4/29 WKND: Gratz top US team in two COAs, Redemption for WC | Hostetler 213-04 @ Breslin (PIX)

Khaliff Featherstone anchored both top American 4x400 and 4x800 relays.

13 Photo Galleries by Don Rich of the 4/27-29 Penn Relays Carnival @ Franklin Field, University of Pennsylvania

Photo Gallery by James Wood of the 4/28 Mars Invitational @ Mars High School

Four Photo Galleries by Carl Strub of the 4/29 McDowell Invitational @ McDowelll High School

Click here for results from the Penn Relays

Weekly Highlights by day:

MONDAY-TUESDAY 4/24-25: 4/24: Philadelphia Public League Relays @ Germantown HS:

WEDNESDAY 4/26: 4/26: Midwestern Athletic Conference @ Mars HS:Lindsay Dolan, Center, 14.4 100H, 2nd in the Triple Jump *35-05.50), 4th in the High Jump *5-0), and 5th in the 300 Hurdles (48.9). Tuning up for the Penn Relays 3000, Ellwood City's Jake Walker cruised to a 4:18.0 1600. Center's Allyn Laughlin warmed up for her Penn Relays with a 48-10 Shot Put win, and doubled back for a 124-04 Discus. Riverside's Veres Denes went 60-10 to win the boys' Shot Put, and sent the disc 152-03.

4/26: Tri-State Invitational @ Clear Spring HS MD: Boys: Jordan Donaldson, Tussey Mountain, 50.8 (2:01.6) double; Travis Hoover, Northern Bedford, 13-06 PV; Girls: Catya Gilbert, Northern Bedford, 36-03.50 SP.

THURSDAY-SATURDAY 4/27-29:

4/27: Cougar Middle School Invitational @ Springfield HS: RESULTS POSTED

4/27-29: Penn Relays Carnival @ University of Pennsylvania: CLICK FOR THURSDAY SELECT PIX
CLICK FOR FRIDAY SELECT PIX
CLICK FOR SATURDAY SELECT PIX

PODCAST INTERVIEWS ARE POSTED
PHOTO GALLERIES FINISHED ON WEDNESDAY

Penn Relays Saturday PA Summary:

A big day for Simon Gratz as they are the best American team in both the 4x800 and 4x400 Championships of America. Anchor Khaliff Featherstone passed North Penn's Cody Edling on the final straightaway in the 4x800. Gratz (Derrick Davis, Devin Summerville, Darryl Davis, Khaliff Featherstone) and North Penn (Zack Montijo, Phil Wright, Justin Bookheimer, Cody Edling) finish 2-3 in 7:45.66 and 7:46.38, respectively. Jamaica's Holmwood Tech won in 7:43.35. Gratz then came back just over two hours later to take 4th in the 4x400 Championship of America in 3:14.55 (Derrick Davis (50.1), Kevin Talley (48.4), Kenneth Talley (49.0), Khaliff Featherstone (47.2)) behind three Jamaican teams. In the Triple Jump, Lancaster McCaskey's Ceasar Westbrook leapt 47-05.75 to finish 2nd. He told Dyestat's Steve Underwood that it was the atmosphere that helped his performance. "You use the crowd for motivation, energy, and adrenaline. It helped me go all the way through." Jared Jodon of Laurel Highlands, outlasted the wind and pressure to clear 15-05 and finish 2nd in the Pole Vault. Jason Inzana of Daniel Boone was tied for 5th with his 14-03.25 leap. Upper Darby's Dominic Asby cleared 6-09 and was 2nd in the High Jump, while Parkland's Tyrone Faverey leapt 6-05 for 5th place. Adam Thielemann of Cumberland Valley threw 171-02 to take 3rd in the Discus. The West Catholic girls won the Tri-State 4x100 in 47.88. In the Long Jump, Bonner's Michael Tomasco was the top PA athlete, finishing 8th with a 22-01 leap. Not to be lost was the 3:17.36 that Cumberland Valley ran in their 4x400 late Saturday morning.

