Fran McLaughln\'s Saturday States Stories

May 24, 2008

Fran McLaughlin's Saturday States Stories

It really wasn’t a matter of if, but more like when, who or how many?

Records were certain to fall. They always do. But this was something different, something special.

Established in the early 1980’s, years before many of today’s competitors were hatched, these state championship meet marks were legit. They had clout. Old enough to drive, vote or even drink in the state they were conceived, they had taken on the best Pennsylvania has had to offer year after year and withstood the test of time.

Until today.

Names like Spence and Price and North Penn and Gwynedd-Mercy were certain to challenge the immortal likes of Gallagher, Upper Dublin and Wissahickon.

And so they did.

Once again, several of the oldest marks came under a deluge of track-talented fire and escaped unscathed. One, however, did not.
Easton’s Chanelle Price (photo by Timothy O'Dowd,IrishRunner.com), whose focus will shift to the Olympic Trials later this summer, sprinted away from the field from the gun to win the AAA 800 in a PIAA meet and National Federation record time of 2:02.90. Kim Gallagher of Upper Dublin held the meet mark of 2:05.47 set back in 1980. Joetta Clark had the previous national mark of 2:04.5 also set in 1980.

“After almost getting it last year I wanted to definitely, not only get it, but smash it this year,” said Price, who raced through the first quarter in 57.24. “My goal was set for two minutes or under. Of course, it’s so hard to do it by myself. I’m just really trying to dig deep and push myself the whole way around. I came through 400 a little faster than I wanted to and it kind of hurt me in the end.”
Sub two minutes or not, Price is quickly gaining a sizable fan base.

“It’s amazing here,” said Nazareth’s Meghan Lutz, who won the AAA 3200. “I don’t want to jinx them, but these are girls that are going to be in the Olympics. If I ever have kids, I’m going to be like, ‘I ran with them. They kicked my butt, but I ran with them.’ They’re so much fun to watch. That’s what makes this sport great.”

The greatness continued.

Despite opening up a gap that you could drive a funeral procession through only 400 meters into the race, Shippensburg senior Neely Spence’s (photo by Timothy O'Dowd,IrishRunner.com) planned assault on Gallagher’s 1600 record of 4:41.08 set in 1981, fell victim in windy conditions. Still, Spence claimed her second straight title in 4:44.85.

“Kim (Gallagher) ran that as a junior,” said Spence, who plans on focusing on the 2-mile at the outdoor national championships. “That just shows what an amazing athlete she was. I’m happy that her name is still in the record books because she deserves to be there. I definitely feel honored to at least have had a chance to try to break her record. I know not many people can say that.”

North Penn anchor Zach Montijo splits 1:53.1 to help set the school record with their top 20 all-time and US#1 7:38.39 in the 4x800 – photo by Timothy O'Dowd, Irishrunner.com

Early in the day when the coffee was still hot and the pastries still fresh, North Penn also took a shot at greatness, winning its second consecutive AAA 4x800 title. The Knights’ time of 7:38.79 was a school-record, significant at an institution that has set the gold-standard in the event. North Penn’s effort ranked 20th all-time, falling just shy of the meet record of 7:36.24 set by Wissahickon in 1982. The Knights were one of eight teams to eclipse the 7:50 mark.

“Obviously it’s going to be remembered locally for a very long time, and I’m sure nationally,” said Steve Franks. “To be in the same sentence, in the top 20, with some of the greatest 800 meter runners of all time; it’s just amazing. We’ve accomplished a lot as a team and individuals.”

Added anchor Zack Montijo: “Just to be mentioned with a that team like Wissahickon, a national record holding team, it’s an honor.”

Gwynedd Mercy Academy clocked an impressive 9:04.35 en route to a win in the AAA 4x800. Gallagher’s Upper Dublin led squad also holds that national record of 8:58.

Gwynedd Mercy anchor Taylor Bumpas splits 2:12.5 to help run a US#5 9:04.35 in the 4x800 – photo by Timothy O'Dowd, Irishrunner.com

The records were not limited to the oval.

Fawn Miller, Lakeview, notched a sophomore class record and PA all-time best 167-2 to win the AA javelin, breaking the meet and state-best record of 162-4 set by Karlee McQuilln, Westmont-Hilltop in 2006.

Michael Keenan, a Montoursville senior, set a new meet standard of 14.00 in winning the AA 110 hurdles.

Justin Shirk of Central Dauphin fired a PA #1, 221-3 to claim the AAA javelin.

Central Cambria distance ace Carly Seymour wasted little time getting the day started in record-breaking fashion. In the first track event of the day, Seymour clocked 10:31.85, eclipsing the AA 3200 mark of 10:33.61 set by Donna McLain of East York High in 1980. Fellow Foot Locker Finalist Kacey Gibson, Neshannock (10:41.76), Lauren Zarger, Harbor Creek (10:41.90) and Caitlin Cavanaugh, Danville (10:52.99) rode the heels of Seymour to sub-11 minute performances.

“Last year (the record) was in the back of my mind, but I missed it," Seymour said. "But this year I put the pressure on myself and was like ‘hey, I’m going for the record.’ So when I was out there I was like, 'well, everyone knows I’m going for it, so I have to get it.’

