writing many of this season's headlines, Pennsbury has been going about their business and have slowly built a title contender. We all knew about the ability they possess in the distance events after winning their 4th cross country state title in five years, which has led to the top 4x8 relay in the state at the moment, and top 8 marks in the mile and 3000.
But behind that group is a team that has made giant leaps towards the top of the state. The team already had the state triple jump champion in Uchechi Onuoha, who reclaimed the top spot in the triple jump last Thursday. But the spark that arguably has inspired this rise has been the addition of Dasia Pressley from Neshaminy. Pressley has been on fire since her debut in early January. She has made the top five in the 55 and 200 meter dashes, and have inspired their 4x200 meter relay team to the PA#2 spot.
The ability to score points in all three phases of the meet is one of the formulas to success. In the weeks to come, we will be able to further test their title credentials against the reigning champions.
Cheltenham boys on pace for a historic season
Two more relay races, two more US#1s for the Cheltenham boys team. In the last three relay appearances, they have run a US#1 performance. They now own the sprint relays with three US#1 marks and 6 weeks left of competition to go.
You have to go back to 2011 for this level of dominance in the relays. Abington set two state records in a 48 hour period at the same meet. They ran 3:16.78 in the 4x4 and 7:45.96 in the 4x8. Cheltenham ran 3:18.41 and 1:28.40 in the 4x2. Like Cheltenham, Abington were the kings of the country. Unfortunately, that run was short lived, as they lost the 4x8 and the state record at the state meet and missed out on two golds outdoors.
For Cheltenham to reach heights no team has ever reached before, composure will be key. They will be heavy favorites to win all the gold at the state meet. Being the hunted is a bigger challenge than being the hunters. How they handle the pressure will define this team's legacy in PA track history.
Trio of Western PA stars make themselves title contenders
The Western PA schools have finally gotten their indoor seasons off and running, and through two weeks, the stars of the West have emerged to the top of the mountain.
No surprise to see at the top is Madeleine Davison of North Allegheny after her US#1 9:54.14 3000 meter performance. Her performance raised the stakes in the 3000 meters after Mady Clahane ran 9:59.40 the week before. Davison's next challenge will be to try and do what no one else in PA has managed to do as of late and that's beat Brianna Schwartz in a track race.
Mitch Valko of South Fayette has been consistent in the 60 meter hurdles, failing to lose at the even in four tries. His latest meet put him on top of the state list, becoming the first 60 meter hurdler to break 8.10. Valko is the reigning silver medalist in the 60 hurdles. Will his consistency and experience propel him to the gold in 4 weeks?
Last but not least is the rise of sophomore Hayden Fox of Hempfield (7) in the pole vault. Fox was a 13-9 vaulter at the end of his 9th grade outdoor season last year. In Fox's last three appearances, he has set lietime PRs, including a PA#2 15-1 last night at the Hempfield Pole Vault event. We haven't seen a sophomore perform this well is many years. Can he upset the favorites Ryan Wilkes and Chris Stone and steal a gold medal?
These three are the first of many from Western PA that will have a big say in what happens at the state meet. Keep following the site in the next few weeks to see who else from Western PA will join them.