Photo Credit: Christian Lisle | OH MileSplit
With the opportunity presenting itself - six Pennsylvanians moved to State Best marks at meets in Ohio this past weekend.
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Grace Howard clears New Heights
In the Girl's High Jump - Grace Howard (South Fayette) tied her lifetime best at Youngstown State, clearing 5-5. She outjumped the next best performer by three inches and led nine Pennsylvanians over five feet. The effort moved her into the PA No. 1 slot and the Top-50 nationally.
Howard is also ranked inside the PA's Top 20 in the Long Jump and 60mH. She was the PTFCA Runner-Up in 2022.
Another All-Time Effort
To highlight the action - Sophia Rodriguez (Dallastown) ran the best mark by an eighth grader in state history. She flew to a 4:56 1600m, leaving the field in her wake and leading a Pennsylvania 1-2-3. Eight Pennsylvanians landed in the Top 10.
McCracken Improves on his State Leading Mark
Shaving a tenth off his previous PA No. 1 - Evan McCracken (Richland) sprinted to a new PA No. 1 in the 60m dash with a 6.83.
The All-State Running Back continues his unexpected start to the season. McCraken finished second in the field but moved up to US No. 29. He currently ranks over a tenth faster than the next-best 60m sprinter in PA.
Griffith hits the sixth-best mark of All-Time
Not to bury the lead - but Drew Griffith (Butler) flew to a 4:07.31 at the SPIRE Scholastic Showcase. In a fantastic dual with fellow Cross Country All-American Connor Ackley - Drew Griffith came out on top - edging Ackley by under a second.
Griffith's mark is technically the fastest time in PA History in the 1600m event, but when including conversions to the Mile, it is the sixth-best mark of All-Time. Ringgold's Ryan Pajak was also in contention; he ran 4:13.69.
An All-Time Field leads to a new PA No. 1
A star-studded field resulted in the Top Five marks in the nation. Irene Riggs, Leah Stephens, Katie Clute, Ciara O'Shea, Jolena Quarzo, and Logan St. John Kletter toed the line together and took off - on a joint mission to run as fast as possible.
The result for Quarzo and St. John Kletter were marks of 10:19 and 10:24, respectively. They sit first and third in the State.
Andrew Demko Improves in the WT Again
Andrew Demko (Shenango), who has been focusing on the weight throw a lot this season - managed to throw a new State best 59-8 at the SPIRE Scholastic Showcase this weekend. Since his first meet of the season, Demko has improved by over 10 feet in the event.
As a result, he sits at No. 33 in the Nation.