One of the many premiere events of the day at Saturday's PTFCA Indoor Track Carnival came in the 60-meter hurdles, where four of the state's top five ranked girls squared off.
Jane Livingston of Conestoga Valley asserted herself as the state's best right now, capturing the win in 8.41 over Perkiomen Valley's Christina Warren, who took second in 8.50. Council Rock South's Elke Knecht came across third in a T-PA#3 time of 8.94 and Cheltenham's Brianna Smith was fourth in 9.14 as part of her busy day (Smith also won the long jump and placed second in the high jump).
Livingston got the better jump off the line on Saturday and gradually increased her lead to take the victory and a new PR.
It's an exceptional year in the hurdles, with each of these girls cracking into the national rankings and moving up the all-time Pennsylvania list. Livingston's winning 8.41 is a current PA#1 and US#4, as well as the fourth fastest time time in PA state history. Warren's PA#2 8.50 is also a US#8. It's just off her PR of 8.48 from last season.
Livingston is headed to Villanova in the fall, while Warren, who is also the PA#1 triple jumper, is bound for Arizona State.
Saturday's matchup was a state preview of sorts with the amount of talent in the Carnival final. Livingston was second to Warren in the state meet final last year, but for now, she has the upperhand. This will be one of many head-to-head battles to keep an eye on with less than two weeks from the indoor state meet at Penn State.
Watch the race above, and check out an interview with Livingston below, along with other meet links.
