Welcome back to the PA Great 8, a weekly feature during the track season with the top 8 athletes in every state contested event with some extra statistics attached to it.
Through the 1st month of the season, PA athletes have been off to a flying start with performances cracking the national top 10 list. Through December, PA female athletes have produced two US#1s, eight US top 3s, 13 US top 5s, and 25 performances inside the national top ten!
Most of the action has been in the relays, where Swenson has been lighting up the track in the sprint relays. On December 27 at the Armory Marine Corps Invitational, Swenson ran two US#1 performances, capping off the day with a time of 1:40.62. Swenson also has run 3:58.23 on a flat track in the 4x400 meter relay for US#5. Penn Wood girls have been keeping Swenson on their toes with a state leading and US#4 3:57.74 4x400 meter relay performance from the December 15th Bishop Loughlin Games. They also have hung tough in the 4x200 meter relay, finishing 2nd behind Swenson at Marine Corps with a US#3 time of 1:42.69. For distance relays, PA has half of the top ten national spots in the distance medley relay led by a 12:30.5 performance from Great Valley on December 14. Central Bucks East, Downingtown East, Haverford, Cardinal O'Hara, and Strath Haven have all broken 12:50 in the early going. Meanwhile four teams have broken 9:50 in the 4x800 meter relay led by the two time defending indoor 4x800 meter champions Strath Haven (US#3 9:38.65). State College has a US#4 time of 9:40.8 with a minute plus margin of victory.
Individually, the best events on the track this season have been the 3000 meter run and the 60 meter hurdles. The 3000 meter run is congested at the top with three girls under 10:30 led by AAA cross country runner up Marissa Sheva of Pennridge (10:27.29 on December 20). Inter-Ac cross country champion Jamie Costarino of Springside (10:29.33) and 2011 Catholic League 3000 meter champion Teresa Ortiz of St Hubert's (10:29.57) all broke 10:30 with Sheva in the same race. The 60 meter hurdles features a lot of returning talent from last season. Amy Hicks of Swenson has come flying out of the gate this season with her US#3 mark of 8.99 from the Burdette Classic last Friday. Swenson have three of the top seven PA performances this season. Amongsts all the returning veterans, sophomore Ciara Leonard of Cheltenham has soared to PA#2 with her December 14 mark of 9.10, leading runners such as Markeeta Thomas and Tichina Rhodes of Swenson, and 2012 silver medalist Kayla Coley of Cheltenham. Swenson also has the state leader in the 400 meter dash (Imani Harris-Quillen 59.16), while Taylor Williams now of Hatboro Horsham leads the state in the 60 (7.69) and 200 meter dashes (US#3 25.42).
In the field events, some familiar faces have soared to the top of the state list early on. Megan McCloskey of Germantown Academy opened up the 2012 season with a national leading 5-8 high jump mark at Lehigh's newly renovated indoor facility. 2012 indoor long jump and triple jump silver medalist Diamond Hodge of Girls High has a 17-7 long jump mark to her name from the Christmas City Relays over the weekend. Amanda Benninghoff of Council Rock South and Kennedy Shank of Northern have cleared 11-3 in the pole vault to top the state. A one-on-one dual may be shaping up in the shot put. Emily Stauffer of Cocalico leads the state with a mark of 39-9 back in November, but Tyra Roberts of Bensalem threw 39-7 on December 20 to keep the heat on.