Penn Relays Friday PA Summary:

Ellwood City senior Jake Walker captured 3rd in 8:21.94 to take 3rd place behind Matt Centrowitz, MD (8;20.09) and Craig Forys NJ (8:21.82). In the morning, Upper Dublin, North Penn, West Chester East, Cardinal O'Hara and Simon Gratz qualified for Saturday's 4x800 Championship of America. Top splits came from Upper Dublins's Matt Gordon (1:53.4 anchor), Upper Dublin's Kurt Henning, (1:56.1 2nd leg), North Penn's Phil Wright (1:56.3 2nd leg), Simon Gratz's Khaliff Featherstone (1:56.3 anchor), and Cardinal O'Hara's Ed Buck (1:56.4 3rd leg). At the Javelin, the top two seeds went 2-3. Selinsgrove's Jeff Hostetler went 192-10, while LaSalle's Brian Moore thre 191-00 for 3rd. In the Discus, Susquehanna Township's Caitlyn Green was 7th with a throw of 122-09. Holilidaysburg's Jennifer McConnell was 8th with a 122-05 throw. West Catholic's luck went from so-so to bad as the 3rd and 4th legs of the Small Schools Championship race failed to connect, causing a dropped baton. They'll try again tomorrow in the Philadelphia Area 4x400 Championship. Four PA boys' teams qualified for the 4x100 Large Schools Championships race, including Harrisburg, North Penn, Simon Gratz, and Martin Luther King of Philadelphia. No PA boys' teams qualified for either the Small Schools or COA 4x100's. In the boys' Shot Put, Glen Mill's Nathan Stewart was 3rd with a throw of 56-08, while North Allegheny's Garrett Larkin was 5th with a throw 54-04.50. Wissahickon held the lead in the DMR at the start of the Mile leg, but finished 6th in 10:15.19. (Splits: Doug Maisey (3:07.8), Kevin Bray (49.4), Jordon Hill (1:54.9), Paul Thistle (4:23.1). West Chester Henderson was 9th in 10:17.87. In the Mile, Wallenpaupack's Kevin Sives was the top PA finisher, taking 10th in 4:18.73. West Chester East's Duriel Hardy was 11th in 4:19.29 and Springfield Montco's Matlack Gillin was 12th in 4:19.75. Manheim Township's Craig Miller did not start for undisclosed reasons.

Penn Relays Thursday PA Summary:

It was a day of big PRs, renewal and some disappointment for PA high school athletes. We were greeted with the best weather the Penn Relays has offered in years. Sunny, comfortable, and light winds. Probably the biggest surprise of the day was the West Catholic 4x400 Relay. The team had hoped to qualify for their 4th consecutive Championship of America, but with no leg below 58 seconds among the opening three, anchor Latavia Thomas would have needed a miracle to make up the time. The team will run in the Philadelphia Area 4x400 Championship. On the day, Methacton's Ryann Krais was credited with a 54.8 split, while West Catholic's Latavia Thomas was credited with a 54.9 split her 4x400. The West Catholic 4x100 advanced to the Tri-State Championship. Coming off an injury, and just beginning to train full-throttle, senior Lindsay Regan of Easton won her 2nd Penn Relays Pole Vault title clearing 12-08.00. Regan looked relaxed and confident, despite the missed training, and cleared the record on her third attempt. Liberty's Beki Finn tied for 2nd, clearing 11-08. Easton's Abbi Schaeffer also cleared 11-08, but took 4th on misses. The Shot Put came down to the final throw, as Center's Allyn Laughlin launched a put of 48-10. This is just a day after she threw 49-10 at a conference meet in western PA, then jumped in the car, travelled seven hours, and pulled out the win. She'll compete on Saturday back in western PA. Penncrest's Karen Shump threw 43-03.25 to finish 4th. In the Javelin, PA went 2-3-4-5. Chambersburg's Lorraine Hill PRed by 11 FEET to take 2nd with a 146-11. Defending champ Elisha Jones of Eisenhower took 3rd at 146-04. Palmyra's Meghan Briggs was 3rd with a throw of 141-10. And Archbishop Wood's Julia Dougherty was 4th with a 133-09 throw. Defending High Jump champRachel Gehret of Altoona, finished 5th, clearing 5-05.75. PA's top finisher in the Long Jump was Upper Darby's Bintou Dibba who leapt 17-01.50. In the Triple Jump, Pottsgrove's Megan VanBuskirk leapt 36-11.75. Methacton's Ryann Krais finished 4th in the 400 Hurdles in 1:00.11, just .03 over her PR set last summer in AAU competiton. In the 4x800, Central Bucks West, West Chester Henderson and Gwynedd-Mercy advance to the Championship of America 4x800. CB West's Anna Aagenes ran the 7th fastest split, going 2;15.1. Kerry Swayne, Hatboro-Horsham, wplit 2:14.4, the 4th best on the day. North Penn's Erin Berg ran 2:16.6. Conestoga anchor Liz Costello got the baton near the back of the Invitational Distance Medley Relay, and nearly pulled off a medal, moving into 5th for a few meters before being passed over the final 20 by the Vere Technical (Jamaica) anchor. In the 3000, St. Basil's Kathleen Davis finished 14th in 10:14.31. There were no PA competitors in the Mile after Chambersburg's Sarah Morrison was a scratch because of her missed training from mono.

