VA Showcase - Girls Recap
Marlee Starliper was very impressive in the 1K down south in Virginia. The Northern junior, fresh off a strong 800/3K double last week at Susquehanna, was locked in a good battle with NY standout Lily Flynn. Starliper waited for a chance to move and pulled away for the win with a very strong last lap.
Starliper ran 2:50.25 for the win and a new US#3. It's also the third fastest 1K in PA state history, as she trails only mid-distance legends Chanelle Price and Gabrielle Wilkinson on the all-time list. Watch the race above.
It was a very solid weekend for the girls from Friends' Central. The DMR squad improved upon its own PA#2 in the event, running 12:11.54 for second place overall,. Ursuline School (NY) with Flynn earned the win. FCS sits at US#6 at the end of the weekend in the relay. FCS closed out the meet, winning the 4x400 in 4:01.10, a PA#3.
Lydia Russell of FCS had a big weekend. Russell went 5:10.27 for fifth in the invitational mile, a PA#10. Then she came back on Saturday and dropped a PA#1 and US#3 time of 10:48.04 for the win, even faster than the AAU winning time. Other strong Friends' Central performances were turned in by Micah Trusty (3rd in the 1K in a PA#2 2:56.21), Rebecca Wusinich (6th in the 2 mile in a PA#2 11:01.34), and Inara Shell (6th in the tripl jump at 36-11).
Taryn Parks of Greencastle-Antrim debuted on the track on Friday, taking the win in the AAU mile. The junior went 4:55.72, a PA#3 and US#7 time. Parks is fresh off another strong XC season and back in her speciality event.
Cheltenham's Bria Barnes raced very well in the 300 meters. The senior went 38.97 in the invitational section, a PA#2 and US#7 performance. She also ran a PA#7 time of 7.19 in the 55 meters taking 11th in the prelims, just missing the finals. Brianna Smith, also from Cheltenham, had a strong day. Smith won the invitational high jump, clearing 5-6 for the victory, her third win in the event this season.
Jane Livingston of Conestoga Valley went 8.16 in the prelims of the 55-meter hurdles, just off her own PA#2 season best. However, Livingston, who won her prelim heat, was just .01 off qualifying for what was a loaded final.
Sanaa Hebron from the George School went 25.23 to win the girls 200 meters, powering home well off the final bend to take the victory there.