3/26-Krais, Hannon, Shump, Lane portend an incredible outdoor with PA Track Classic kick-off...

Hannon in the Long Jump, one of her three individual wins.

The young guns shot out of the Outdoor gate quickly, winning athlete of the meet honors as well as setting a meet record at the annual Pennsylvania Track Classic. Track Athlete of the Meet Ryann Krais, the talented multi-sport freshman you should have heard about during indoor, simply went out and won three events and anchored her 4x100 team to a 5th place finish. She went 44.55, overtaking a cramping Chanel Williams of host Plymouth-Whitemarsh in the 300 Hurdles. Krais excels at any distance up to 400 meters (along with the Long Jump), and the 300 and 400 Hurdles could be this lanky speedster's long-term best event. She also won the 100 Dash in 12.88 after favorite Clarenchell Tate of Simon Gratz went out during the 200 Trials. And she held off the Field Athlete of the Meet, junior Erin Hannon in the 100 Hurdles, going 15.36. That was the only event that Hannon lost during the day. While not quite meet her own expectations in the High Jump (5-04) and the Long Jump (17-01.50), she did set a meet record in the Triple Jump, leaping 37-08.75. Krista Simkins, the Wissahickon senior, won the 200 in 25.34 and the 400 in 57.96. And frosh Shot Put star and indoor state champ Karen Shump set a meet record with a throw of 42-10.25.



Krais at the start of the 100 Trials, one of her three individual wins.






The boys were no less impressive. Track Athlete of the Meet belonged to Brandon Lane of Engineering & Science, who captured the 300 Hurdles in 39.80 and the 110 variety in 14.96. William Penn (York's) Knowledge Timmons, a three-time state champ in the sprints, easily won the 100 in 10.95 seconds, but pulled up while leading the 200 to finish 3rd in the 200 in 23.13. Reportedly, his injury was a cramp, rather than a pull. Simon Gratz picked up where they left off indoor, winning the 4x100 in 43.37 and takng the 4x400 in 3:28.34. Sam Luff, Emmaus, held off the spirited challenge by Keith Cappecci of Council Rock North in the 3200 run, going 9:24.74-9:25.71, respectively. The Field Athlete of the Meet was Scott Sherwood of Pennridge, who cleared 14-06. And in the Javelin, Chris Gabryluk of Northampton, won with a throw of 177' 5".

Timmons lets the competition know he's beginning
the season like he finished the last one, in front.



Brandon Lane, Engineering & Science, powered through and over the barriers
to win the 110 Hurdles in 14.96 seconds.