SAT: Gratz takes relays+|Laughlin 50-10.75|Krais 41.46|Jacobs 11.47w|McQuillen 162-04|Miller 4:10.43
Saturday Splits by Mark Schwartz, AJ Holtzerr, Aaron Rich, Terry Lillicrapp
Erin Hannon started Bradford on the way to their 1st state
title (a tie with Strath Haven, actuallly) by winning the HJ in the rain.
Field Morning Session: Erin Hannon, the Bradford senior multi-event star, started her quest for four state medals with a big win in the AAA GIRLS HIGH JUMP, and got something else as well, her school's first state championship in Track & Field. Hannon's first miss of the competition came on her first attempt at 5-04 after returning from the 100 Hurdles Trials. She made her second, and moved on to 5-05, where she cleared on her first attempt. After two misses at 5-07, she cleared her third. She had one good look at 5-09. Hannon got halfway to her goal of four medals with a 6th place finish in the Long Jump during the afternoon session. One of the favorites in the High Jump, senior Rachel Gehret of Altoona, said she didn't know what had gone wrong, other than she had slipped during the entire competition. Gehret said she is feeling more spring in her legs now that she is focused just on the three jumps, instead of adding the 200 and its trials and semis. In the AAA GIRLS SHOT PUT, defending champion Karen Shump of Penncrest successfully repeated with a season-best of 47-06.75, coming on the first throw of the finals. She had to fend off a challenge for the second year in a row from runner-up Samantha Fetter. Fetter said she was pleased because it was a PR, but felt she could have thrown further. She was probably the only one in the group who liked the rain... "I guess I'm kind of different that way." Shump, on the other hand, had the rain to blame for the strangest foul of her career. On her very first throw, as she tucked the shot under her chin in preparation for her throw, it slipped out the back and dropped on the other side of the line. Foul. No rest for the weary though, because right after she received her award, it was off to her softball playoff game back home in Media, where she was slated to be the starting pitcher. She'll have until Saturday afternoon's Discus to recover from her busy, and rewarding Friday. Saucon Valley senior Jackie Meissner won a rain-soaked AA GIRLS POLE VAULT with a jump of 11-00. In the AA GIRLS LONG JUMP, Brianna Liebold, a Chartiers Houston senior leapt 18-02.50. In the AA BOYS TRIPLE JUMP, Delaware County Christian School sophomore Ed Roberts got off a big 46-10 jump to beat all the event favorites, including Westmont-Hilltop's Brad Kanuch, who leapt 46-01.50 for 2nd. Danville's Travis Miller had to deal with the rain as well in his AA BOYS JAVELIN competition. His throw of 192-00 was a winner by over eight feet. The top seed in the AAA BOYS DISCUS won with a throw of 166-07. Andrew Fahringer is a Whitehall junior.
Tyrone Faverey, Caesar Westbrook and John Carelli all topped 48' in the AAA TJ.
Field Afternoon Session: The board was poppin' after the rain ended in the early afternoon, and it was evident on both sides of the field with big-time jumps in the Long and Triple Jumps. AAA BOYS TRIPLE JUMP champion Caesar Westbrook said he had never seen anything like it. What IT is, is three guys in the same competition going over 48'. Champion Caesar Westbrook of JP McCaskey, said he had been pumped for today since Districts and the opportunity to jump in better weather. Lucky for him, he got the afternoon session. His throw of 48-09.75 was not only a PR, it was a school record. His main competition came from two Parkland athletes, John Carelli and Tyrone Faverey. All the action came in the prelims. Westbrook had gone 48-01, when Faverey popped one at 48-04.75. Then came Westbrook's big jump, which was followed by a 48-06.25 by Carelli. The pop was gone for the finals, but the fun of seeing three over 48' in the same flight is something to savor. Westbrook will next go to Golden West in California... "I'm not done yet. This is only states, but that is national. I can't wait for that."
Ryann Krais won a LJ title with a wind-aided 20-03.50.