Easton’s Abby Schaffer successfully defended her title with a meet record effort of 13 feet, one-half inches in the AAA pole vault. She had a worthy adversary in Council Rock South junior Tory Worthen, who was second with a career best 12-9.5.

A reservoir of will-power.

Pierre Carr (right) edges Kevin Steinberg, Neshaminy, by .01 in the 100
– photo by Lizzie Poster

According to Pierre Carr, it doesn’t matter where you practice at, all that matters is how you practice. And if you want to win, “you are going to practice as hard as you can.”

You see, there is no track at Peabody High School. No fancy Mondo surface for these guys. No cinders. No oval whatsoever. Each day starts with a one mile run to the local reservoir where, according to Carr, the real work begins; sprinting to informal chalk marks scratched on the ground by his coach.
The diligence has paid off.

Carr ran from his makeshift training facility, and relative anonymity, straight to the top of the awards stand after shocking prerace favorite Kevin Steinberg, of Neshaminy, to win the AAA 100 meter dash.

Separated by a thin slice of Provolone or less, Carr leaned at the line to take the title in 10.57 to Steinberg’s season-best clocking of 10.58
"I saw him in front and I said to myself, 'You better dig down or you aren't winning this,' " said Carr, who moved back to Pennsylvania this year after spending the previous five years going to school in Indiana. "I crossed the finish line and I still didn't know who won. (Steinberg) said, 'I think you got me' and I said, 'No way, you got me.'

“It was a good race. It’s all about who wants it more. I wanted it more. I had to make a name for myself.”

“He came out of nowhere,” said Steinberg, who would later find redemption, and the gold medal he came to Shippensburg for, with his victory in the 200. “It’s not the one I expected, but a win is a win. That was my goal all season; to win a state championship.”

One race at a time.

Achieving a dream - photo by Timothy O'dowd, Irishrunner.com

Stephanie Fulmer’s story is a good one, if for no other reason than the St. Pius X distance ace represents nearly every senior athlete that competed at the PIAA championship. Mostly, they toil in anonymity, playing to small crowds of close family, friends and relatives. There will be no fire-engine led parade through the town square; their focus, dedication and desire to win a state title go largely unnoticed.

Nevertheless it means just as much, maybe more.

Fulmer had been to states before, finishing fifth as a sophomore and third as a junior in the AA 1600. This time she struck gold.

Fulmer clocked a personal best 5:02.87 to defeat a bunched and talented field that included FL Finalist Kacey Gibson of Neshannock (seventh, 5:07.36) and Harbor Creek sophomore Lauren Zarger (ninth, 5:08.08), who, earlier in the day, were second and third, respectively, to Carly Seymour’s meet record performance in the AA 3200. Forest Hills senior Sarah Strayer (sixth, 5:06.95) also medaled with a seventh place showing in the 3200.

“This year my whole springtime focus was on winning the 1600,” Fulmer said. “A lot of girls choose to double, which is really tough. So I just chose to run the one event, tried to save up.

“I was hoping to go under five (minutes), but I don’t know how I can even complain. Usually this kind of time doesn’t win, but I guess with all the girls doubling, it kind of took a toll.”

The discipline to win.

With about 300 meters to go in the AAA 3200 meter final, Boyertown’s Mark Dennin, shifted lanes, then gears and eased past District 1 rival Chris Aldrich of West Chester Henderson.

Photo of Mark Dennin by Timothy O'Dowd, Irishrunner.com

The turbocharged Dennin navigated his final 400 meters in 61 seconds, finishing first in 9:03.63. Aldrich (9:07.53) held on for second.
The victory was somewhat bittersweet for Dennin, who despite adding a state track title to go along with the Penn Relays 3k, individual cross country crown and All-American status he claimed earlier this year, he missed out on his school record by a second and the meet record by less than five seconds.

Jason Weller set the Boyertown school record of 9:02.75, winning the AAA 3200 a year ago. Mike Connelly set the event record of 8:58.9 running for Upper Perkiomen way back in 1983.

“I’m definitely happy with the state title,” said Dennin, who heads to Georgetown next year. “The race didn’t go exactly as I had planned. I had too much left on the last lap. I probably could have pushed the pace during the race a little bit more. I think if I had done that, maybe Chris (Aldrich) or Josh (Izewski) or somebody would have hung on me a little longer and taken my kick out of me, and I might have lost it that way.

“Jason’s record and the state record were two things that I thought were within reach. It didn’t come together that way. I wanted to go all out, but not if it was going to cost me this race. I didn’t want to risk anything.”

Bishop McDevitt junior Joe Beveridge matched Dennin’s feat of adding an outdoor 3200 title to his cross country crown. The AA individual cross country champ last fall, Beveridge clocked 9:11.89 to claim what was essentially a two-man race as only Jim Spisak of Bishop McCourt (9:18.10) was within 20 seconds of the winner.

There must be something in the medals.

Ashley Corum was not happy. Certainly, she could do better.

So after finishing what was, for her, a disappointing eighth place (17-4.5) in the AAA long jump on Friday, the Carlisle sophomore was determined not to suffer the same fate the next day in the triple jump.

