Thursday, 4/21: Abington Armstrong Invitational
Thelma Davies of Girard College took home a PA#1 in the 100 dash (Photo by Kathy Leister)
On Thursday night at Abington, we saw some big time
performances under the lights to start off a big weekend.
Some of the state's top girls sprinters converged at this meet. In the 100, freshman phenom Thelma Davies of Girard College shined. She crushed the field, running a PA#1 11.80 for the win and a big-time return back to the track for the first time on a big stage since NBNI.
Chanel Brissett of Cheltenham had a big day as well. Brissett ran a PA#1 24.05 in the 200 meter dash to take the win. Jayana Webb of Norristown ran very well for second in 24.56. Brissett also helped her team to 4x100 relay gold, crushing their own previous PA#1, running a time of 46.70.
Brooklynn Broadwater of Springside Chestnut Hill followed up her terrific performance in the 400 hurdles with another incredible effort in the 300 hurdles on Thursday. Broadwater cruised to the win in a PA#1 41.75, proving she's more than ready to take on the Penn Relays to defend her 400 hurdles title.
He 400 was a fantastic battle. In the end, Penn Wood's Terri Turner edged out Notre Dame's Mikayla Schneider and Springside Chestnut Hill's Alexandria Kitchell. Turner ran a PA#5 55.96.
In the 800, Penn Wood's Agnes Mansaray won wire-to-wire to grab first place in a time of 2:13.63. That currently sits at the third best time in the state.
In the jumps, Madison Langley-Walker of Cheltenham continued her winning ways, grabbing first in both the long jump (18-1.25) and triple jump (37-0.5).
The boys saw some big distance performances on Thursday afternoon/night. Germantown Academy's Owen Ritz picked up a massive 12 second PR in the 1600, winning in 4:21.88. Council Rock North's Bryan Keller was impressive in the 800 meters where he used a good kick to take the win in 1:56.28. Joe Maguire of Council Rock South was a solo winner in the 3200, clocking a 9:25.93 for gold.
Abington did Abington things in the relays. They won both the 4x800 and 4x400, holding off charges from Cardinal O'Hara and Penn Wood, respectively, for the win.
Girls Highlights
· 100 Meter Dash - Thelma Davies (Girard College HS) 11.80;
· 1,600 Meter Run - MaryGrace Rittler (Cheltenham) 5:08.42; Kayla Connelly (Lansdale Catholic) 5:12.40; Mia Van Wagenen (Academy at Palumbo) 5:13.50;
· 200 Meter Dash - Chanel Brissett (Cheltenham) 24.05; Chanel Brissett (Cheltenham) 24.64; Jayana Webb (Norristown) 24.56;
· 300 Meter Hurdles - Brooklynn Broadwater (Springside Chestnut Hill Academy) 41.75; Janae Pitt (Penn Wood) 44.75; Madison Langley-Walker (Cheltenham) 45.67;
· 3,200 Meter Run - Mia Van Wagenen (Academy at Palumbo) 11:16.18;
· 400 Meter Dash - Terri Turner (Penn Wood) 55.96; Mikayla Schneider (Academy of Notre Dame) 56.10; Alexandria Kitchell (Springside Chestnut Hill Academy) 56.44; Jasmine Staten (Lenape Reg. HS) 57.55; Bria Barnes (Cheltenham) 57.95;
· 4x100 Meter Relay - Cheltenham 46.70; Norristown 47.96;
· 4x800 Meter Relay - Abington 9:44.37;
· 800 Meter Run - Agnes Mansaray (Penn Wood) 2:13.63; Megan Quimby (Lenape Reg. HS) 2:16.54; Alexis Crosby (Cheltenham) 2:18.03; Sydni Stovall (Springfield Township (Montco)) 2:18.56;
· High Jump - Blair Knuckle (Bishop McDevitt) 5-4;
· Long Jump - Madison Langley-Walker (Cheltenham) 18-1.5;
· Pole Vault - Libby Jefferson (Springside Chestnut Hill Academy) 10-6;
· Shot Put - Ashley Alexander (Cheltenham) 41-9.75; Sianni McLeod (Abington) 40-10;
· Triple Jump - Madison Langley-Walker (Cheltenham) 37-0.5;
Boys Highlights
· 1,600 Meter Run - Owen Ritz (Germantown Academy) 4:21.88;
· 3,200 Meter Run - Joe Maguire (Council Rock South) 9:25.93;
· 4x400 Meter Relay - Abington 3:20.45; Penn Wood 3:21.17;
· 4x800 Meter Relay - Abington 7:57.17; Cardinal O'Hara 8:01.00;
· 800 Meter Run - Bryan Keller (Council Rock North) 1:56.28; James Abrahams (Haverford Township HS) 1:56.64; Aaron Morris (Springfield Township (Montco)) 1:57.97;
· Discus - Eric Kasperowicz (Holy Ghost Preparatory School) 171-2;
Shot Put - Eric Kasperowicz (Holy Ghost Preparatory School) 53-4.5
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Friday, 4/22: New Balance Warrior Invitational
At West Chester Henderson, some of the area and beyond's best distance talents came out for a big night.