The other poppin' board was the AAA GIRLS LONG JUMP where sophomore sensation Ryann Krais of Methacton literally and figuratively bounced back from the disappointment of falling in the 100 Hurdles in the morning prelims, to uncork at wind-aided 20-03.50 leap on her last jump. Just moments after completing her jump – and with eventual runner-up Rachel Gehret of Altoona applauding Krais' effort before taking her own 18-11.25 final jump – Krais had spotted a friend and was wishing them luck. Union City senior Natalie Clickett had reason to celebrate after her three-peat in the AA GIRLS DISCUS. She had a huge PR of 153-04 (over 8'), and her brother, Justin, who was a Discus state champ in 2003, witnessed the entire event. Justin had only been able to make dual meets in the past, so his presence was appreciated by his sister. Clickett credits a rededication to both physical and mental preparation for her improvement. "I came in wanting to win it more than any other year. And one of my goals was to make my brother proud, and I think I achieved that." Reynold's senior Brittany Maun had the championship in hand after clearing 5-07 in the AA GIRLS HIGH JUMP, so she did what any competitive athlete would do, go for the PIAA record. She took three cracks at 5-10. Chambersburg senior Lorraine Hill just keeps topping herself. After a 2nd place (top American) 146-11 at the Penn Relays, she threw another PR in the AAA GIRLS JAVELIN, a 157-04, a mere 5 inches shy of the PIAA record set in 2004 by Williamsport's Ruby Radocaj. In the AA BOYS POLE VAULT, it was D.J. Horton of Kane who was the only one to clear 14-00. The AA BOYS SHOT PUT was won by Connor McGee of Bald Eagle with a throw of 57-11.75.
Karen Shump repeated as AAA Shot Put champ
with a season-best of 47-06.75.
(Photo by Megan Zeller)
SPRINTS
100/110 Hurdles: In AA Girls, defending champ Lindsay Dolan of Center had the fastest qualifier at 14.58. Her main challenge will come from Milton Hershey senior Crystal Polite, Hughesville'sw Rachel Houseknecht, Northwestern's Amanda Seigworth and Saint Basil's Jessica Posimo. AAA Girls,
illustrated why they run the races. One of the favorites, sophomore Ryann Krais of Methacton, said she slipped on her first step out of the blocks and had too many steps before the 1st hurdle. She went down hard on her side, scraping her hip. But she got up and finished in an amazing 16.94. In another heat, Wilson junior Tory Toso, who is also a pole vaulter, had to hurdle another girl who had gone down. It cost her a spot... but an appeal awarded her another chance. After the 4x400's, the meet set up three lanes of hurdles, set up the starter and officials, and she was off. Into a headwind, she responded with a 15.87 to move her into the Semis on Saturday. The top qualifier was Briana Broyles of William Allen, who ran 14.64. Also under 15 were Jazmin Hunt of Reading and William Tennent's Kayle Hennessy. In AA Boys, Toney Clemons, a Valley junior, posted a 14.80. Wyalusing Valley's Jason Naugle joined him under 15 seconds with a 14.95. Defending AAA Boys champ Delon Isom of Harrisburg had the 2nd fastest qualifer at 14.33. He will get a very strong challenge this year from Chichester senior Carrington Queen, who ran 14.16. Queen posted a wind-aided 14.00 at his district meet.
300 Meter Hurdles The top times going into the semis in the AA Girls are from Ruth Brown of Milton Hershey (45.62), Crystal Polite of Milton Hershey (46.01), Amanda Seigworth of Norhtwestern (46.01), and Lindsay Dolan of Center (46.28), the defending champ. In AAA. defending champ Ryann Krais rebounded from her 100 Hurdles mishap and posted a 43.39. Brianna Broyles, the William Allen senior, is right there with here 43.32. Three AA boys went under 40 seconds, led by Brandon Tress, Bible Baptist, in 39.64. And Tobias Robinson of Cedar Crest led qualifiers in the AAA race, going 38.30.
Travis Miller started Danville off with 10 points with his 192-00 AA Jav.
(Photo by Megan Zeller)
100 Meter Dash In AA, defending champ Melissa Miller of Athens, has the same time as Boiling Springs senior mary Dell, 12.42. Devan Coon went 12.48 for Schuylkill Valley. In AAA, as expected, Breehana Jacobs of Laurel Highlands ran 11.70, faster than her winning time from last year. Clarenchell Tate, Simon Gratz, was the only other qualifier under 12 at 11.94. In AA Boys, Holy Name senior Christopher Muvdi ran 10.81. Danville's Andrew Cope ran 10.82 from another heat. The AAA guys is shaping up for a semifinal battle. Eleven went under 11 second. The fastest was in the third heat from Jamaal Flowers of Middletown.