And just to be sure that her disgust would not wane after a good night of sleep, Corum went to bed with her eighth place medal from the long jump safely tucked under her pillow.

“I wasn’t pleased with how I did,” said Corum, who led three girls over 39 feet in winning the triple jump in 39-6. “I knew I could do better. I slept with my medal to remind me and motivate me to do better.”

Corum wasn’t the only athlete who used a disappointing long jump as inspiration in the triple jump. Girard College’s Tanaya Lloyd suffered a similar fate Friday before rebounding to record a surprise victory in the AA triple jump Saturday morning.

Lloyd’s winning jump of 38-5 was 23 inches better than her previous best, which she recorded during the indoor season.

“I felt like I had to redeem myself from yesterday in the long jump,” said Lloyd, who finished 14th a day earlier in the AA long jump.

The smile said it all.

You would think someone as highly decorated as the senior sprint star from Simon Gratz, someone who burst on the scene four years earlier and his been collecting medals with the same veracity that schoolboys collect trading cards, would find winning another race somewhat routine.

But there was something missing from the Featherstone trophy case. Something he coveted. Despite his All-American status, despite his claim to a pair of individual state crowns in the indoor two-lap war, and certainly despite the truckload of relay medals he had shared with his teammates, he had never won the AAA 400 meters at the outdoor championship.

Until now, that is.

Featherstone pulled away from the field down the home stretch, widening his lead to a margin comfortable enough to enjoy the moment, to claim the 400 in 47.92. Runner-up Lamont Fowler from Conrad Weiser (48.37) led a group of three others that broke 49.

“I let my confidence, I let my training and I let my speed do my talking for me, and I came out with the win,” said Featherstone, who finished second to Brandon Bing’s near meet record performance of 46.84 a year ago. “Emotions can’t even describe what I’m feeling like now. I just wanted to go out with a bang.”

Mission accomplished.

Back on top times 2.

In the girls AAA 400, it wasn’t a matter of winning one; it was a matter of winning one back. After finishing first as a freshman and sophomore, Council Rock South standout Ije Iheoma took second in the event a year ago to Breehana Jacobs of Laurel Highlands.

“I really wanted to get my title back and run a decent time,” said the Florida-bound Iheoma, who crushed the field in a time of 54.41 before adding a second title in the 200 (24.17).

Poor Penn Hills.

Penn Hills tied for 2nd in the team competiton – photo by Lizzie Poster

What else could possibly go wrong?

They were supposed to have a trophy-case worth of 400 meter relay titles by now being that they were the top seed in the event each of the last three years. But that case was still empty entering Saturday’s 4x100 final.

It is not just the fact they had not won as the favorite, it’s more like how they lost.

After placing second in 2005, Penn Hills lost the lead late in 2006 when the anchor pulled up lame, and then there was the disqualification for running out of the final exchange zone in 2007.

So forgive them if the once-confident group appeared shaken, wondering what could happen next as they toed the line for the final.
Not to worry. This time the foursome of Arrie Smith, Taelor Fowler, Gisele Adanlete and LaShawna Carter-Sewell beat the jinx and the rest of the competition, and won the AAA race with a time of 47.52.

“We finally got first. It was like a curse, we could never get it,” said Adanlete, who along with Fowler, a fellow senior, had endured the heartbreak of the previous three years.

Unfortunately, later in the day things returned to normal, as far as Penn Hills is concerned, when something else did go awry. A dropped baton in the 4x400 relay cost the ladies a shot at the AAA team title. Of course, Methacton, which won the championship on the strength of three Ryann Krais individual wins, would have clinched the title earlier in the day had Krais not fallen in the 100 hurdles.

There is no "I" in Altoona.

Team championships can be a misnomer of sorts when it comes to track and field. It was proven once again when the one-girl force that is Ryann Krais scored all 30 points for AAA champ Methacton, while runner-up Council Rock South got contributions from two competitors to finish second with 28 points.

But this year’s boys’ squad from Altoona was different. Getting contributions from numerous sources to outlast eastern powerhouse and perennial contender North Penn, 44-34, Altoona truly put the word team back into team title.

“It’s great victory for all of us,” said sophomore Brady Gehret, who was a member of two medal winning relays. Everyone came out, we all performed the way we wanted to and it came out the way we wanted it to. We saw they were projected to beat us by one point and we came out to prove our point. We had a lot of people step up today.”

Photo by Elizabeth Poster

Coming up big for Altoona was the pole vault tandem of Jared George (15-6) and Travis Hammaker (15-0) that finished first and third, respectively; Neil Huynh, third in the javelin (198-11) and sixth in the discus; Aaron Nadolsky, second in the 200 (21.75), and Terry Bookhamer, who was fifth in the discus. Mix in a fourth place in the 400 relay (42.7) and a sixth in the 4x400 (3:21.63) and you have the recipe for success.

The victory was all the more impressive considering the dismissal of one the teams’ top athletes earlier this season.

“It drove us to win more,” Gehret said. “We wanted it more to show we can win without him.”

Added George: “That’s a group effort. We’ve been working on it all year.”