| 1. | 7.20 | Taylor Williams | PA Hatboro Horsham | 2014 | 12/01/2012 | Fairleigh Dickinson Patch Track Meet |
| 2. | 7.40 | Kiana Farrar | PA Easton Area | 2013 | 12/19/2012 | Hill School Invitational |
| 3. | 7.45 | Rowanna Watson | PA Norristown | 2013 | 12/15/2012 | Bishop Loughlin Games |
| 4. | 7.48p | Rose Roesler | PA Carlisle | 2013 | 12/15/2012 | Dickinson College HS Invitational #1 |
| 5. | 7.50 | Cheyanne Brown | PA William Penn | 2014 | 12/15/2012 | Dickinson College HS Invitational #1 |
| 6. | 7.54 | Ciara Lilly | PA J.P. McCaskey | 2013 | 12/14/2012 | Franklin & Marshall HS Season Opener Meet #1 |
| 7. | 7.57 | Zayna Milligan | PA Norristown | 2013 | 12/19/2012 | Hill School Invitational |
| 8. | 7.59 | Alexis Bell | PA Norristown | 2013 | 12/15/2012 | Bishop Loughlin Games |
| 1. |
7.69 |
Taylor Williams | PA Hatboro Horsham | 2014 | 12/26/2012 | Armory Open/Masters Sprint Night |
| 2. | 7.79 | Jody-Ann Evans | PA Quakertown | 2013 | 12/08/2012 | DVGTCA Indoor Meet #1 |
| 3. |
7.80p |
Amani Nesmith | PA Swenson Arts & Technology | 2013 | 12/28/2012 | Robert J. Burdette Indoor Classic |
| 4. | 7.84hp | Jameela Muhammad | PA Swenson Arts & Technology | 2016 | 12/08/2012 | DVGTCA Indoor Meet #1 |
| 5. | 7.88 | Katelyn Jackson | PA Springside School | 2014 | 12/14/2012 | DVGTCA Indoor Meet #2 |
| 6. |
7.90p |
Angelica Gonzalez | PA Red Lion | 2015 | 12/29/2012 | Wm. H. Emrey Christmas City Relays |
| 7. | 7.93 | Amy Hicks | PA Swenson Arts & Technology | 2013 | 12/14/2012 | DVGTCA Indoor Meet #2 |
| 8. | 7.94 | Taylor Chapman | PA Pennridge | 2015 | 12/08/2012 | DVGTCA Indoor Meet #1 |
| 9. | 7.94h | Niara Valentine | PA State College Area High School | 2014 | 12/20/2012 | State College HS Invitational #1 |
| 1. |
25.42p |
Taylor Williams | PA Hatboro Horsham | 2014 | 12/22/2012 | Armory Youth Holiday Classic |
| 2. | 26.00 | Katelyn Jackson | PA Springside School | 2014 | 12/08/2012 | DVGTCA Indoor Meet #1 |
| 3. |
26.07 |
Imani Harris-Quillen | PA Swenson Arts & Technology | 2013 | 12/28/2012 | Robert J. Burdette Indoor Classic |
| 4. | 26.25p | Jenny Bellefleur | PA Parkway Northwest HS | 2015 | 12/22/2012 | Armory Youth Holiday Classic |
| 5. | 26.34h | Niara Valentine | PA State College Area High School | 2014 | 12/20/2012 | State College HS Invitational #1 |
| 6. |
26.47 |
Zhane Williams | PA Coatesville | 2014 | 12/28/2012 | Robert J. Burdette Indoor Classic |
| 7. |
26.52 |
Miah Collins | PA Simon Gratz | 2013 | 12/28/2012 | Robert J. Burdette Indoor Classic |
| 8. | 26.53 | Jody-Ann Evans | PA Quakertown | 2013 | 12/14/2012 | DVGTCA Indoor Meet #2 |
| 1. | 59.16 | Imani Harris-Quillen | PA Swenson Arts & Technology | 2013 | 12/14/2012 | DVGTCA Indoor Meet #2 |
| 2. | 59.51 | Caela Williams | PA Penn Wood | 2013 | 12/20/2012 | DVGTCA Indoor Meet #3 |
| 3. | 59.65 | Husniyyah Rogers | PA Pennsbury | 2015 | 12/20/2012 | DVGTCA Indoor Meet #3 |
