While the eastern half of PA got started this past weekend with a few indoor meets, the western half was waiting for this weekend. Saturday brings us the Dickinson College High School Holiday Invitational in Carlisle.
It should be a good weekend for debuts. Here's what we're looking out for:
The girls' pole vault will be highly contested. A deep field is on tap led by Trinity's Megan Silva, Easton's Greer Gumbrecht and Central York's Alexis Baublitz. Nine girls in the field are seeded at 10 feet or better, so a lot of vaulters will be chasing South Williamsport's Katie Jones 12 feet PA #1 mark set last weekend.
In the 800, Carlisle's Maddie Kole will line up, while we should see a good battle in the 3200 meters between Eastern York's Maddie McLain and Heidi Rinehart from Liberty High School is Maryland.
Headlining the girls' field events in Dazjanique Williams of Cedar Cliff in the long jump.
For the boys, the top returner in the state coming into the season in the half mile, Matt Wisner of Carlisle, is slated to compete in both the 800 meters and the mile. Giving chase to him will be Cooper Leslie of Camp Hill, who won the District 3 Class A individual crown in XC before helping his team win the state title.
In the shot put, Hempfield Area (7) teammates Alex Murray and Dominic Marshall will look to put up some good initial marks on the season. Cedar Cliff's Clay Gause will be going for double gold in the high jump and long jump.
A lot of eyes will also be on the boys pole vault as Hempfield Area's Hayden Fox will make his season debut. Fox is one of the favorites to take a state title in the pole vault. Red Lion's Greg Potter is also in the field.
Shyheim Brown of Central Dauphin East will be one of many to watch in the sprints on Saturday.
We'll see what teams will bring it in the relays. There should be some good action there as well.