The Field!
Katie Jones of South Williamsport has been all around lately and Friday she'll make a stop at Henderson (Photo by Kathy Leister)
Before we get into the races, let's look at the field! You can never forget about the field, and the field....uh, field is loaded for Friday.
South Williamsport's Katie Jones returns a week after what could easily be described as the best of her career. On Thursday afternoon, Jones went over 13 feet for the first time and crushed the competition for the win and a new watch at the Penn Relays with a 13-0.25 clearance. Then on Saturday, Jones one-upped herself at Lock Haven, clearing 13-3. What does Friday have in store for her? She'll get great compeititon in the way of Easton's Greer Gumbrecht, Liberty's Rachel Finn, and North Pocono's Lucianne Burner.
Downingtown West's Darian Alston heads a strong triple jump field. Soudeton's Shamar Jenkins, Penn Charter's Akeem Blake, and Imhotep's Akeem Cooper will look to challenge Alston, the indoor state champ. LaSalle's Alex Sislo is also in the triple jump, but he's the second seed in the long jump behind Solanco's Troy Miller. Christopher Dock's Austin Kratz is also in the long jump. He's one of the state's top sprinter/jumper hybrids.
Perkiomen Valley's Christina Warren and Downingtown East's Evelyn Berecz are the top PA entries in the long and triple jumps. They'll look to upset Bay Shore (NY)'s Aviana Goode in the long jump.
In the boys' high jump, look out for Kyle Garland of Germantown Academy, Solanco's Miller, and Perk Valley's Darnell Randall in a good field. Souderton's Moira O'Malley is the top seed in the girls' high jump that also includes Westtow's Naomi Jimenez and Downingtown West's Stacey Wolverton.
Int he shot put, Berwick's Payden Montana (PA#7) is the favorite to take the win.