| 4. | 1:00.03 | Brooklynn Broadwater | PA Springside School | 2016 | 12/08/2012 | DVGTCA Indoor Meet #1 |
| 5. |
1:00.42 |
Tichina Rhodes | PA Swenson Arts & Technology | 2013 | 12/28/2012 | Robert J. Burdette Indoor Classic |
| 6. | 1:00.51 | Nicole Burke | PA Upper Dublin | 2015 | 12/08/2012 | DVGTCA Indoor Meet #1 |
| 7. | 1:00.61 | Allison Sharkey | PA Cardinal O Hara | 2013 | 12/08/2012 | DVGTCA Indoor Meet #1 |
| 8. | 1:00.73 | Jenny Bellefleur | PA Parkway Northwest HS | 2015 | 12/22/2012 | Armory Youth Holiday Classic |
| 1. | 2:17.62 | Emma Keenan | PA Gwynedd-Mercy Academy | 2013 | 12/20/2012 | DVGTCA Indoor Meet #3 |
| 2. | 2:17.84 | Sara Sargent | PA Pennsbury | 2013 | 12/14/2012 | DVGTCA Indoor Meet #2 |
| 3. | 2:19.45 | Natalie Deacon | PA West Chester Henderson | 2013 | 12/20/2012 | DVGTCA Indoor Meet #3 |
| 4. | 2:20.48 | Nicole Hajnik | PA Great Valley | 2013 | 12/08/2012 | DVGTCA Indoor Meet #1 |
| 5. | 2:21.41 | Imani Harris-Quillen | PA Swenson Arts & Technology | 2013 | 12/20/2012 | DVGTCA Indoor Meet #3 |
| 6. | 2:21.68 | Marissa Cicione | PA Cardinal O Hara | 2014 | 12/14/2012 | DVGTCA Indoor Meet #2 |
| 7. | 2:22.84 | Liz Mcgroarty | PA Garnet Valley | 2014 | 12/20/2012 | DVGTCA Indoor Meet #3 |
| 8. | 2:22.99 | Stephanie Hughes | PA Villa Joseph Marie | 2014 | 12/20/2012 | DVGTCA Indoor Meet #3 |
| 1. |
5:16.08 |
Sarah Hipwell | PA Great Valley | 2015 | 12/28/2012 | Robert J. Burdette Indoor Classic |
| 2. |
5:18.20 |
Lucy Van Kleunen | PA Central | 2013 | 12/28/2012 | Robert J. Burdette Indoor Classic |
| 3. | 5:19.56 | Veronica Eder | PA Central Bucks East | 2013 | 12/14/2012 | DVGTCA Indoor Meet #2 |
| 4. | 5:19.97 | Jamie Costarino | PA Springside School | 2015 | 12/14/2012 | DVGTCA Indoor Meet #2 |
| 5. |
5:20.94 |
Nicole Buehrle | PA Hazleton Area | 2015 | 12/28/2012 | Robert J. Burdette Indoor Classic |
| 6. | 5:21.50 | Amy Kelly | PA Cardinal O Hara | 2014 | 12/14/2012 | DVGTCA Indoor Meet #2 |
| 7. | 5:22.44 | Liz Mcgroarty | PA Garnet Valley | 2014 | 12/14/2012 | DVGTCA Indoor Meet #2 |
| 8. | 5:22.87 | Meredith Reiche | PA Mount Saint Joseph Academy | 2013 | 12/14/2012 | DVGTCA Indoor Meet #2 |
| 1. | 10:27.29 | Marissa Sheva | PA Pennridge | 2015 | 12/20/2012 | DVGTCA Indoor Meet #3 |
| 2. | 10:29.33 | Jamie Costarino | PA Springside School | 2015 | 12/20/2012 | DVGTCA Indoor Meet #3 |
| 3. | 10:29.57 | Teresa Ortiz | PA St. Hubert's | 2013 | 12/20/2012 | DVGTCA Indoor Meet #3 |
| 4. | 10:37.57 | Emily Fisher | PA Unionville | 2014 | 12/20/2012 | DVGTCA Indoor Meet #3 |
| 5. | 10:40.56 | Kate Scott | PA Council Rock North | 2013 | 12/08/2012 | DVGTCA Indoor Meet #1 |
| 6. | 10:41.55 | Paige Stoner | PA Pottsville Area | 2014 | 12/14/2012 | Franklin & Marshall HS Season Opener Meet #1 |
| 7. | 10:42.81 | Olivia Sargent | PA Pennsbury | 2016 | 12/20/2012 | DVGTCA Indoor Meet #3 |
