The PTFCA Indoor State Championships will be broadcast LIVE this Sunday starting at 10am on PennTrackXC.com! You can watch the meet at the following link:
PTFCA Indoor State Championship Live Webcast!
Girls Previews: Field | Sprints | Distance | Regular Season Top 8 | All time top 10 2003-2014
Boys Preview: Field | Sprints | Distance | Regular Season Top 8 | All time top 10 2003-2014
The 60 meter dash will be a rematch of last week's TFCAofGP Meet of Champions of the only two sprinters to break 7 seconds at the 60 meter distance.
Reigning champion Christian Brissett of Cheltenham has spent more time this racing the 55 meter distance the 60 meter distance. Brissett has 7 races at 55 meters, winning four of them, including the Millrose Games in 6.41. He is unbeaten in four appearances at 60 meters, breaking 7 seconds in three of them. Brissett has only lost two of his 60 meter contests in the past 12 months, and this season, he has had two separate runs in the PA#1 spot at 60 meters.
That is due to the emergence of Lasalle junior Charles Headen. Headen has come on strong in the month of February with a victory at the Varsity Classic, followed by a state leading 6.94 to win the PCL Indoor Championship. In his first match up against Brissett at the TFCAofGP Meet of Champions, he ran a lifetime best 6.89 to fall just .01 seconds short of the champion Brissett. Headen was the first man out of the semifinal last season in his first state meet appearance. This season, he will have the confidence of being able to run step for step with Brissett. Last season, Brissett won by thousandths of a second. Will that be the case once again?
TSTCA winner Kevin Garbark of West Mifflin is on a 4 race winning streak, breaking 7.10 3 times. This will be his first ever indoor state meet appearance. Osiris Nicholson and Nkosi Pile have been a strong 1-2 punch for the Church Farm School. Nicholson was 3 rd at the Millrose Games and won the Burdette Classic. Pile finished 3 rd at the TFCAofGP Meet of Champs in a season best 7.04. Neither of these two runners have made it to the indoor state meet in their careers. 2014 semifinalist Yeedee Thaenrat of Father Judge got off to a hot start early on, only for his momentum to slow down as of late. His seasonal best of 7.05 dates back to December 30.
Event 4 Boys 60 Meter Dash Prelims
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State Meet: 6.80 3/6/2010 Alex Kenney, State College
Name Year School
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1 Bethea, Saahir 12 Cheltenham
2 Boyd, Bryce 12 Cathedral Prep
3 Brissett, Christian 12 Cheltenham
4 Brooks, Isaiah 12 Woodland Hills
5 Craig, Jahmair 11 Del Val Charter
6 Daman, Tristan 11 State College
7 Garbark, Kevin 12 West Mifflin
8 Headen, Charles 11 LaSalle Coll
9 Hemphill, Jahvel 10 Bloomsburg
10 Jennings, Jeremy 10 D-Town East
11 Lawrence, Gianni 11 Upper Darby
12 Long, Tory 12 Hempfield (3
13 Maurent, Anthony 11 Gar Memorial
14 Meola, Nico 12 Kennett
15 Monahan, Pat 12 North Pocono
16 Moore, Dennison 12 Imhotep
17 Nicholson, Osiris 12 Church Farm
18 Palmer, Quincy 12 Red Lion
19 Paschall, Isa 12 Carlisle
20 Pierce, Evan 12 CD East
21 Pile, Nkosi 12 Church Farm
22 Roundtree, Ade 10 Imhotep
23 Sekowski, Todd 12 West Mifflin
24 Swift, D'Andre 10 Saint Joseph
25 Thaenrat, Yeedee 11 Father Judge
26 Welde, Chris 12 CR North
Like the 60 meter dash, Brissett has been above the rest in the 200 meter dash, earning a then US#2 time of 21.89 back in December. It sits as his only appearance at 200 meters this season. Brissett was 5 th last season, but he will be favorite this time around.
The other returning medalist from last season is silver medalist Tyler Whitmore of Upper Moreland. Whitmore will have to place high the hard way, as he is ranked PA#19 this season with a 22.82 performance. He ran 23.17 in his last 200 meter appearance two weeks ago. He has broken 22 seconds indoors once and that was in his silver medal performance a year ago.
The Norristown duo of Andrew Dillon and Corey Davenport finished virtually together in their last appearance at Franklin and Marshall a month ago. Davenport has broken 23 seconds in his last three appearances, while Dillon has run under 22.20 in both of his appearances. This will be the first state meet for the duo.
Ade Roundtree of Imhotep ran 22.17 in early January, and if he can find that form, he will be a contender for a high place. Headen will look to translate his 60 meter form into the 200 meter dash. He's only broken 23 seconds one time in four appearances. Charles Snorweah of Pennsbury won the Burdette Classic and PTFCA Carnival and has started to find his top form that he displayed for most of last season. Donovan St. Louis of Upper Darby and Kevin Garbark of West Mifflin will be ready to take advantage of any slip ups at the top.
