ALL STORIES NOW POSTED: Miller vs Walker | Morrison vs Costello | Kauffman vs Heat 3 | Hannon vs 2nd place
Craig Miller obliterated the PA 3k all-time best. Jake Walker ran a PA#2 all-time mark. Problem was, it was in the same race. In the Mile, Sarah Morrison showed Liz Costello that she too, has a kick. But Costello came back to gut out a 3000 win. In the 800, it is rare for someone from the next-last heat win the race, but that's exactly what happened for a confident Aaron Kauffman. And Erin Hannon finally erased her 2nd place jinx in state meets by winning two titles.
Miller vs Walker
To say Wisconsin signee Craig Miller is focused for his senior year would be an understatement.
"After nationals last spring (Nike Outdoor, 2nd place 4:07.19) I wanted to work hard so I didn't have to get second any more." He upped his summer mileage to 45+ a week on six days a week training.
Craig Miller, Manheim Twp.
On November 12th, two weeks before the biggest race of his senior cross country season, three-time XC state champion Craig Miller was already out of the running for his second Foot Locker finals berth. In fact, he was out of running, period. A collapsed lung – known as a spontaneous pneumothorax – had done what no competitor had been able to do last fall – stop him from having the best senior season he could possibly have.
Miller listened to his doctors, although it was tough. He waited. He began running in mid-December, but had restrictions on his outdoor training because of the cold weather. He had been running on a treadmill, and with the coldness of the month at the end of the year, added swimming to his training regimen. "The coach asked me to swim, and said I could still run every day. I went to about 3-4 practices a week after running." While his times in the pool weren't enough to qualify for Districts individually, they surpassed his times of a year earlier. And according to Manheim Township head coach Mark Linn, "his conditioning never left, and the swimming has certainly helped."
In mid-January, Miller was cleared for running outside, and to resume full intensity training. He did, and is now at 60+ a week. Miller's distance coach, Terry Lee, said Miller had also begun some harder workouts on February 2nd. That February 2nd workout had "felt fast" according to Miller. A week later, though, he did two 1,000s with a lap between, followed by four 200s with 200m rest... a ten-minute run, a 1600, two more 1000s, and then the four 200s again. "I felt better."
The confidence was returning, and Miller was looking forward to his first-ever indoor race... the 3000 at the 2/18 Penn State HS Invitational. Well, he nearly matched last year's winning state meet record time by Ellwood City's Jake Walker, running alone to an 8:38.65. "I knew I could go faster."
On the Tuesday before his States race, he did three 800's "to get a quick feel and get my legs sub-70 again."
Mission accomplished, because during the course of his entire 8:22.65 he didn't exceed 35 seconds for a lap.
Craig Miller's splits courtesy of Mark Schwartz
400: 65.92
800: 2:11.7
1200: 3:18.9
1600: 4:26
2000: 5:33.8
2400: 6:42.2
2800: 7:50.7
3000: 8:22.65 with final 200 of 31.7
The mark eclipses the PA all-time record set in 1997 by Southmoreland star Chris Dugan. The time was 8:30.4.
Jake Walker, Ellwood City
Well, that record was also broken on Saturday by the defending state champion Jake Walker of Ellwood City. A Notre Dame recruit, Walker had broken Dan Coval's (Council Rock North) 1999 meet record in winning this event in 2005. He knew Miller was running well, based on his solo 3000 on February 18th. But he also knew he wasn't going to go down without a fight. Unfortunately, he forgot some of his ammunition. He had the wrong spikes and was forced to wear racing flats (Remember people, MF Athletic has spikes at the meet).
Either way, Walker knew he was in a race against himself, and that is exactly how it developed. "Craig is an amazing runner and he went after it."
At 800, Walker was two seconds behind Miller. And he was in no-man's land. Which, in a distance race, is the equivalent to running a 60-meter dash by yourself. "I wasn't going to give up easily. I was fighting for every second I got."
By the 1600, he was over five seconds back. Between there and his finish in 8:30.35, he would lose only another three seconds. The time stands as the #2 all-time indoor 3000 by a PA runner.
Walker was pleased with his time and his effort, and he understood it's place in state history. "Any other year that would have been a dominant time. But it's Craig's year. I am not going to let his performance overshadow my performance."
So what does PA have to look for from this pair. Well, neither is running any more indoor races. Craig is now aiming for the Penn Relays Mile... going under 9 minutes for the 2-mile, getting the state record in the 1600 (Paul Vandegrift, 4:03.22, 1987), and winning the Mile at the Nike Outdoor Nationals in June.
Walker will take an easy week and then start gearing up for the 3000 at the Penn Relays. He is also shooting for a sub-9 3200 and/or the AA state meet record of 9:04.09 (Chris Dugan), and a sub-4:12 Mile.
Those who saw the race on Saturday saw something special. Spring can only bring more of the same.
