Photo by Ethan Rissell
Girls' Puma Challenge | Olivere beats Devlin; Manheim Township shines
After taking second to Aislinn Devlin last season, Lydia Olivere came back to the Carlisle Invitational with a mission: first place. The Delaware standout did just that, running 17:22 to beat Devlin for the win in the girls' Puma Challenge Race.
Devlin's 17:44 still makes her the fastest in PA so far this year and to this point the only one under 18 minutes. It's also 20 seconds faster than last year. PA#1 Devlin is in shape and ready to go this season.
The loaded field ran well behind Devlin, too. Alison Willingmyre of Wilson took third in 18:01, two spots ahead of University High (WV)'s Tashala Turner, who beat her at Spiked Shoe a few weeks ago. Greencastle Antrim freshman Taryn Parks continued to show her talent, placing fourth in 18:07. Chambersburg's Abby Yourkavitch was sixth and Eastern York's Maddie McLain was seventh.
Manheim Township proved that they can be serious state threat, winning the team title by two points over West Virginia's University High. MT followed up a great effort at Big Spring last weekend with another here at Carlisle. Leah Sassaman was 13th and Kira Jenkins was 17th to lead the way. Padua was third, while Hershey took fourth and Downingtown West was fifth.