Here's a rundown of what to expect from the PTFCA Indoor Track Carnival 2023 at Lehigh University this Saturday!
On the track:
Breaking things down in order of events, the 4x800m relay will kick off the action. Emmaus will be the favorite for Saturday as their team is fresh off an 8:22.19 time from the Ocean Breeze Invitational last weekend. Close behind them are the evenly matched Methacton, Upper Dublin, and Abington squads. The Methacton team ran a season-best time of 8:26.57 at the Ocean Breeze Invitational, while the Abington team ran 8:29.48 at the same meet. Upper Dublin ran 8:28.33 back in January, so it will be exciting to see how things play out. Shikellamy and Bensalem are some other solid teams entered in the 4x800m.
In the 60m hurdles, Anthony Collins (Harry S Truman) is the clear favorite, coming into the meet with the current PA No.1 time of 8.20. However, Collins will have to bring his A-Game as a deep field of athletes like Tre Cook (Pottsgrove), Ty Tindal (Martin Saints Classical High), William Scott (Lancaster Catholic), and Landon McGallicher (Manheim Central) will be chasing him down.
Asir Moore (Imhotep Institute Charter HS) will come into the meet with the fastest 60m dash time of 6.98. Behind Moore, both tied for PA No.10 with a time of 7.05, are Ke' Nai Massiah (Cheltenham) and Daunte Bell (Norristown). Two other solid boys in the race with the same season best of 7.07 are Xavier Diaz (Mount Carmel Area) and Logan Rodkey (Selinsgrove).
In the 1 mile run, Thomas Smigo (Palisades) comes in with an impressive lead time of 4:19.95 from the Ocean Breeze Invitational. Peter Murray (Abington) is also coming off a solid weekend at the Ocean Breeze Invitational, where he ran 4:26.83. Keep an eye on Samuel Enders (State College High School). Enders has the potential to get his PR under the 4:30 barrier.
Tyler Abraham (Abington) will be the young man to watch in the 400m dash as he has the current PA No.1 time of 48.88. However, you can't count out Walton Garnett (Chester), who just ran 49.36 last weekend. This showdown will be an entertaining one.
The 800m run favorite is the talented Timothy Roden (Central Dauphin). Roden ran 1:55.96 at the Kevin Dare Invitational in January. Behind him, a likely battle for 2nd will be taking place between Thomas Hess (Lewisburg Area), Noah Keller (Ephrata), and Peyton Engle (Harry S Truman).
Quamere Cosby (Chester) and his season-best time of 22.52, up against Dylon Simon (Parkland) and his season-best time of 22.55, should make for a very exciting dual in the 200m dash. Other solid runners to keep an eye on are Abraham Sloboh (Milton Hershey), Nick Garman (Cedar Crest), and Christopher Robinson (Paul Robeson School for Human Services).
Look out for Matt Castronuovo (Upper Dublin) in the 3000m run. Castronuovo comes in with a quick PA No.6 time of 8:44.99. A likely contender for 2nd is Jake Perhonitch (Cedar Crest), who is coming off a respectable PR of 9:09.06 from last weekend's Lancaster PAL's LL Challenge.
Fresh off the track at the Ocean Breeze Invitational is the Norristown 4x200m relay squad. Norristown has the current PA No.3 time of 1:31.12. However, the Abington team and their 1:32.36 season best, as well as the Imhotep Institute Charter HS team and their 1:32.47 season best, are more than capable of contending. Other teams to watch are Harry S Truman and Bensalem.
Haverford Township HS and the team's PA No.1 time of 10:28.54 are the particular favorites for the distance medley relay on Saturday. It will be a battle for 2nd between the Methacton team and the Abington team.
The 4x400m relay is bound to be eventful, thanks to the three PA Top-5 teams competing. The Abington team comes in with the fastest time, which is a blistering 3:23.97. Behind them are the Upper Dublin squad, with a time of 3:26.00, and the Harry S. Truman squad, with a time of 3:26.70. All three of these teams are fresh off the Ocean Breeze Invitational.
In the field:
The long jump favorite is Blake Brown (Germantown Academy), thanks to his personal best effort of 21'-7.75". Although, keep an eye on Reed Fretz (Cedar Crest), Jack Ingles (Southern Lehigh), and Rodney Bronson (Wilson Area) as potential contenders.
The shot put has a stacked field, with PA No.5 Kyree Butler (Upper Dublin) leading the way. Butler threw an impressive 52'-8.25" at the TFCAofGP Meet #8 back in January. Just behind him on the state leaderboard is Colin Melhorn (Selinsgrove), coming in with a season-best of 51'-1--.75". Other competitive athletes that will be there Saturday are Colin Daub (Eastern Lebanon County), Odin Ferency (Easton Area), and Gavin Fountain (Germantown Academy).
The pole vault competition should create an exhilarating experience as some of PA's top talent will compete. Breckin Swope (East Pennsboro Area SD) comes in as the leading competitor with a PA No.2 height of 15'-0". Behind him is Drake Risser (Lower Dauphin) with a season-best of 14'-9" and Aiden Hurlburt (Emmaus) with a season-best of 14'-6". Other vaulters to keep an eye on are Mason Bucks (Palmyra) and Tyler Grabinski (Emmaus).
The top three high jumpers at Saturday's meet all come in with the same personal best of 6'-0". It will be a fun time watching Ty'Shawn Ewings (Harrisburg High School), Joachim Johnson (Episcopal Academy), and Michael Stebila (Selinsgrove) battle things out.