Jenna Mulhern was ready for the big meet atmosphere.
"It was great walking in today and seeing all the tents and all the people," the West Chester Henderson junior said. "It's been so long since we've had a race like this, and the Henderson Invite is always an amazing meet."
In the Friday twilight, Mulhern rose to the occasion, putting down a PA No. 1 and US No. 7 in the 3,200 meters to pick up the decisive win on her home track. Mulhern ran even splits for most of the race and went wire-to-wire for a time of 10:14.92 to shave a few ticks off her PR in the event.
Mulhern had some company early on, but broke free and stayed smooth through to grab the win and the state lead.
It was a fast race overall, with Northeastern's Margaret Carroll taking second in a PA No. 3 time of 10:39.68. Wilson's Caryn Rippey closed well to take third in 10:42.09, edging out Tiffany Herrera of St. Mark's (DE), who placed fourth.
West Chester East's Sonia Piombino, Owen J. Roberts' Claire Zubey, West Chester Rustin's Ellie Keefer, and Lower Merion's Sarah Hurst all went sub-11 and ran PA top 10 times.
Mulhern wasn't done after Friday night's run. She returned on the next morning to run away with the win in the girls 1,600 meters, clocking a time of 4:56.13 for victory No. 2 of the meet. That's about three seconds off her own PA No. 1 time in the 1,600.
Watch the race above and check out an interview with Mulhern below.