Jake Walker's splits courtesy of Mark Schwartz
800: 2:13.8
1200: 3:22.7
1600: 4:31.9
3000: 8:30.35
Morrison vs Costello
Each had one state championship coming into the race. Chambersburg junior Sarah Morrison won her's in the PIAA meet in May 2005, taking the 1600 in 4:59.36. Conestoga senior Liz Costello captured her's by winning the AAA Cross Country title in record time. She then moved on to Foot Locker Nationals, and then during January, qualified for the Millrose Mile with a Mile PR at the NY Armory of 4:56.09. Both runners have wheels. Both know how to win. But Morrison apparently knows the element of surprise. In fact, she even surprised herself a little.
Liz Costello, Conestoga, leads
Sarah Morrison, Chambersburg
Morrison came into the race with a clear plan. "Liz would take the race out hard. I just wanted to stay with her until I thought I could make my move." But while Morrison had run a 59-second split for 400m last year, she was wary of Costello's speed. "I know she has amazing leg speed. I wasn't sure if I would be able to pass her and stay in front."
For her part, Costello did exactly as Morrison had planned. "I went in thinking I'm just going to go out strong, hold on, and try to kick it in." Costello is used to being the "guinea pig" in races, so she just worried about her own race. Costello led through the 400 in 73.1, and then the 800 in 2:26.8.
About that time Morrison says she could tell it was going to be a fast time. "I tried not to listen to the splits, especially the 800. But Liz started to pull away and I forced myself to pick it up and get back up there with her."
Costello felt the pressure, and then knew she had a small lead. "I noticed she wasn't on my shoulder the whole time, so when she was only a step back with three laps to go, it kind of threw me a little."
The two would stay locked until the final lap. Costello was feeling confident in her kick. After all, she has 400 speed under Morrison's best.
Morrison knew she was running out of time to make her move. It ended up being on the backstretch with less than 150 meters in the race. "On the last turn I thought she was right behind me. I didn't want to think about her coming up."
Sarah Morrison, Chambersburg
The move surprised Costello. "I was in shock on the backstretch. After the shock wore off, I tried to go after her again, but my legs just seized up and that was all I had to give."
Morrison was a little surprised, but not shocked with her performance. "I wasn't expecting that. It gives me a lot more confidence in my abilities."
Costello already had a healthy respect for Morrison before the race, but gained even more after participating in what she called a "textbook" race. "I give her all the credit in the world. She ran a better strategic race. A phenomenal race."
Morrison now hopes to drop her mile time even more..."closer to 4:50." She'll race the Mile at the Nike Indoor meet in two weeks, and then most likely in the open Mile at the Penn Relays. And Costello will go to the Nike Indoor Nationals to race in either the 800 or the Mile, plus the 4x400 and 4x800. From there, she'll concentrate on either the 4x800 or DMR at the Penn Relays, leaving the open events to others. "I have done open events all year. I love these girls. I have miles left to come after that."
Costello did get her 2nd state title later in the day as she held off a late charge by Penn-Trafford junior Diana Filtz to wn the 3000 in 10:17.26, with Filtz at 10:17.92. "That race was a mental battle. When I saw I had ten laps to go, I didn't know where it was going o come from. I used the other girls. I just didn't have the energy to lead it." With two laps to go she made her move, and then held on.
Like Costello, a lot of athletes had busy days. Costello summed up what many of them were probably feeling... "If this were a workout, I'd probably say, 'you gotta be kidding me coach. This is insane.' But when you get in this atmosphere, saneness just goes out the window."
Sarah Morrison's splits courtesy of Mark Schwartz
400: 72.8
800: 2:26.8
1200: 3:42.2
Mile: 4:54.05 with final 200 of 35.3
Liz Costello's splits courtesy of Mark Schwartz
400: 73.1
800: 2:26.7
1200: 3:42.2
Mile: 4:57.24 with final 200 of 38.3
Kauffman vs Heat 3
This kind of thing happens. But in a race like the 800, it doesn't usually go down this way. With 24 runners in the race. the athletes are seeded from slowest to fastest. The top eight seeds get to go last... so they know the time they have to beat. So when 14th seed Aaron Kauffman, a senior from Red Land High School near Harrisburg, posted a time of 1:55.24 in the next-to-last heat, it surely got the attention of the other eight runners about to race.
Aaron Kauffman, Red Land
But that still doesn't explain where a nearly five-second PR comes from. Kauffman's seed time was 2:00.17. "I split 1:55 in track last year at Mid-Penn's." It was his first time anchoring the team's 4x800, and he responded. So even though he hadn't broken 2 minutes this season, that race gave him confidence. "Personally, I didn't count myself out. I thought I had a slim shot."
Kauffman also liked his heat. "I didn't have to jockey around for position at the start. I could just sit out of trouble and watch the race in front of me."
His plan was to stay back for the first 400 and then to make a move. He came through in 58.2, and then turned on the effort, splitting 57.1 to finish with what would turn out to be the winning time.
Kauffman was too nervous to look at the scoreboard for the times from the last heat. "I turned my back and closed my eyes." He looked up, saw he had the best time, but still waited to celebrate until the results had been finalized.
"It surprised my coach. He didn't expect it either."