| 8. | 10:47.15 | Kaitlin Poiesz | PA Central Bucks South | 2014 | 12/08/2012 | DVGTCA Indoor Meet #1 |
| 1. | 8.73 | Ericka Quenzer | PA Central Dauphin East | 2014 | 12/15/2012 | Dickinson College HS Invitational #1 |
| 2. | 8.83p | Hollister Rolls | PA Waynesboro | 2015 | 12/15/2012 | Dickinson College HS Invitational #1 |
| 3. | 8.85 | Nikki Serratore | PA Methacton | 2015 | 12/19/2012 | Hill School Invitational |
| 4. | 8.87 | Rachael DeCecco | PA Cumberland Valley | 2014 | 12/15/2012 | Dickinson College HS Invitational #1 |
| 5. | 8.89 | Quiana McIntosh | PA Pottstown | 2013 | 12/19/2012 | Hill School Invitational |
| 6. | 8.96 | Jenny Martin | PA Methacton | 2015 | 12/15/2012 | Bishop Loughlin Games |
| 7. | 9.00 | Mary Witmer | PA Ephrata | 2013 | 12/14/2012 | Franklin & Marshall HS Season Opener Meet #1 |
| 8. | 9.02p | Ashley Williams | PA Easton Area | 2014 | 12/19/2012 | Hill School Invitational |
| 1. |
8.99p |
Amy Hicks | PA Swenson Arts & Technology | 2013 | 12/28/2012 | Robert J. Burdette Indoor Classic |
| 2. | 9.10 | Ciara Leonard | PA Cheltenham | 2015 | 12/14/2012 | DVGTCA Indoor Meet #2 |
| 3. | 9.19p | Gina Lupica | PA Villa Joseph Marie | 2013 | 12/20/2012 | DVGTCA Indoor Meet #3 |
| 4. | 9.26 | Kayla Coley | PA Cheltenham | 2013 | 12/14/2012 | DVGTCA Indoor Meet #2 |
| 5. | 9.34hp | Markeeta Thomas | PA Swenson Arts & Technology | 2015 | 12/08/2012 | DVGTCA Indoor Meet #1 |
| 6. | 9.34 | Tichina Rhodes | PA Swenson Arts & Technology | 2013 | 12/20/2012 | DVGTCA Indoor Meet #3 |
| 7. |
9.36 |
Jenny Martin | PA Methacton | 2015 | 12/29/2012 | Wm. H. Emrey Christmas City Relays |
| 8. |
9.40 |
Sydnee Jacques | PA North Penn | 2013 | 12/28/2012 | Robert J. Burdette Indoor Classic |
| 1. |
1:40.62p |
PA Swenson Arts & Technology | 12/27/2012 | Marine Corps Holiday Classic |
| 2. |
1:42.69p |
PA Penn Wood | 12/27/2012 | Marine Corps Holiday Classic |
| 3. |
1:47.09p |
PA Norristown | 12/27/2012 | Marine Corps Holiday Classic |
| 4. |
1:47.14p |
PA Cheltenham | 12/27/2012 | Marine Corps Holiday Classic |
| 5. | 1:47.74 | PA Springside School | 12/14/2012 | DVGTCA Indoor Meet #2 |
| 6. |
1:48.66p |
PA Central Bucks East | 12/27/2012 | Marine Corps Holiday Classic |
| 7. | 1:48.75p | PA Methacton | 12/15/2012 | Bishop Loughlin Games |
| 8. |
1:49.34 |
PA Penncrest | 12/28/2012 | Robert J. Burdette Indoor Classic |
| 1. | 3:57.74 | PA Penn Wood | 12/15/2012 | Bishop Loughlin Games |
| 2. |
3:58.23 |
PA Swenson Arts & Technology | 12/28/2012 | Robert J. Burdette Indoor Classic |
| 3. | 4:04.47 | PA Central Bucks West | 12/20/2012 | DVGTCA Indoor Meet #3 |
| 4. | 4:07.41 | PA Pennsbury | 12/14/2012 | DVGTCA Indoor Meet #2 |
| 5. | 4:09.46 | PA Penncrest | 12/20/2012 | DVGTCA Indoor Meet #3 |
| 6. |
4:10.13 |
PA Cardinal O Hara | 12/29/2012 | Wm. H. Emrey Christmas City Relays |