Event 12 Boys 200 Meter Dash
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State Meet: 21.22 3/6/2010 Brady Gehret, Altoona
Name Year School
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1 Alleyne, Nate 10 D-Town West
2 Brissett, Christian 12 Cheltenham
3 Chisena, Dan 12 D-Town East
4 Craig, Jahmair 11 Del Val Charter
5 Davenport, Corey 11 Norristown
6 Dillon, Andrew 12 Norristown
7 Gablein, Bobby 11 Hatboro Horsham
8 Garbark, Kevin 12 West Mifflin
9 Gilbert, Damere 12 Boys Latin C
10 Gumino, David 12 CR North
11 Headen, Charles 11 LaSalle Coll
12 Kratz, Austin 9 Chris Dock
13 Meola, Nico 12 Kennett
14 Mollick, Alex 12 Springside
15 Moscoe, Justin 11 Haverford Twp
16 Reynolds, Nate 11 Norristown
17 Roundtree, Ade 10 Imhotep
18 Shank, Austin 12 Coatesville
19 Snorweah, Charles 12 Pennsbury
20 Snyder, Andrew 11 Camp Hill
21 St. Louis, Donovan 12 Upper Darby
22 Tate, Jason 12 Bensalem
23 Weh, Mason 11 Upper Darby
24 Whitmore, Tyler 12 Upper Moreland
25 Williams, Darien 11 Wissahickon
The big news in the 400 meter dash is that the reigning champion John Lewis of Cheltenham has opted to not defend his crown and run the 800 meters instead.
This decision opens the door for the 2014 silver medalist Charles Snorweah of Pennsbury. Snorweah only has one appearance, but he ran 49.28 after only a couple weeks back after a long football season. His fitness has improved since, and more will be expected from the senior. A sub 49 second performance will be a first indoors for the Rutgers signee.
Hunter Small of Garnet Valley is the other sub 50 second runner in the field, running 49.64 on President's Day, but stuttered to a 10 th place finish at the Meet of Champions. His 49.64 is the best time by over two seconds compared to his other 3 appearances.
Donovan St Louis of Upper Darby and Andrew Dillon of Norristown are likely to earn a high place in this event. The two of them have earned some big victories as of late. St. Louis has won three of his four appearances, including a win at the TFCAofGP Last Chance Meet two weeks ago. Meanwhile, Dillon is coming off the biggest win of his career, defeating John Lewis and Sean Conway of Neshaminy to run a lifetime best 50.19. Dillon has three straight sub 51 second performances entering Sunday's state meet.
Luke Everidge of Central Dauphin East and Isaiah Smith of Abington will be sleepers for high places, as they enter the weekend coming off big sub 51 second performances, a good boost for their confidence.
Event 8 Boys 400 Meter Dash
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State Meet: 47.65 3/1/2003 Drew Eckman, Oxford
Name Year School
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1 Biden, Nick 11 Haverford School
2 Boucher, Oliver 12 CB East
3 Colon, Heriberto 11 Wyomissing
4 Conway, Sean 11 Neshaminy
5 Cortese, Brian 12 Unionville
6 Dillon, Andrew 12 Norristown
7 Everidge, Luke 10 CD East
8 Fratanduono, Anthony 12 Arch Ryan
9 Hall, Ache 11 Springfield (D)
10 Howell, Austin 10 Pennridge
11 Jones, Jordan 12 Roman Cathol
12 Lathon, Darnell 11 Hempfield (3
13 McLemore, Josh 11 D-Town West
14 Meyers, Zachary 11 Hempfield (7)
15 Moscoe, Justin 11 Haverford Twp
16 Orlando, John 11 Cathedral Prep
17 Shober, Matt 12 CB South
18 Small, Hunter 12 Garnet Valle
19 Smith, Isiah 11 Abington
20 Snorweah, Charles 12 Pennsbury
21 St. Louis, Donovan 12 Upper Darby
22 Tejeda, Anstron 12 J.P. McCaske
23 Whitmore, Tyler 12 Upper Moreland
24 Wolfe, Jacob 12 WC East
25 Zimmerman, Brian 11 Mifflinburg
The 60 meter hurdles appeared to be one of the toughest races to call for most of the season. And then Saturday happened and a purple fury stormed to the top of the list.
The Upper Darby duo of Mason Weh and Akeim Thomas shot to the top of the hurdles list at Saturday's TFCAofGP Meet of Champions. Akeim ran 8.09 seconds twice in 90 minutes to share the PA#2 spot with Western Pa's top hurdler and 2014 silver medalist Mitch Valko of South Fayette. Weh surged to a state leading 8.02 in the finals on Saturday to make him the favorite after a slow start to the season. Thomas took nearly half a second off his personal best in his 8.09 double.
They will be contending against Valko, who was the silver medalist last season. Valko has had a strong season in 2015. Barring one meet, Valko has been unbeaten, running 8.09 on two separate occasions. Valko has two career sub 8 second performances, both at the state meet last year.
Charles Bowman, Jr. of Central Dauphin East has been on a roll since the first meet of the season. Bowman, Jr. is undefeated at both 55 and 60 meters, running 8.11 to win the Carnival two weeks ago. He will likely do better than his 17 th place finish at states a year ago. Bowman, Jr. will enter the meet full of confidence, having also spent the most time at PA#1 this season.
