PIAA District 1
- Meet Date: Friday, 5/19-Saturday, 5/20
- District 1 Leaderboard Links: AA Girls | AAA Girls | AA Boys | AAA Boys
Photo by Kathy Leister
Who To Watch For: Uche Nwogwugwu (North Penn)
Why? Arguably the state's most versatile athlete, Nwogwugwu enters the District 1 Championships looking to win her second straight district crown in the 400 meters. She'll also be among the top seeds in the triple jump. It's an unusual combination, sure, but the Penn-bound senior has proven to be one of the state's most exciting athletes over the past few seasons. She's the reigning state champ in the 400 meters, so just how fast can she go this season?
What to expect: Nwogwugwu enters the state meet at PA#2, running a time of 54.87 earlier in the season. But Nwogwugwu's most impressive performance came at the Penn Relays, when she ran an unreal (but actually real) F.A.T. split of 52.88 as the anchor in the 4x400. She also ran a 2:09.32 leg on the North Penn 4x800. For good measure, she's enters the week PA#8 in the triple jump. The question remains what events she'll contest and districts (and then states), but it's safe to say the performances will be big.
Others to watch: Cheltenham's Bria Barnes (Sprints - AAA); Cheltenham's Chanel Brissett (Sprints & Hurdles - AAA); Cheltenham 4x100 & 4x400 (AAA); Cheltenham's Alexis Crosby (Sprints - AAA); Girard College's Thelma Davies (Sprints - AA); Downingtown West's Aislinn Devlin (Distance - AAA); Abington's Kelly Jawork (Distance - AAA); Avon Grove's Chloee Kleespies (Throws - AAA); Upper Dublin's Madison Langley-Walker (Jumps & Hurdles - AAA); Conestoga's Grace Lanouette (Sprints - AAA); Wissahickon's Cala Lejman (Pole Vault - AAA); North Penn 4x800 (AAA); Taylor O'Brien (High Jump & Hurdles - AAA); Pennridge's Kouri Peace (Sprints - AAA); Penn Wood 4x400 & 4x800 (AAA); Penn Wood's Terri Turner (Mid-Distance - AAA); Perkiomen Valley's Christina Warren (Jumps & Hurdles - AAA); Villa Maria's Erin Zimmerman (Javelin - AAA)
Photo by Ethan Rissell
Who To Watch For: Nick Marino (Hatboro-Horsham)
Why? When he cleared a personal best of 16 feet at the indoor state meet, Marino joined the elite club of 16 feet-plus vaulters in PA history. Since then, he's won a lot. In fact, this outdoor season, the senior has been undefeated. His biggest jump came at Shippensburg (also the location of the state meet), where he cleared 16-3 for the win. The next week, he added a win at the Penn Relays. What more can he do?
What to expect: There's one more exclusive club Marino will be looking to join: the state record club. That mark is 16-6 held by three different vaulters: Strath Haven's Chris Williams (2012), Valley View's Ryan Wilkes (16-6) and Joe Berry (2007), who also attended Hatboro-Horsham like Marino. Marino has said that's his goal and we'll see if he can get up there at districts.
Others to watch: Council Rock North's Ryan Campbell (Distance - AAA); Central Bucks West 4x400 & 4x800 (AAA); Owen J. Roberts' Liam Conway (Distance - AAA); Lower Merion's Rashon Cooke (400m - AAA); Pennridge's Alex Dimon (Hurdles - AAA); Glen Mills' Quadir Gibson (Throws - AAA); Bishop Shanahan's Josh Hoey (Distance - AAA); Bishop Shanahan's Keegan Hughes (Sprints & Hurdles - AAA); Souderton's Shamar Jenkins (Jumps - AAA); Neshaminy's Rusty Kujdych (Distance - AAA); Coatesville's Terrance Laird (Sprints - AAA); Penn Wood's Dennis Manyeah (Mid-Distance & High Jump - AAA); Souderton's Connor McMenamin (Distance - AAA); Coatesville's Ricky Oretega (Javelin - AAA); Truman's Sayyid Saunders (Sprints - AAA); Kennett's Alec Sheehan (Discus - AAA)