Kauffman will race the 800 at the Nike Indoor Nationals and is hoping his 4x800 can come together for some good times (on the track) in the spring. He has made a verbal commitment to UNC-Charlotte.
Boys' 800m Seeds for 2/25 PTFCA States
Section 2 Timed Finals
1 152 Malet, Zack Friends Central 1:59.64
2 154 Brodsky, Mike Unionville 1:59.92
3 155 Edling, Cody North Penn 2:00.01
4 156 Hall, Matt Downingtown East 2:00.14
5 157 Szamboti, Jim Neshaminy 2:00.15
6 158 Kauffman, Aaron Red Land 2:00.17
7 159 Spandorfer, David Lower Merion 2:00.48
8 88 Gillin, Matlack Springfield Mont 2:00.54
Section 3 Timed Finals
1 146 McNally, Rob Upper Darby 1:55.90
2 147 Jones, Jamar Engineering & Sc 1:56.99
3 148 Gordon, Matt Upper Dublin 1:58.60
4 149 Smith, Adam Camp Hill 1:58.77
5 150 Konctra, Andrew Hempfield (3) 1:59.50
6 151 Rhodes, Elliot Germantown Acade 1:59.51
7 87 Brown, Max North Allegheny 1:59.54
8 153 Hurley, Mike Penn Wood 1:59.64
Boys 800 Meter Run, sub 2:00
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Name Year School Finals Points
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1 Kauffman, Aaron Red Land 1:55.34 10
2 Malet, Zack Friends Central 1:55.68 8
3 Jones, Jamar Engineering & Sc 1:55.75 6
4 Rhodes, Elliot Germantown Acade 1:55.88 5
5 Smith, Adam Camp Hill 1:55.95 4
6 Gordon, Matt Upper Dublin 1:55.98 3
7 Hall, Matt Downingtown East 1:56.21 2
8 McNally, Rob Upper Darby 1:57.01 1
9 Brown, Max North Allegheny 1:57.31
10 Brodsky, Mike Unionville 1:57.74
11 Edling, Cody North Penn 1:58.30
12 Epple, Zac Altoona Area 1:58.38
13 Burns, Griffin Mercersburg 1:58.70
14 Browne, Dan Conestoga 1:59.39
15 Hurley, Mike Penn Wood 1:59.82
Hannon vs 2nd Place
To be absolutely clear, Bradford senior Erin Hannon does have a national championship. She won the Nike Indoor Nationals in the High Jump in 2005. But inside Pennsylvania – and while competing at a high level since her sophomore year – she has seen more than her share of second places.
That run is over. Times two.
Erin Hannon, Bradford
In her sophomore year, Hannon finished second in the AAA Triple Jump at the PIAA Outdoor Championships to another then-sophomore, Rachel Gehret of Altoona. Last year at the PTFCA Indoor State Meet, she had the dubious honor of taking 2nd three times. And all three to the same competitor, Nicole Smith of McDowell. The events were the High Jump, the Long Jump and the Triple Jump. And she lost the High Jump on a jump off after both cleared 5-10.
At outdoor states she added one more 2nd place. Again to Nicole Smith. Hannon was unknowingly competing on a broken leg. But she did finish ahead of Gehret this time.
On to 2006. Hannon came into her final PTFCA Indoor state meet as the top seed in the High Jump, and the 2nd seed in both the Long and Triple Jumps. She also had posted a PR this season in the 60 Hurdles. That new-found speed in the hurdles would mean she would start her day with at least two rounds of that event... plus the Long Jump. In the hurdles, she had a ton of competition. In the Long Jump, it was emerging star Ryann Krais of Methacton. In the Triple Jump in the afternoon, it would be Shanae' Thomas of Hallahan, and there were a few girls within 4" of her 5-08 seed in the High Jump.
The good news was that Hannon advanced all the way to the finals of the 60 Hurdles and wound up finishing 7th. The bad news was, she had to do that while facing Krais in the Long Jump, where she ended up taking all six jumps. So entering the Triple Jump, she had six long jumps and three 60 Meter Hurdle races. Whew!
"You have to take them all or someone will beat you. And then I had somebody on me in the Triple, so I had to take six jumps there. It happens."
So she started her day with a 2nd (18-03.25) and a 6th (9.27). The Triple Jump did prove to be the breakthrough she had been looking for. With her 38-08.50 jump, she held off Pottsgrove's Megan VanBuskirk by just 5.75".
Then it was on to the High Jump. Now with 15 all-out efforts behind her, the legs were getting weary. She and Seneca Valley's Da 'Lynn Mills both cleared 5-04 before Hannon found one last jump to make it over 5-06 for the win. "I wanted to jump higher, but there was nothing left."
Hannon was finally over the state title hurdle. "It exceeded my expectations. I am finally leaving with four medals."
Now it's on to the Nike Team Nationals and her second-ever Pentathlon, an event she won in late January at Bucknell University in a college meet. "I have a little more confidence now. I still have a lot of areas to work on, like the shot put and building my endurance a little bit for the 800. But I'm ready."
With nationally elite marks in the Long, Triple and High Jumps, Hannon is undecided on event choice for the Penn Relays.