| 7. | 4:10.68 | PA Strath Haven | 12/14/2012 | DVGTCA Indoor Meet #2 |
| 8. | 4:11.35 | PA Paul Robeson School for Human Services | 12/20/2012 | DVGTCA Indoor Meet #3 |
| 1. | 9:38.65 | PA Strath Haven | 12/20/2012 | DVGTCA Indoor Meet #3 |
| 2. | 9:40.80 | PA State College Area High School | 12/20/2012 | State College HS Invitational #1 |
| 3. | 9:44.97 | PA Central Bucks West | 12/20/2012 | DVGTCA Indoor Meet #3 |
| 4. |
9:49.87 |
PA St. Hubert's | 12/27/2012 | Marine Corps Holiday Classic |
| 5. | 9:52.50 | PA Downingtown East | 12/08/2012 | DVGTCA Indoor Meet #1 |
| 6. | 9:53.27 | PA Unionville | 12/20/2012 | DVGTCA Indoor Meet #3 |
| 7. | 9:53.69 | PA Council Rock North | 12/08/2012 | DVGTCA Indoor Meet #1 |
| 8. | 9:54.70 | PA Mount Saint Joseph Academy | 12/08/2012 | DVGTCA Indoor Meet #1 |
| 1. | 12:30.50 | PA Great Valley | 12/14/2012 | DVGTCA Indoor Meet #2 |
| 2. |
12:37.04 |
PA Central Bucks East | 12/27/2012 | Marine Corps Holiday Classic |
| 3. | 12:43.30 | PA Haverford Township HS | 12/14/2012 | DVGTCA Indoor Meet #2 |
| 4. | 12:43.40 | PA Downingtown East | 12/14/2012 | DVGTCA Indoor Meet #2 |
| 5. |
12:47.26 |
PA Cardinal O Hara | 12/29/2012 | Wm. H. Emrey Christmas City Relays |
| 6. | 12:47.50 | PA Strath Haven | 12/14/2012 | DVGTCA Indoor Meet #2 |
| 7. | 12:50.80 | PA North Penn | 12/14/2012 | DVGTCA Indoor Meet #2 |
| 8. | 12:55.50 | PA Central Bucks West | 12/14/2012 | DVGTCA Indoor Meet #2 |
| 1. | 17-7 | Diamond Hodge | PA Girls' High | 2013 | 12/08/2012 | DVGTCA Indoor Meet #1 |
| 2. | 17-3.5 | Rose Roesler | PA Carlisle | 2013 | 12/15/2012 | Dickinson College HS Invitational #1 |
| 3. |
17-1.25 |
Julia Reeves | PA Springside School | 2016 | 12/29/2012 | Wm. H. Emrey Christmas City Relays |
| 4. | 17-1 | Yuwen Michelson | PA Strath Haven | 2013 | 12/08/2012 | DVGTCA Indoor Meet #1 |
| 5. |
17-1 |
Ariana Przybylowski | PA Pennridge | 2015 | 12/29/2012 | Wm. H. Emrey Christmas City Relays |
| 6. | 16-9 | Ellie Pollock | PA Avon Grove | 2013 | 12/20/2012 | DVGTCA Indoor Meet #3 |
| 7. | 16-7.5 | Holly Sullivan | PA Owen J. Roberts | 2014 | 12/15/2012 | Bishop Loughlin Games |
| 8. | 16-4.5 | Kayla Coley | PA Cheltenham | 2013 | 12/20/2012 | DVGTCA Indoor Meet #3 |
| 1. | 36-10 | Nikki Serratore | PA Methacton | 2015 | 12/15/2012 | Bishop Loughlin Games |
| 2. |
35-11 |
Alexandra Heuer | PA Boyertown | 2014 | 12/28/2012 | Robert J. Burdette Indoor Classic |
| 3. |
35-7.25 |
Mary Witmer | PA Ephrata | 2013 | 12/29/2012 | Wm. H. Emrey Christmas City Relays |
| 4. | 34-11 | Sydnee Jacques | PA North Penn | 2013 | 12/08/2012 | DVGTCA Indoor Meet #1 |
| 5. |
34-10.75 |
Ashley Rankine | PA Upper Darby | 2014 | 12/28/2012 | Robert J. Burdette Indoor Classic |
| 6. |
34-8 |
Aghina Marshall | PA Methacton | 2015 | 12/29/2012 | Wm. H. Emrey Christmas City Relays |
| 7. | 34-7 | Diamond Hodge | PA Girls' High | 2013 | 12/20/2012 | DVGTCA Indoor Meet #3 |
