Upper Darby could challenge Merion Mercy for the AAA state title if Jannea Bridgefordkeeps the pace she has set this season. Bridgeford took the 100 in 11.98, was 2nd in the 200 in 24.54, and anchored her 4x100 team to a 1st place 47.14 in the 4x100. But she's not the only one at the top of the sprints in PA from District 1. Sophomore Krista Simpkins posted a 23.71 200 win, defeating both Bridgeford and former 200 state champ Tiffany Abney of Merion Mercy, who was 3rd in 24.79. Abney did win the 300 Hurdles in 43.88, the 400 in 56.08 and anchored her 4x400 to a 3:54.99 victory. Simpkin's 4x100 was 2nd in 47.88. In the 4x800, Haverfordwon a District title with their 4:18.58, despite one key member recovering from lost sleep after a Friday nigh prom (there were a lot of athletes at most Saturday meets with the same handicap). Hatboro-Horsham was 2nd in 9:25.39; North Penn 3rd in 9:28.04; and Downingtown 4th in 9:29.62. In AAA boys, Drew Eckman of Oxford, held off a hard-charging Tracey Robinson of Henderson, a junior, 47.53-47.64. Garnet Valley's Ryan Reeser ran 1 1:53.81 800. In the 300 Hurdles, Stath Haven's Phil Atkinson posted a 38.08. The defending state champs from North Penn served notice that the relays remain a strength, winning the 4x1000 in 42.47, the 4x400 in 3:19.88 and the 4x800 in 7:56.78. Other nationally ranked performaces included Souderton's Princeton Davis, 23-04 Long Jump; Tyree Suber, Glen Mills, 60-08 Shot Put; and Michael Whitehead, Norristown, 47-11 Triple Jump. In AA girls, Meghan Bishop, Gwynedd-Mercy, ran 5:01.63 for the 1600 win, while getting 2nd in the 800 in 2:16.17.
Other notable performances:
Boys AAA: Chris Akings, Avon Grove, 10.77 100, 21.80 200
Girls AA: Uche Ofodile, St. Pius X, 12.83 100, 25.96 200
Sherri Kowalczuk, St. Pius X, 16.63 100 Hurdles, 48.18 300 Hurdles
Boys AA: Dan Engel, Harriton, 11.08 100, 50.38 400
Mark Korich, Springfield (M), 1:57.00 800, 4:27.79 1600