4/28: WAHS Invitational (formerly ASD) @ William Allen HS: Girls: Brianna Broyles, William Allen, 14.6 100H, 25.1200, 42.9 300H; Marci Sobrinski, Allentown Central Catholic, 5:05.2 1600; Danielle Werley, Parkland, 11:20.1 3200; Lindsay Regan, Easton, 12-00 PV; Boys: Andy Fahringer, Whitehall, 164-05 DT, 186-11 JT; Brian Cullin, East Stroudsburg South, 9:30.2 3200; Phil Rector, Allentown Central Catholic, 1:57.3-Eric Yeager, Bethlehem Catholic, 1:57.6; Rushane Scott, William Allen, 10.7 100, 21.9 200.

4/28: Breslin Relays @ Mount Carmel HS: A few hours after taking 2nd at the Penn Relays in the Javelin, Selinsgrove's Josh Hostetler hit a much bigger series of throws at Mount Carmel HS, going 197'10", 211' 6" and an even bigger PR of 213'4", which is US#1.

4/28: Dallastown Invitational @ Dallastown HS: GIRLS: Jamie Maloney, Dallastown 15.7 100H-47.0 300H; William Penn 50.5-Central York 50.6-Southwestern 50.6 4x100; BOYS: Jon Grey-Matt Grey Kennard-Dale, 4:29.1-4:29.7/9:28.1-9:45.6 double double;

4/28: Damian Fain Invitational @ Somerset HS:

4/28: Diocesan Invitational @ Lancaster Catholic HS: ELITE MARKS POSTED ONLY.

4/28: Lady Hatter Classic @ Hatboro-Horsham HS:

4/28: Mars Invitational @ Mars HS: GIRLS: A day after her win at the Penn Relays, Allyn Laughlin was back across the state and throwing over 49' again (must be the western air), going 49-01. That made a three-day 49-10, 48-10, 49-01 following her 50-footer the week before. She also threw the Discus 127-02. Lara Montecalvo Washington 17-07.50 LJ; Mount Lebanon 9;41.6 4x800; Six girls under 11:50 for 3200 behind Zaritza Petrova Mount Lebanon in 11:29.5; The 100 Hurdles was a match-up with two talented veterans and a sophomore with a fast family tradition. Center's Lindsay Dolan won the race in 14.1, but had everything she could handle from Quaker Valley sophomore Christa Rogers (yes, the little sister of the current AA state record-holder Jasmine Rogers.) Christa was 2nd in 14.3, with Pine-Richland's Terhea Doaty 3rd in 14.3. Quaker Valley coach Bill Viccari says Dolan pulled away late for her win. Doaty was 2nd in the Triple Jump *35-05.50), 4th in the High Jump *5-0), and 5th in the 300 Hurdles (48.9). BOYS: Toney Clemons Valley, 14.3 100H, 21-07 LJ; Lucas Zarzeczny Northgate, 4:20.2 1600, 9:36.3 3200.