In an absolutely loaded 1600, there were 11 boys that dipped under 4:25. It was a sophomore that came out on top. Owen J. Roberts' Liam Conway topped the field, running a 4:15.37. That's the third fastest time in the state as Conway has made himself a serious contender in the states conversation. Liam Galligan of Springfield (Delco) was second in 4:16.24. Also a solid race. Here's the results with the top 20 finishers below:
Boys 1600 Meter Run HS
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Name Year School Seed Finals H# Points
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1 Conway, Liam Owen J. Robe 4:24.00 4:15.37 5
2 Galligan, Liam Springfield-Del 4:19.20 4:16.24 5
3 Wills, Colin Malvern Prep 4:18.04 4:17.98 5
4 Murray, Kevin Charter Scho 4:19.85 4:18.10 5
5 Sappey, Henry D-West 4:19.55 4:18.47 5
6 Parker, Colin Salesianum S 4:25.00 4:19.54 5
7 Hall, Kent Unionville 4:26.48 4:19.92 5
8 Flanagan, Michael Tatnall 4:19.30 4:21.07 5
9 Steinhoff, George Salesianum S 4:24.00 4:23.30 5
10 Delisle, Hudson Quakertown 4:23.00 4:24.02 5
11 Ilgenfritz, Jake Avon Grove 4:24.89 4:24.43 5
12 Cardie, Joseph Springfield-Del 4:32.15 4:27.15 4
13 Ryherd, Ben D-West 4:28.24 4:28.20 5
14 Maxwell, Austin Kennett 4:26.31 4:28.38 5
15 Avila, Chris Charter Scho 4:30.68 4:29.83 4
16 Donahue, Patrick Holy Ghost P 4:19.99 4:30.28 5
17 Hardin, Max Tatnall 4:30.21 4:31.28 4
18 Smucker, Spencer Henderson 4:26.57 4:31.51 5
19 Reuther, Carson Henderson 4:33.18 4:31.65 4
20 Bullock, Shaun D-West 4:33.34 4:32.06 4 In the 800, which was also pretty stacked it was Germantown Friends' Nick Dahl, who took the win, proving his fitness level is high headed into Penn this week. He clocked a 1:54.20 to grab the win over Quakertown's Brett Wolfinger, who ran a great time of 1:54.85 for second.
A fast 1600 headlined the girls' action, too. PA#1 and PA#2 came from this race. Unionville's Kacie Breeding took the win in a big PR for her at 4:57.09. Second was Downingtown West's Emma Planck in 4:59.93, just off her PR from states last year, but nine seconds faster than she was at this race a year ago. Here's the top 20 from that race:
Girls 1600 Meter Run HS
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Name Year School Seed Finals H# Points
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1 Breeding, Kacie Unionville 5:04.16 4:57.09 3
2 Planck, Emma D-West 5:01.52 4:59.93 3
3 Hays, Keelin Tatnall 5:00.80 5:05.83 3
4 Glodek, Annie Perkiomen Va 5:00.00 5:05.85 3
5 Bracken, Emily Bishop Shana 5:08.75 5:07.92 3
6 Shultz, Dominique Conestoga 5:08.00 5:10.34 3
7 Greene, Tasha Harriton 5:15.00 5:12.24 3
8 Rickenbach, Cami Unionville 5:07.66 5:13.52 3
9 Kaulbach, Griffin Germantown F 5:17.00 5:14.08 3
10 Foley, Caroline Tatnall 5:15.07 5:15.42 3
11 Wistar, Alice Germantown F 5:16.62 5:15.59 3
12 Zouras, Santina D-West 5:20.98 5:20.47 2
13 Mazza, Sera Saint Joseph 5:07.44 5:20.93 3
14 Daniels, Michele Perkiomen Va 5:18.00 5:21.06 3
15 Edwards, Elizabeth Unionville 5:28.00 5:23.49 2
16 Glasier, Alex Owen J. Robe 5:24.00 5:24.63 2
17 Ott, Kate Saint Joseph 5:33.54 5:27.69 2
18 Sands, Autumn Owen J. Robe 5:29.00 5:27.88 2
19 Reilly, Kate Scranton Pre 5:18.05 5:28.47 3
20 Brislin, Jillian Unionville 5:28.00 5:28.73 2 Unionville got its second PA#1 of the night in the 800. This one came from Anna Juul, who won in a time of 2:11.88 to steal the state lead. Owen J. Robert's Allison Brunton was second in a PA#5 2:15.76.
