Photo by Patty Morgan
Dickinson College HS Invitational #2 Preview
After Dickinson's Holiday Invite, where we saw Jordan Geist start off his season in a big way, we return to Carlisle for the second of two invites on the Red Devils' 200 meter indoor track.
BOYS: The State College boys 4x800 will make its return to track on Saturday. The reigning state champs indoors and out, will open up their title defense. Nick and Joey Feffer are also entered in the 800 meters as ones to watch there. In the 1600 meters, watch out for Cumberland Valley Yahya Soliman. He'll be matched-up with Millbrook's Alec Schrank in that race.
In the sprints, Harrisburg's Ronald Kent, who had a strong opener at Robert Morris, will look to keep it up. He's entered in the 55 meters and the 200 meters.
In the pole vault, East Pennsboro's Payton Morris will look to keep up his winning ways. The PA#1 cleared 15-4 at this past week's Kevin Dare Invitational to take the state lead. Cumberland Valley's Zach Austen and Eastern York's Brady Gladfelter will challenge him.
In the high jump, we'll see the season debut of Williamsport's Qayyim Ali. The reigning state champion form this past indoor season will look to start his season off with a strong showing. In the shot put, Greencastle-Antrim's Parker Campbell will square off with Selinsgrove's Keith Dreese.
Photo by Don Rich
GIRLS: Katie Jones of South Williamsport will continue her busy winter. The state leader went over 13 feet for the first time indoors at last week's Kevin Dare Invite. She's getting close to that state record of 13-2.25. Could Saturday be the day? Spring Grove's Nathalie Elliott and Manheim Central's Carley Sheppard are also ones to watch.
Int he sprints, we've got the season opener of Harrisburg's Ty'Asia Dansbury. She's entered in the 55, the 200, and the 400 and should be a threat to take all three. Her teammate Aalexis Berry will be one to watch in the 55 meters and the 200. Cedar Cliff's Grace Gillespie will also be in the mix in the 55 and 200.
Int he 1600 meters, we'll see a rematch between the two talented freshman distance runners, who have quite a bit of familiarity with each other: Greencastle-Antrim's Taryn Parks and Northern's Marlee Starliper. The pair had a great battle for the PIAA-AA state title in XC and now they'll meet on the track on Saturday. Keep an eye on that one.
In the 800, State College has a fleet of runners that should battle it out. Catherine Curtin, Julia Neely, and Emma Simon are all in the field. Then in the 3200 meters, the entries include State College's Gabbi Bock and Cailin Saylor, as well as Eastern York's Maddie McLain and Palisades' Sophia Doman.
In the shot put, the favorites are State College's Jordan Bair and Berwick's Payden Montana. Bair sits at PA#4, while Montana is right behind her at PA#5. In the 55-meter hurdles, watch out for Spring Grove's Zoe Stauffer.