4/28: Pine Grove Invitational @ Pine Grove HS:

4/28: Tunkhannock JR. High Rotary Relays @ Tunkhannock HS: RESULTS POSTED

4/28-29: Washington-Greene County Coaches Meet @ Canon McMillan HS: GIRLS: Brianna Liebold Chartiers Houston, 18-04.50 LJ, 37-05.50 TJ. BOYS:Robert Heller, Ringgold, 22.25 200, 50.36 400, 10.95 (3rd) 100.

4/28: Wyalusing Ram Invitational @ Wyalusing HS: GIRLS: Jimmyh Chadwick Wyalusing Valley, 11.18 100, 23.04p 200; Jason Naugle Wyalusing, 21-02.75 LJ, 43-01.25 TJ. GIRLS: Melissa Miller, Athens, 12.44 100, 26.28 200, 59.65 400; Dallas 9:37.8 4x800; Lisa Giacometti Dallas, 11:32.50 3200.

4/29: 3rd Unionville Invitational @ Unionville HS: Tiera Flowers Coatesville, 12.41 100, 26.46 200; Katie Shelley Clumbia, 5:11.56 1600; Amber Koon, Coateville, 15.85 100H, 47.87 300H; Katie Brower Downingtown West, 17-10.75 LJ, 36-11 TJ; Kaleena Gray Coatesville, 41-08 SP, 115-11 DT. BOYS: Jeremy Hicks Dover, 21-02.50 LJ, 40.19 300H. Dawson (Kyle or Owen?) Coatesville, 9:18.58 3200; Owen Dawson 1:58.82 800.

4/29: 82nd Westmoreland County Coaches T&F @ Latrobe HS: GIRLS: Lauren Donahoe Greensburg Central Catholic, 12.7, 25.6 (3rd), 5-02; Diana Filtz Penn-Trafford, 5:06.5 1600, 11:21.6 3200; Samantha Fetter Hempfield, 43-06 SP, Leah Ulizio Kiski Area, 131-04 JT. BOYS: Jay Obstarczyk Latrobe, 10.8 and 22.1 2nd in 200. Mychal Skinner Kiski Area, 10.9 2nd and a win in the 200 in 22.8. Tony Clemons, Valley, 14.6 110H, 21-05 LJ. Garner McCloud Kiski Area, 45-06.50 TJ. Wes Banks Hempfield, 59-04.25, 163-06 DT.

4/29: Erie McDowell Invitational @ Erie McDowell HS: GIRLS: Erin Hannon,, Bradford, 15.1 100H, 5-05 HJ, 17-07.50 LJ, 37-07 TJ; Nicole Wilson Iroquois, 134-00 DT, Natalie Clickett, Union City 131-05 - 43-00.50 SP; Elisha Jones, Eisenhower, 133-06.50; Sarah Lonzi, Bradford, 11:19.2 3200, Lauren Zarger, Harborcreek, 11:23.7; Kaitlin Grimm, Penn Hills, 5:07.0 - Lonzi 2nd in 5:16.5, Zarger 3rd 5:18.5. BOYS: McDowell's Emanuel Overare leapt 45-05 in the TJ. Central Dauphin's Justin Shirk was alone at 193-09.50 in the Javelin. Teammate Andrew Rotz ran 1:j55.9 to take the 800.

4/27: 1st Boiling Springs Middle School Invitational @ Boiling Springs HS: RESULTS POSTED

4/29: Fairfield Invitational @ Fairfield HS:

4/29: Fayette County Track & Field Championships @ Laurel Highlands HS: The Breehana Jacobs show tuned up for bigger things with some very quick times for a county meet, gong 11.8 in the 100, 24.5 for 200 and 55.6 in the one-lapper. Her school's 4x100 ran 52.0 without her help, but she did anchor the 4x400 which finished in 4:08. Connellsville's Rodney Richter took the Discus with a 153-02 throw and the Shot Put, going 49-06. Teammate Lance Straughters ran 10.9 for the 100.

4/29: LHU High School Classic @ Lock Haven University: Casey Miller of Lewisburg must like the LHU track. She keeps winning. Her 5:06.44 was over two sections better than Central Cambria's Carly Seymour. Seymour did win the 3200 in 11:07.40. Frank Ehrensberger, Elk County Catholic, went 22.82 and 50.57 for the 200 and 400 double. Dan King, his teammate, won the Long and Triple Jumps with 21-04.25 and 44-11.75 performances. And Danville's Travis Miller went 199-00.50 in the Javelin.