Perkiomen Valley's Christina Warren continued to do the thing she's grown very accustom to this spring: win. The freshman won the 100m hurdles, long jump, and triple jump, capping off a fantastic start to her outdoor season.
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Friday, 4/22: 52nd Butler Track and Field Invitational
Hunter Robinson of Avonworth/Northgate made her presence in PA known in a big way on Friday (Photo by Phil Grove)
The Butler Invite pushed on late Friday and almost into Saturday (but ended at 11:58pm). It was worth it as far as big performances are concerned.
It was a nice debut from Hunter Robinson in the sprints. She's quite possibly the next sprint star in PA. The transfer from Georgia emerged onto the PA scene in a big way on Friday. The Avonworth/Northgate sophomore won the 100 (PA#5 12.12), 200 (PA#5 24.77), and 400 (PA#8 56.19). Not a bad start at all.
Hickory's Lexi Bible PR'd by a large margin in the 1600 on Friday (Photo by Phil Grove)
In a stacked 1600, the win came from Hickory's Lexi Bible, who stole the win from a talented field. Bible PR'd by 12 seconds to win against the likes of Marianne Abdalah of Vincentian Academy, Lauren Gronbeck of Eden Christian and Ava Pietrzyk of North Hills. Check below for the top 20 results:
Girls 1600 Meter Run
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Name Year School Seed Finals H# Points
===================================================================================
1 Bible, Lexi Unattached 5:17.00 5:07.55 4 10
2 Abdalah, Marianne Vincentian A 4:58.93 5:09.15 4 8
3 Gronbeck, Lauren Unattached 5:19.85 5:09.36 4 6
4 Pietrzyk, Ava North Hills 5:14.52 5:09.68 4 5
5 Moxie, Mandi Knoch 5:20.00 5:09.78 4 4
6 Rylee, Kopchak Cardinal Wue 5:18.00 5:09.93 4 3
7 Welty, Maggie Butler 5:16.93 5:12.88 4 2
8 Miller, Caelan Fox Chapel A 5:17.14 5:14.07 4 1
9 Wisniewski, Megan Avonworth / 5:25.00 5:16.49 4
10 Franchi, Tessa Pine-Richlan 5:16.40 5:16.96 4
11 Hensler, Rachel Seneca Valle 5:13.00 5:18.07 4
12 Sommer, Paula Woodland Hil 5:29.00 5:31.62 3
13 Simek, Sterling Franklin Reg 5:23.03 5:31.70 4
14 Callihan, Kelsee Butler 5:43.11 5:34.24 3
15 Seibert, Carlie North Hills 5:40.82 5:35.19 3
16 Carr, Savannah Franklin Are 5:30.00 5:35.74 3
17 Petrini, Natalie Mars Area 5:46.00 5:36.20 2
18 Danvers, Laura Franklin Are 5:36.00 5:36.27 3
19 Wisniewski, Kayley Avonworth / 5:35.00 5:36.32 3
20 Hamilton, Maddie Grove City A 5:41.38 5:36.95 3 Abdalah, Groneck and Pietrzyk were coming off the 3200 earlier in the day. Abdalah took the win in 10:50.94, while Gronbeck was second in 10:53.67, Greensburg Salem's Riley Kwaitkowski was third in 11:00.32 and Pietrzyk was fourth in 11:16.47.
Sewickley's Summer Thorpe was the winner in the girls' 100 hurdles in a time of 14.46, but Hickory's Heather Grober edged her out in the 300 hurdles, running a time of 44.07, a PA#3 for Grober.
The Villa Maria girls put up the fastest 4x800 in the state, running a 9:26 for the big win and vaulting them to the top of the state rankings. Villa Maria's Claire Brown also added a win in the 800 meters, winning in 2:17.83.
