Tori McKinley (Hickory) / Photo by Phil Grove
South Hills Classic - Meet Preview
After being snowed out last season, the weather looks much better for this year's edition of the South Hills Classic at Baldwin. Let's delve into the action:
GIRLS' PREVIEW
Saturday will mark the season debut of one of the state's best throwers--Tori McKinley of Hickory. McKinley, fresh off an indoor state title in the shot put is the favorite in both the shot and discus at South Hills. McKinley will be looking to complete the AA double with those events at states this year. Watch for her Hickory teammate Michaela Burkhauser in the throws as well.
We should see a good matchup in the 200 meters between Upper St. Clair's Jane Madson and Bradford Area's Ashton McGriff. McGriff is also entered in the 300 hurdles, where she'll square off with Hickory's Madi Evans and General McLane's Katherine Fair. Madson is also in the 400 meters along with Hickory's Morgan Donatelli.
Expect an action-packed 1600 meters as Vincentian Academy's Marianne Abdalah will look to start her outdoor season off well. She'll be contested by Upper Saint Clair's Savannah Shaw, who has been on a tear since in the fall. Both Abdalah and Shaw will return for the 3200 meters as well. Peters Township's Laura Ehrenberger is also in that 1600 field and is also the top seed in the 800 meters.
Reigning District 9 champion in the 100 meter hurdles, Brooke McGriff of Bradford Area will look to get her season off to a good start in her main event. She's the top seed there.
BOYS' PREVIEW
Like McKinley, another top Hickory thrower will hit the circle for the first time this spring: Evan Blaire. Blaire had a monster indoor campaign and the senior is the top seed is both the shot put and discus. He's the Class AA favorite in both events this season. Hickory's Tyler Bishop, Central Valley's Jacob White, and Riverside's Lance Fisher are among the other throwers to keep an eye on on Saturday.
After a memorable indoor season, Upper Saint Clair's Harvey Kane returns for the outdoor season. Kane won the long jump at indoor states in February. He'll look to keep it rolling into outdoors. He's the favorite on Saturday in both the long jump and high jump.
Washington's Isaiah Robinson will be another one to watch this weekend. He's entered in the high jump, but is favored in the triple jump. He'll be a serious threat this season in Class AA.
In the pole vault, watch for Baldwin's Dave Johnston, who will be heavily favored in the event.
The 1600 meters should be exciting. Baldwin's Casey Conboy and Freedom Area's Jarrett Boyd will battle it out in what should be a good early season matchup. Bradford Area's Logan Caruso is also in that field. Conboy will come back int he 3200 meters, which also features Taylor Allderdice's Amadou Diallo and Winchester Thurston's Shaun Hay. Boyd, meanwhile, will come back for the 800 meters.
Hickory's Dozie Ezi-Ashi will look for a good start to his season in the sprints. He's the top seed in the 100 meters and the second seed in the 200 meters behind Hickory teammate William Gruber. Gruber will contest the 400 meters before that, where he's also the top seed.
In the 300 meter hurdles, watch for the Riverside duo of Jeremy Spicher and Calvin Wetzel. Spicher is one of AA's top returners in the event.