Event 2 Boys 60 Meter Hurdles Prelims
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State Meet: 7.79 2/23/2013 Wellington Zaza, Garnet Valley
Name Year School
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1 Bowman Jr., Charles 12 CD East
2 Bumpas, Tabriz 12 LaSalle Coll
3 Burger, Tyler 12 Northwest Area
4 Fink, Devon 12 Pottsgrove
5 Green, Miles 9 Saint Joseph
6 Guess, Monte 11 Arch Ryan
7 Hall, Ache 11 Springfield (D)
8 Harker, Colin 11 Souderton Ar
9 Hawkins, Joey 12 Parkland
10 Jackson, Dashaun 12 Harrisburg
11 Jefferson, Malik 12 Swenson Arts
12 Kimball, Patrick 11 Mount Lebano
13 Klah, Kornelius 12 Pennsbury
14 Marrington, David 12 Neshaminy
15 McFarland, Giulian 12 Germantown Frien
16 Oldt, Conner 11 Williamsport
17 Rarig, Luke 12 Southern Col
18 Richardson, Cordell 12 Cheltenham
19 Rinaman, Ori 12 Mars Area
20 Roundtree, Jace 11 Kiski Area
21 Thenga, Jordan 11 Wilson (3)
22 Thomas, Akeim 12 Upper Darby
23 Todd, Colyn 12 Roman Cathol
24 Valko, Mitch 12 South Fayett
25 Weh, Mason 11 Upper Darby
In both the 4x200 and 4x400 meter relays, teams will chasing the dominant Cheltenham team who have failed to be defeated by any PA relay team this season.
Cheltenham started their season with big success in the 4x400 meter relay, running a US#1 3:20.08 at the Hispanic Games. Three weeks later at the Armory Track Invitational, they were victorious once again with a US#2 3:18.73. At Saturday's TFCAofGP Meet of Champions, they broke a 42 year old meet record, running 3:23.41 to record the fastest flat track time in the state.
Their 4x200 meter success has been just as impressive, running 1:28.37 at the recent Millrose Games. They haven't lost to any PA competition and have finished no worse than 2 nd in any meet. They are also US#2 in the 4x200.
In the 4x200 meter relay, Upper Darby and Central Dauphin East have the personnel to make them challengers to Cheltenham. Upper Darby have run 1:29 in both of their New York appearances. Central Dauphin East ran 1:30.5 at State College last Thursday to put themselves in contention. A large group of 1:31 teams will look to make the medal stand, with Penn Wood having been the most consistent out of all the teams around them. West Mifflin is the top team from Western PA looking to make the medal stand, running 1:32.04 last week at the TSTCA Champs. Church Farm School will have Nicholson and Pile anchoring their squad that won the TFCAofGP Meet of Champions on Saturday.
Event 16 Boys 4x200 Meter Relay
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State Meet: 1:28.49 3/2/2002 Glen Mills, Glen Mills
Alexander, Craig, Bishop, Jones
School
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1 Altoona Area
2 Archbishop Ryan
3 Boys Latin Charter
4 Cardinal O Hara
5 Central Dauphin East
6 Cheltenham
7 Church Farm School
8 Delaware Valley Charter
9 Downingtown East
10 Downingtown West
11 Engineering & Science
12 Imhotep Institute Charter HS
13 LaSalle College High School
14 Neshaminy
15 Norristown
16 North Penn
17 Penn Wood
18 Pennridge
19 Pennsbury
20 Roman Catholic
21 Saint Joseph's Prep
22 Springside Chestnut Hill Acade
23 State College Area High School
24 Upper Darby
25 West Mifflin
In the 4x4, Penn Wood has been the only team able to come close to giving Cheltenham a run for their money this season. At one point, Penn Wood were the US#2 team behind Cheltenham, running 3:21.66, one of two times they have broken 3:23.
Norristown has a pair of strong legs that have pushed them to a 3:25.6 performance last week at State College. Upper Darby are also in the mix, as the 4 th team to break 3:26 this season. Donovan St. Louis will be a big leg for the Royals.
Event 22 Boys 4x400 Meter Relay
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State Meet: 3:18.73 3/2/2002 Glen Mills, Glen Mills
Polk, Alexander, Bishop, Jones
School
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1 Abington
2 Altoona Area
3 Bensalem
4 Cardinal O Hara
5 Cathedral Prep
6 Central Bucks South
7 Central Bucks West
8 Cheltenham
9 Holy Ghost Preparatory School
10 Neshaminy
11 Norristown
12 North Penn
13 Penn Wood
14 Penncrest
15 Pennridge
16 Pennsbury
17 Radnor
18 State College Area High School
19 Unionville
20 Upper Darby
21 Upper Dublin
22 Upper Moreland
23 Wilson (3)
24 Wissahickon
The PTFCA Indoor State Championships will be broadcast LIVE this Sunday starting at 10am on PennTrackXC.com! You can watch the meet at the following link: