Dickinson College HS Invitational - Meet Preview
Girls' Preview
FIELD
Last weekend was a great start to the season in the long jump. Lower Dauphin's Karina Long jumped a PA#1 18-7.5 for the win. The state leader is back in action this weekend with her eyes on the 19 foot mark. State College's Taylor Givens will make for a great competition here.
The girls' pole vault will also be competitive. State record holder Katie Jones started off her record-breaking and national title-winning season at this meet last year. She's graduated, but PA#2 Hailey Zurich of Loyalsock and PA#3 Carena Nottoli of Hempfield are entered, along with State College's Lyndsey Reed. This will be a matchup worth watching for.
TRACK
In the 4x800 meter relay, a pair of squads coming off strong cross country seasons---Unionville and State College Area---will meet for an early-season matchup. Look for the state leading time to go down here.
In the 60 meters, Warwick's impressive sprint duo of Lily Palacio-Lewis and Leah Graybill will square off with State College's Givens and Altoona's Jasmine VonColln. Both Palacio-Lewis and Graybill return for the 200 meters later in the day.
Sarah Crissman lead the 800 meter field. The Fleetwood Area senior was fifth at indoor states last year and will be one to watch in the event this winter. She'll be looking to start her season off on the right foot. State College's Esther Seeland will look for a strong performance in the 400 meters.
Eastern York's Maddie McLain had a very solid XC season. Now the Butler recruit will open up her indoor season on Saturday, looking to take wins in the 1600 and 3200 meters. State College's Emma Simon and Gabbi Bock will be strong competitors in the 1600.
Boys' Preview
FIELD
Payton Morris will return to the runway on Saturday. The East Pennsboro senior and state leader went 15-3 last week at F&M and will be looking to better his early season best. But he'll get competition from Schuylkill Valley's Joe Jardine. Jardine opened his season with a PA#2 15-1 and will give Morris a run for the victory.
Selinsgrove's Keith Dreese, the state's top returner in the shot put, will enter the circle for the first time this season. He had a terrific spring and he'll be one of the throwers to beat this season. Dreese's teammate Brennen Wolf and Fleetwood's Seth Wagner will make this a strong field.
TRACK
Saturday will bring us out first look at the State College Area boys 4x800 meter relay, a perennial power in the event. They'll be favored to take the victory there.
McConnellsburg's Josh Booth, who ran a strong race at Mercersburg to open up his season last week, will return in the 55 meter hurdles again this week. He's at PA#2 with his 7.70.
In the 3200 meters, look for State College's Mitchell Etter. The senior was 14th in the states in XC and is worth watching for this weekend.