On Friday April 21st, The 25th Annual Bald Eagle Invite will be streamed on PA MileSplit. For more information pertaining to Friday's meet stay tuned to the meet page, which will feature results and archived videos following the event.
There are currently 22 teams entered in The Bald Eagle Invite, presenting a lot of opportunity for stout competition.
3 Events to Watch
The 2000m Steeple Chase
Sometimes referred to as Steepletown, USA - Lock Haven has produced some of the fastest steeplechase races in state history. In fact, the boys' state record belongs to this venue.
In 2016 - Sam Signor (East Pennsboro) ran 6:06.89 to set the new state record at the 19th Annual Lock Haven High School Classic. In doing so, he broke Alex Coburn's (Cumberland Valley) previous state record of 6:07.16, set in 2013. Coincidentally, both would eventually end up attending Lock Haven University where they shared a couple seasons as teammates.
Brendan Miller (Upper Dauphin) ran the third fastest time in state history, 6:07.42, at the 2018 Bald Eagle Invite.
There are currently 11 girls and 21 boys entered in the steeplechase race for this year's rendition. Of the entrants, we'll have our eyes on William Pence-Kieser (Williamsport) who finished sixth in this event last year as a sophomore. He ran 7:24.87 last year.
The Triple Jump
The Boys and Girls triple jump feature large fields with high-end talent at the the top. On the boys' side Jayden King (Mifflin County) is currently ranked third in the state in the event. He jumped 46-1.5 at a dual meet last week and ranks only three inches behind the state lead. He's in the running for a state championship at the end of the season and we expect him to turn in another big jump this weekend.
Max Meyers (Jersey Shore) is also in the triple jump field. He may only be a freshman, but don't let that fool you. Meyers has already recorded a personal best of 43-1 and has added marks of 20-11.25 and 5-9 in the long and high. He is the top-ranked freshman in the state and ranks 33rd overall.
On the girls' side Lauren Stroka (Dubois) and Lily Hendricks (Central Mountain) should go head-to-head. Hendricks is currently ranked tenth in the state with her season best jump of 36-4. She finished fifth at the 2023 PTFCA Indoor State Championship with a jump of 38-1.25 and will likely be targeting that mark.
Stroka has previously jump 37-6.5 and will give Hendricks some tough competition. We wouldn't be surprised to see both of these girls turn in PA Top-5 marks.
The Boys Javelin
Talk about a loaded field. The Boys's javelin field features two of the Top-7 javelin throwers in the state, Lincoln Huber (Central Columbia) and Peter Bellomo (Jersey Shore). Huber is ranked fifth with a throw of 191-3 and Bellomo is ranked seventh with his throw of 185-6. Undoubtedly, both boys will targeting the elusive 200-foot barrier.
For Huber, the 2023 campaign has been a bit of a break-out season. Prior to this year he had never thrown further than 163-0. He finished 2022 ranked 61st in the state. This year he has already won three meets in the javelin event.
Bellomo is a tenured character in the javelin ranks. He concluded his 2022 season with a fifth place finish at the PIAA 3A State Championship. He is undefeated in the javelin competition this season, and has also scored wins in the shot, disc and long jump for his team.