Maura Kimmel kept up her fantastic start to her 2016 outdoor season. Kimmel won the shot put and discus. She threw 42-11 in the shot and 140-3 in the disc for the double win. Burrell's Elizabeth Weimer was second to Kimmel in both events.
Julia Howard of Greensburg Salem also continued her great senior season. She won the triple jump with a new PR of 39-2.5. That moves her up to PA#2.
National leader Jordan Geist returned to the circle on Friday. The Knoch junior claimed the win in the shot put with a throw of 69-7.5. Greensburg Salem's Lawson Monta was second with a throw of 55-6.5. Geist also won the discus, throwing 182-10 for the win. Monta was also second there, throwing 162-1.
Caleb Sanford of McDowell cleared 15-7 for a new PA#1 this weekend (Photo by Phil Grove)
McDowell's Caleb Sanford didn't waste any time getting to the top of the state rankings. The indoor state champ cleared a PA#1 15-7, asserting himself as the early frontrunner for the state crown.
Kiski's Jace Roundtree beat his last week self in the 110 hurdles, winning easily in a new PA#2 of 14.19. That's a huge PR for Roundtree who is now just .03 off the state lead.
The 1600 was a fast one, led up front by Seneca Valley's Mike Kolor, who made his season debut on Friday. He gapped the field early and won in 4:15.04. He now turns his attention to Friday's Penn Relays High School Boys Mile. Mount Lebanon's Todd Gunzenhauser was second in a 4:20.43.
In the 800, Seneca's Donovan Myers outdueled Penn Hills' Isaiah Bailey in a close 800 meters. Myers ended up with a 1:56.21 to Bailey's 1:56.50.
In the javelin, North Allegheny's Andrew Manz didn't hit his PR from a week ago, but he did go over 200 feet again, winning with a throw of 200-7.
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Saturday, 4/23: Shippensburg Jack Roddick Invitational
For some teams looking to get an early look at the states track, Shippensburg was the place to be on Saturday. The invitational divides races up into AA and AAA classifications. The performances shined through all morning and afternoon.
Photo by Don Rich
GIRLS: Susquehanna Township's Yasmin Brooks was one of thr standout performers of the day. She started off winning the 100 hurdles in a close race with Dieruff's Mahendra McWhite. Brooks posted a PA#2 14.19 for the win there. Then Brooks provided an anchor leg on Susquehanna Township's 4x100, that won in a new PA#3 time. Brooks capped off her day with a loaded girls' long jump with a PA#2 jump of 19-0.5. Here's the results to that AAA long jump, filled with big jumps:
Girls Long Jump AAA
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Name Year School Finals Points
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1 Brooks, Yasmin Susquehanna 19-00.50 10
2 Caldwell-Adams, Khyasi Pocono Mount 18-09.50 8
3 Williams, Dazjanique Cedar Cliff 18-08.00 6
4 Karpenko, Veronika State Colleg 18-07.50 5
5 Givens, Taylor State Colleg 18-05.25 4
6 Johnson, Ayanna New Oxford 18-04.75 3
7 West, Kaylin Liberty 18-01.25 2
8 Holmberg, Gabby Hempfield Ar 17-08.50 1
9 VonColln, Jasmine Altoona Area 17-08.00
10 Simpson, Camryn Palmyra 17-02.50
11 Frazier, Darci Hollidaysbur 17-01.00
12 Swartz, Stephanie Big Spring 16-11.00
13 Weenink, Nicole Mechanicsbur 16-07.50
14 Lehman, Sarah Cumberland V 16-05.75
15 Niang, Deborah (Cd East) Ce 16-03.25
16 Augustine, Nicole Bishop McDev 15-09.50
16 Zeger, Abby Chambersburg 15-09.50
18 Panattieri, Skyler James M. Cou 15-08.50
19 Arbogast, Sara Selinsgrove 15-08.25
19 Donato, Kristina Waynesboro 15-08.25
21 Brown, Breiana Selinsgrove 15-03.75
22 Craig, Regan Cumberland V 15-01.00
23 Perry, Kalesha William Penn 14-11.25
24 Kearney, Payton Shikellamy 14-10.00 The pole vault was a nice competition between two District 11 rivals, Easton's Greer Gumbrecht and Liberty's Rachel Finn. Gumbrecht, the current PA#1, picked up the meet record with a 12-7 clearance to take the win. She missed on three attempts at 13-0, but she's already had a terrific start to her season. Watch her 12-6 and 12-7 clearances below:
Cocalico's Emily Stauffer continued her great start to her senior season. The Missouri-bound senior beat her own PA#1 with a winning throw of 47-1.5. Kutztown's Jocelen Ruth was second to Stauffer in the shot, but really shined in the discus, throwing 150-7, a new PA#1 and a huge PR. That's also US#18. Ruth also added a win in the javelin.
