AAA GIRLS PREVIEW
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By Don Rich
Sprints/Hurdles
Chester's Rayiana Johnson has had a breakthrough junior year, winning the indoor 60 meter dash and dominating invitationals all season long. She PRed with a 12.06 in late April, and comes in as the top seed in the 100 Meter Dash after finishing 6th in 2008. Simon Gratz junior Tymerah Burgess is the only other returning medalist, seeded just .01 behind Johnson. Others to watch are two fast freshmen, Khaddisha Arnold of Central York and Jessica Whitmore of Chambersburg.
In the 100 Meter Hurdles, Harrisburg's Alysha Cook led the state all season with her early 14.31. But she kicked it down a notch at her District 3 meet, going 14.28 to garner the top seed. Good thing she took off those .03 because Abington sophomore star Leah Nugent was posting a fast 14.29 prelim and 14.30 final in winning District 1. Girls' High's Jasmine Wanamaker got a little breeze going at District 12 with a hand-timed 14.1. And from the other side of the state, Taylor Doaty posted a quick 14.35 at her WPIAL Qualifier and is in the last heat with Cook.
As the distance goes up, but the barriers remain, Nugent gets faster. She leads the state in the 300 Meter Hurdles with a 42.36 in the prelims at District 1 (43.94 finals). Central Bucks East's Ali Gillen was less than a half second back in that final, going 43.47. Also look for challenges from seniors Elizabeth Kline of Upper Saint Clair, and Wanamaker. Doaty should also be in the mix in this one. Cook and Kline were 2nd and 5th, respectively in 2008 in the 100H. Gillen is the top returner in the 300, having finished 3rd just ahead of Nugent.
Johnson and Cook meet up in the 200 Meter Dash. Cook had held the top time in the state this season - 24.68, but Johnson comes in the top seed after her 24.63 into a slight headwind at District 1. Brittany Wallace, Penn Wood, and Monique Sims, Schenley, are top contenders in their heats. Anyssa Barbour, Chambersburg, is the top returner. She was 4th last year.
When the lap count goes from one to two, Wallace just gets stronger. Her 56.27 at the Delco Champs is the top 400 Meter Dash time in PA, and her 57.00 at Districts gave her the top seed. Wilson (3) senior Gabrielle Poore is the 2nd seed at 57.25. The top returning medalist is Norwin junior Shannon Abraham, who was 5th in 2008.
Mid-Distance/Distance
There are four girls in the 2:12 range in the 800 Meter Run, but only two in the AAA race - State College sophomore Chloe Schmidt and Gwynedd Mercy Academy senior Taylor Bumpas. The others are the AA favorite, Kalyn Fisher of Lewisburg, and Academy of Notre Dame junior Ayanna Fields, who runs for a private, non-PIAA school. Schmidt was 4th last year, and Bumpas 8th. Should be a great battle between great speed and obvious strength. It was Bumpas' best 800 since she was 3rd in 2007 at the state meet in 2:10.92.
In the 1600 Meter Run, half of the 2008 medalists return. Seniors Natalie Bower (Latrobe), and Lindsey Graybill (Emmaus) will give a sneak peak of the final as they match up in the first heat. Also in the heat is State College sophomore Chloe Schmidt. The three were 2nd, 3rd and 4th, respectively, last year. Coatesville senior Sheena Crawley, 8th in 2008, rounds out the top returners who see each other in heat one. Their biggest challenge should come from Council Rock North senior Julie Fricke who busted a 4:58.88 at the District 1 Championships - almost a five second PR from her Friday prelim, which was a PR, as well.
Noticeably absent from the 1600 are New Oxford senior Jordan Jenkins and Liberty sophomore Jess Cygan. They will do battle - fresh - in the 3200 Meter Run. Jenkins was 2nd in 2008 and has shown marked improvement this season. They'll miss the state's top 3200 in-season time this year in Bower, but they'll have their hands full with Norwin's Leslie Kovach and surprise District 1 champ Nicole Lord of Penncrest, who has improved by almost half a minute since the beginning of April. Last year's 3rd place finisher, Elizabeth Simpson of Boyertown, is also in the field.
Relays
Abington, Central Bucks East and Penn Hills are the three top 4x100 Meter Relay teams in the state. If all goes as planned - and sticks make their way the entire prelims - it'll be an incredible final. Penn Hills is the defending champ.
Five teams are under 3:58 in the 4x400 Meter Relay. But Abington is over six seconds up on their nearest competitor, Penn Wood, which has set this race as their season goal. Also in the hunt will be North Penn, Norwin and Central Bucks West - the top returning team.
Six 4x800 Meter Relay squads are under 9:21, including North Penn - who has clocked 9:16.88 - and Downingtown East, Central Bucks West, St. Basil Academy, Latrobe, and Conestoga.
Jumps
In the High Jump, Garden Spot's Angie Messner has cleared 5-10, with Souderton's Kristin Smith over at 5-8. Several athletes have cleared 5-7. Messner and Smith were 3rd and 4th respectively, last year.
Last year's 5th place finisher in the Long Jump, Courtney Kedra of Phoenixville, is leading the state with a jump of 19-01.75. Fellow junior Brittney Howell of Cheltenham, is in the upper-18 range, as is Abington frosh Jordan Matthews.
West Allegheny senior Keri Dantley just missed a Triple Jump medal last year, and she obviously took matters into her own hands. She is the top seed at 39-7, the best jump in the state this season. Four other girls in the flight have gone over 38-feet this year.
Council Rock South's Tory Worthen was Pole Vault runner-up last year. She has cleared 12-10, just 2.5 inches shy of what she is really chasing - the 13-00.5 state best held by Abby Schaffer, Easton. Two others are over 12', including seniors Mandissa Marshall of Crestwood and Megan Breski of East Pennsboro. Marshall was 3rd last year.
Throws
Seven girls have thrown over 40 feet, but it's West Chester Henderson senior Shante Evans who is out at 46-04.25, a Shot Put PR she set at her District 1 meet.
Hempfield sophomore Rachel Serafin is the top seed in the Discus with her District 7 throw of 138-06. Four other athletes are over 130 feet with seniors Shante Evans of West Chester Henderson and Maressa Guynn of Laurel Highlands over 135 feet.
Senior Amber Troxell of William Allen was 4th in the Javelin last year. She comes in as PA#1 AAA (#2 overall) just ahead of Elizabeth Forward junior Tori Paterra. Defending AAA champ Laura Loht, a junior, is PA#4.