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With other sports going on in the winter and discus/javelin athletes not being able to throw their disciplines indoors, the outdoor season brings a range of new competitors to the world of athletics. Here are some of the top returning track and field athletes in PA who didn't compete indoors.
Top Returners Who Didn't Compete Indoors:
Chambersburg's JJ Kelly needs little introduction after his performance at the 2023 PIAA Outdoor State Championship.
Kelly won the high jump, clearing 6-8, won the triple jump, covering 47-7, ran a leg of the first-place 4x100m relay team, and finished 3rd in the long jump, covering 23-1.5 (PR). Kelly has established himself as arguably the state's most well-rounded 3A athlete.
Kelly also flexes an impressive 6-10 high jump personal best and a wind-assisted 49-2 triple jump personal best.
Expect to see Kelly defend his high jump title as the top-ranked returning 3A boy. Kelly will face his biggest challenge this season: defending his triple jump gold and adding a long jump title. Jordan Sowell (Cheltenham) has proven to be a top triple jump contender this indoor season. As for the long jump, Kelly would have to dethrone Kyle Moore (Emmaus), the reigning indoor and outdoor long jump state champion.
Sowell's personal best this indoor season was 51-1, one foot nine inches ahead of Kelly's personal best. Sowell went on to win the PTFCA Indoor State triple jump title and finish third at Nike Indoor Nationals. Between Sowell's recent momentum and Kelly's success from last outdoor season, the two will make for a highly anticipated showdown.
In the long jump, Moore rocks a 24-10.25 personal best, measuring over a foot and a half ahead of Kelly's 23-1.5. Kelly would have needed a massive off-season to contend in the long jump, but he still shouldn't be overlooked.
Tyrone Chambers (North Schuylkill) is another high jumper who will make his return during the outdoor season. Chambers cleared 6-6, a two-inch personal best, to place second behind Kelly in last year's 3A high jump final.
Danville Area's Bronson Krainak is PA's top returning javelin thrower. Krainak was second in the 2A javelin competition at last year's state championship, throwing 197-10. He went on to place ninth at New Balance Nationals Outdoor, missing the podium by just 0.38 of a meter.
What can we expect to see from Krainak in 2024?
Well we need to take a look at his most recent result. On October 28th of 2023, Krainak won the OcTHROWber javelin contest with an impressive 206-1 personal best, marking his second time throwing over 200 feet. With this sort of momentum Krainak will be on pace to earn himself a state title and solidify himself as one of the top javelin throwers in the nation.
Daunte Bell (Norristown) and Dane Asbury (Washington) are highly-ranked sprinters. Bell was fifth in the 3A 200m dash state finals in 2023 and went on to clock a strong 21.62 personal best at New Balance Outdoor Nationals. Meanwhile, Asbury had an impressive 2A state meet double, placing third in the 200m dash and fourth in the 100m dash. His season bests in 2023 were 10.75 and 21.86, both wind-assisted.
Time will tell what these two sprinters have in the tank this outdoor season among the many other top-ranked boys in PA.
Other Standouts Who Didn't Compete Indoors:
Jermere Jones (Chambersburg), Tristan Ohler (Meyersdale Area), and Jude Mugerwa (Richland) are sprinters and hurdlers to look out for.
Don't underestimate Manheim Township's Cole Stevens. The distance runner may not have competed indoors, but he did spend the winter months building fitness as one of PA's top-ranked swimmers.
Sam Lundeen (Kane Area), John Jablunovsky (Ligonier Valley), and Isaiah Moore (Northeast) are high jumpers who won't miss a beat outdoors.
Jackson Sotoky (Conemaugh Township Area) and Ryan Lewis (Carlyton) will hit the sand as top-ranked 2A long jumpers.
Jack Thomas (Commodore Perry), Kevin Polonia (Stroudsburg), and Jaylon Bean (Waynesboro) are triple jumpers to note.
Evan Risinger (Marion Center) has the potential to make his mark by finding another pole vault state medal.
Be on the lookout for Collin Niedrowski (Wyomissing Area) and Samuel Guzman (Hazleton Area) in the javelin.
Max Tipton (Wyomissing Area) is a solid shot putter who will be back in action.