Tyrone Area's Erika Voyzey took the win in the girls' AA high jump. She cleared 5-8 for the win and just missed on some tries at 5-10. In the AAA competition, Dallas' Katie Kravitsky claimed the win, clearing 5-7. Voyzey talked with us after the meet about her US#2 from a dual meet earlier in the season where the senior cleared 5-11 (only Vashti Cunningham, a professional, has done better):
Cumberland Valley's Mady Clahane opened up the meet with a new PA#1 in the AAA 3200 meters. Clahane pulled away late from Chambersburg's Abby Yourkavitch to grab the win and state leader. She ran 10:39 in her winning effort. Clahane then came back in the 800, where Carlisle's Maddie Kole picked up the win. Kole also anchored Carlisle to the win in the AAA 4x800. In the 1600, State College's Natasha Fedkina ran a great race, running a PA#7 5:04.95 to grab the win.
After already running two events earlier in the day, South Western's Lynne Mooradian crushed the AAA 300 hurdles, PR'ing by over a second to grab the win in a PA#2 42.96 over a very talented field that included McWhite and Cumberland Valley's Paige Geatz.
Cedar Cliff's Grace Gillespie enjoyed a double win day. Gillespie claimed golds in the AAA 100 and 200. She ran a 12.18 in the 100, just off her PR from a week ago, and a 25.02 in the 200 for a new PR. Gillespie's asserted herself as a definite contender for some medals at states next month.
Photo by Don Rich
BOYS: North Pocono's Matt Slagus made a huge statement on Saturday in the discus. Slagus threw 187-4 for the big win vaulting him to PA#2. He also sits at US#21 with that throw, which was nearly a 12 foot improvement on his throw from the New York Relays last week.
In a good compeititon in the boys shot put, Hempfield's Dom Marshall came away as the winner with a throw of 56-9, edging out Chambersburg's Kelton Chastulik, who threw 55-11.75.
The AAA boys' pole vault was another one of the premiere events of the day. Some of the state's top names were at Ship on Saturday and they didn't disappoint. Hatboro-Horsham's Nick Marino claimed the win on jumps, clearing 15-6. State College's Griffin Thompson also cleared 15-6 (a height he previously cleared this season). Both now sit at PA#2. Hempfield's Hayden Fox, who won the AAA javelin earlier in the day with a throw of 190-9 was third (15-0) and Hempfield's Adam Gamber got over 14-6 for fourth.
Photo by Megan Zeller
The athlete who had the best meet on Saturday was arguably Christopher Dock's Austin Kratz. When all was said and done, Kratz won three events and walked away with a PA#1, PA#3, and PA#4. First, Kratz won the AA long jump with a jump of 22-8.5, the PA#3. Then Kratz rallied late to beat Bloomsburg's Jahvel Hemphill in the 100 dash. Kratz won in a 10.95, the PA#4. Then he closed out his meet with a win in the 200 meters in a PA#1 of 21.75 (though we should note there was some wind).
The distance events saw some multi-event winners. On the AAA side, State College's Alex Milligan won the 3200 to start off the meet in 9:26, and then he came back later in the afternoon to win the 800 in a 1:57, completing a rare distance double. Camp Hill's Cooper Leslie was busy on Saturday, too. First, he helped his Camp Hill team to the win in the 4x800 in 8:09. Then he won the 1600 and 800 in the AA classification.
Carlisle's Matt Wisner makes the pass to anchor his team to the win in the 4x800 (Photo by Megan Zeller)
In the AAA 4x800, Carlisle claimed a tight victory over Cumberland Valley (8:07 to 8:08). Mercersburg's Gabriel Allgayer ran well to take the win in the AA 3200 in 9:25. Then in the AAA 1600, State College's Nick Feffer looked strong, winning in 4:20.66.
Williamsport's Conner Oldt won the 110 hurdles and then took second to 300 hurdles. Oldt ran a PA#5 14.61 in the 110s for the win. Then Carlisle's Ali Brown won the 300 hurdles, running a very solid PA#5 39.29.
****Stay tuned for more weekend recaps*****