| 8. | 34-6.25 | Grace Gover | PA Penns Valley Area | 2013 | 12/20/2012 | State College HS Invitational #1 |
| 1. | 5-8 | Megan McCloskey | PA Germantown Academy | 2014 | 12/20/2012 | DVGTCA Indoor Meet #3 |
| 2. |
5-6 |
Kelley Anne Stuetz | PA Cheltenham | 2013 | 12/27/2012 | Marine Corps Holiday Classic |
| 3. | 5-4 | Claudine Andre | PA Upper Darby | 2014 | 12/08/2012 | DVGTCA Indoor Meet #1 |
| 4. | 5-4 | Rachel Kline | PA Palmyra | 2013 | 12/15/2012 | Dickinson College HS Invitational #1 |
| 5. | 5-3 | Shannon Taub | PA Council Rock South | 2015 | 12/08/2012 | DVGTCA Indoor Meet #1 |
| 6. | 5-3 | Tanise Edwards | PA Northeast HS | 2014 | 12/20/2012 | DVGTCA Indoor Meet #3 |
| 7. |
5-3 |
Casey Harewood | PA Liberty | 2014 | 12/29/2012 | Wm. H. Emrey Christmas City Relays |
| 8. | 5-2 | Michaela Hollister | PA Villa Joseph Marie | 2015 | 12/08/2012 | DVGTCA Indoor Meet #1 |
| 9. | 5-2 | Shelby Samuels | PA Conwell-Egan | 2015 | 12/14/2012 | DVGTCA Indoor Meet #2 |
| 10. | 5-2 | Erika Voyzey | PA Tyrone Area | 2016 | 12/20/2012 | State College HS Invitational #1 |
| 1. | 11-3 | Amanda Benninghoff | PA Council Rock South | 2013 | 12/14/2012 | DVGTCA Indoor Meet #2 |
| 2. |
11-3 |
Kennedy Shank | PA Northern | 2015 | 12/29/2012 | Wm. H. Emrey Christmas City Relays |
| 3. | 11-0 | Grace Reidel | PA Delone Catholic | 2015 | 12/15/2012 | Dickinson College HS Invitational #1 |
| 4. | 11-0 | Brittany Plummer | PA Kennett | 2013 | 12/14/2012 | DVGTCA Indoor Meet #2 |
| 5. | 10-9 | Amanda Young | PA Red Lion | 2013 | 12/01/2012 | VaultWorX Season Openerx |
| 6. | 10-9 | Brooke Lillis | PA Downingtown East | 2013 | 12/08/2012 | DVGTCA Indoor Meet #1 |
| 7. | 10-9 | Madison Depner | PA Trinity (3) | 2014 | 12/14/2012 | Franklin & Marshall HS Season Opener Meet #1 |
| 8. |
10-9 |
Bre Manzolillo | PA Schuylkill Valley | 2014 | 12/29/2012 | Wm. H. Emrey Christmas City Relays |
| 9. |
10-9 |
Kristin Beatty | PA Methacton | 2013 | 12/29/2012 | Wm. H. Emrey Christmas City Relays |
| 1. | 39-9 | Emily Stauffer | PA Cocalico | 2016 | 11/30/2012 | Lebanon Valley College HS Invitational #1 |
| 2. | 39-7 | Tyra Roberts | PA Bensalem | 2013 | 12/20/2012 | DVGTCA Indoor Meet #3 |
| 3. | 38-7 | Taylor Hojnacki | PA Central Bucks South | 2014 | 12/08/2012 | DVGTCA Indoor Meet #1 |
| 4. |
37-7.25 |
Macey Tanseco | PA Perkiomen Valley | 2014 | 12/28/2012 | Robert J. Burdette Indoor Classic |
| 5. | 37-5.5 | Avree Wright | PA Annville-Cleona | 2014 | 12/15/2012 | Dickinson College HS Invitational #1 |
| 6. | 37-2 | Alexandra Stevenson | PA Bethel Park | 2015 | 12/15/2012 | Dickinson College HS Invitational #1 |
| 7. |
36-4.5 |
Christine Johnson | PA North Penn | 2013 | 12/28/2012 | Robert J. Burdette Indoor Classic |
| 8. | 36-0.25 | Erin Sample | PA Nazareth Academy | 2015 | 12/08/2012 | DVGTCA Indoor Meet #1 |