Three field State Meet records fell during the first day's competition, one of them a US#3. Ryan Whiting, the Central Dauphin junior, uncorked a 193-02, an improvement of over eight feet on the 1985 AAA record set by Mark White of Upper Saint Clair. In the Javelin, two juniors went head-to-head, with last year's state champ, Osayi Osunde of Central Columbia, taking 2nd this year to the new record-holder in AA, Chad Radgowski of South Park. Radgowski';s throw of 207-02 was over 11 feet better than the record Osunde set in 2003. The third record was by Williamsport senior Ruby Radocah, who heaved the Javelin, into a wind, 158-00. She broke her own 2003 record of 156-08. The throw is #3 in the US. Ringgold senior Bev Rogers was 2nd with her 143-11 effort.In other field action, girls AAA High Jump, favorite Nicole Smith cleared a state best of 5-08 to win by an inch over fellow junior Kati Dempsey of Pleasant Valley. The girls' AAA Shot Put saw state leader Briana Flagg, a Harrisburg junior, took fourth, as Chambersburg's Jen Andrews went 41-05.75 for the win. Other winners included Milton Hershey's Jonathan Okon with a Triple Jump of 45-11; Riverside senior Nicole Pitchford, who cleared 10-06 in the AA Pole Vault; and Rose Morgans of Elmer Meyers, a senior who leapt 17-07.75 to win the AA Long Jump. In the AAA boys Triple Jump, Gettysburg junior Darnell Johnson leapt 47-11. Towanda senior Same Fairchild cleared 15-00 to win the AA boys Pole Vault. Nicole Smith took 3rd in the Long Jump after her morning High Jump win. Strath Haven senior Meredith Ryan won the event by just a half inch, going 17-05. Red Land junior Kristina Kline was 2nd. In AA girls High Jump, Lakeland's Trina Carito, was one of three sophomores to clear 5-05, but took the title on misses. Brittany Maun, Reynolds, was 2nd, while Lauren Donahoe, Greensburg Central Catholic, was 3rd. The boys AAA Shot Put was quite what was expected, but the winner was. Auston Papay, Sharon, won with a throw of 58-10.50. Teammate Dylan Page was 2nd with his throw of 56-11. A new Clickett is in town, and Natalie, a Union City sophomore thrower, won the AA Discus with her 136-11 throw.
Chad Radgowski, South Park, urges his record-setting 193-02 winning Javelin on to a PIAA record.
Runner-up Osaya Osunde, Central Columbia, was the defending AA champ. He and Radgowski will both return in 2004. Radgowski told PennTrack's Aaron Rich, "I definitely think that next year between me and Osunde, that one of us are going to break that record again. The determination is so strong between the two of us right now, that definitely next year that record is going to fall."
In the AAA boys Triple Jump, Gettysburg junior Darnell Johnson leapt 47-11."
Auston Papay, Sharon, wins the AAA Shot Put with a throw of 58-10.50."
Nicole Smith, McDowell, wins the AA High Jump, clearing 5-08."
Ryan Whiting, Central Dauphin, throws 193-02, a AAA PIAA record."
Jen Andrews, Chambersburg, is congratulated by state-leading Brianna Flagg,
Harrisburg, after winning the AAA state Shot Put Championship."
Union City's Natalie Clickett wins the AA girls Discus with a throw of 136-11."