4/29: Springfield (Delco) Invitational @ Springfield (Delco) HS: Starting her fine-tuning for the championship portion of the season, Penncrest pitcher-thrower Karen Shump threw the shot 45-04.50, her best of the outdoor season. Academy Park's Delliah Badgett doubled in 12.2 and 25.1. William Tennent's Kayle Hennessy captured the 100 and 300 Hurdles in 15.1 and 46.0. Upper Darby's Bintou Dibba was her usual winning self, going 16-02.75 and 34-02.50 for the jump double. Jermain Lowery, Academy Park, won the 110 Hurdles (14.5 prelim) and the 300 Hurdles in 38.5.

4/29: Thomas Jefferson Invitational @ Thomas Jefferson HS:

4/29: Tunkhannock Rotary Relays @ Tunkhannock HS: 4/29: Tunkhannock Rotary Relays @ Tunkhannock HS: Boys: Wyoming Valley 44.6 4x100; Pittston 1:39.9 SMR; Girls: Tunkhannock, 1:16.8 Shuttle Hurdle, 52.8 4x100.

4/29: Waverly Invitational @ Waverly NY HS:

4/29: ELCO Junior High Invitational @ Eastern Lebanon HS: RESULTS POSTED

THURSDAY SELECT PIX

Lindsay Regan clears 12-08.00 to raise her Penn Relays record and win her 2nd title.

Ally Laughlin needed a final throw of 48-10 to win her title.

Ryann Krais took 4th in the 400 Hurdles in 1:00.11.

Liz Kearins anchors CB West to a 9:13.09. They join
West Chester Henderson and Gwynedd-Mercy in the COA.

Lorraine Hill launches her 146-11 for 2nd, a PR by 11 feet.

Defending champ Elisha Jones is 3rd with a 146-04 throw.

Julie Dougherty 5th, Meghan Briggs 4th, Lorraine Hill 2nd, Elisha Jones 3rd.
Frances Koons in the leadoff leg of Villanova's winner DMR.
She split 3:23. (Photo by Tim O'Dowd, Irishrunner.com)

FRIDAY SELECT PIX

Ellwood City's Jake Walker is 3rd in 8:21.94.

Keith Capecci, Council Rock North, is 4th in 8:27.22 in the 3000.

Josh Hostetler, Selinsgrove, 2nd with 192-10.

Brian Moore, LaSalle, 191-00 for 3rd.

Susquehanna's Caitlyn Green, 7th with a 122-09..

Matt Gordon had the 3rd best split in the AM 4x800's at 1:53.4.

North Penn's Phil Wright split 1:56.3.

Khaliff Featherstone, Simon Gratz, split 1:56.3.

Cardinal O'Hara's Ed Buck split 1:56.4.

Upper Dublin's 3rd leg.

West Catholic's exchange goes awry in the Small Schools 4x100.

Wissahickon was leading heading into the final leg, but finished 6th.

Wallenpaupack's Kevin Sives (17) was the top PA finisher in the Mile.

Gwynedd-Mercy was the top 4x800 COA finisher for PA,
getting 4th in 9:11.44. (photo by Irishrunner.com)

SATURDAY SELECT PIX

Khaliff Featherstone chases Cody Edling at the start of the final leg of the 4x800 COA.

Featherstone catched Edling for 2nd at the line.

Upper Darby's Dominic Asby cleared 6-09 for 2nd.

Jared Jodon of Laurel Highlands, outlasted the wind and pressure to clear 15-05 and finish 2nd.

Adam Thielemann of Cumberland Valley threw 171-02 to take 3rd.

Bonner's Michael Tomasco was the top PA athlete, finishing 8th with a 22-01 leap.

Penn Charter's Kamal Marell was 10th in the 400 Hurdles in 55.37.

West Catholic's lead-off in the Philly-area 4x400 - Simone Carter.

Kneshia Sheard (partially hidden) running on a very painful knee.

Christiana Taylor.

Latavia Thomas - race over!

Thomas' final time on the Franklin Field track as a prep athlete.