400 Meter Dash Defending AA champ Abigail Johnson of Milton Hershey looks poised to make a run at another. Here 57.57 was the 2nd fastest qualifier, behind the 57.46 of Jill Meshey of Columbia. In AAA, Ije Iheoma, a Council Rock South sophomore, cruised to a 55.81 qualifier. Four other girls were under 57 seconds. In AA Boys, Only Mike Cadau of Mahanoy Area (49.21) and Derek Moye of Rocheters (49.70), broke 50 seconds. Reggie Carter, the Bensalem senior, is looking like ready to defend his title after a 47.90. Four boys were under 49, including Ne3shaminy's Chad Sargeant, Red Lion's Eddie Kiser, Middletown's Jamaal Flowers, and Cumberland Valley's David Stonfer.
RELAYS
Whitehall JR Andy Fahringer throws 166-07 to take the AAA Discus.
(Photo by Megan Zeller)
4x800 Meter Relay: No real surprises in the prelims. Gwynedd-Mercy and Saint Pius were both under 9:36 comfortably in AA Girls. Gwynedd is the defending champs. Joining those two Philly-area schools will be Greensburg Central Catholic, Saint Basil, Bethlehem Catholic, Susquenita, Elk Lake. Northern Cambria, Dallas, Montoursville, Saucon Valley, and Fairview. In AAA Girls, Central Bucks West looked strong in running a 9:22.30. Conestoga, anchored by Liz Costello, ran 9:25.39. Others advancing include Allentown Central Catholic, Northern York, Easton, Upper Dublin, Mars, Cedar Cliff, General McLane, Villa Maria Academy, Hatboro-Horsham, and Upper Saint Clair. For the AA Boys, two teams were in the 8:06 range, North East taking their heat in 8:06.86, and Lakeland going 8:06.65. Others in the finals are Sewickley Academy, Springfield-Montco (the defending champs), Mount Carmel, Delone Catholic, Richland, Engineering & Science, Trinity, (3), Montoursville, Wyomissing and West Middlesex. The AAA Boys race will be as hot as it was at the Penn Relays, simply because the top two American teams at the late April carnival are in this one... Simon Gratz with a 7:53.44 qualifier and North Penn at 7:54.15. But seven teams in that first heat were under 7:59, with Henderson, State College, Liberty and Chambersburg also qualifying. Bradford missed by a whisker. In the 2nd heat, Honesdale, Coatesville, Wissahickon, Upper Dublin, Susquehannock and Cumberland Valley all advance.
$x100 The top four AA Girls 4x100 qualifiers are Masterman, Milton Hershey, Quaker Valley and Lewisburg. In AAA, Penn Hills lead all qualifiers with their 48.13. Coatesville was within .03, and Simon Gratz within .3. In AA Boys, Danville (42.67) and Kutztown (42.82) are looking hot. It was cruise control for the three Districdt 12 teams, as Germantown ran 42.09, Simon Gratz 42.35 and Martin Luther King, 42.70. Throw in the Central Bucks South 42.60 and you have a great final.
4x400The AAA Boys 4x400 features several of the fast teams IN THE COUNTRY. Running their top team at the Penn Relays, Simon Gratz was the top American squad. But the art of the baton pass is key in this race, and stranger things have happened. Poised to take advantage of Gratz' clear advantage are Harrisburg, North Penn and Cumberland Valley, all of whom broke 3:20 in the prelim. In AA Girls, Milton Hershey was the only one to crack 4 at 3:58.22. The second seed is Boiling Springs with their 4:00.53, anchored by Mary Dell. The AAA Girls will be great. Conestoga improved their District 1 time in going 3:52.40. Defending champs Central Bucks West ran 3:54.54. Trinity (3) had the best time in the AA Boys at 3:25.75.
Connor McGee, Bald Eagle, wins AA Shot Put with a throw of 57-11.75
(Photo by Megan Zeller)
DISTANCE
Girls AA 1600 meter run: Emily Ingle, Tyrone, and Kacey Gibson, Neshannock, took care of business and cruised into what will be a very exciting final. Seven other runners were under 5:10, making this a very deep AA field. Girls AAA 1600 meter run: Liz Costello, Conestoga, 5:02.73, enters cruised her way to the top seed tomorrow, followed by Greater Latrobe freshman Natalie Bower, 5:03.98. On their heels were 6 runners under 5:05, making for an exciting race for 2nd place. Boys AA 1600 meter run: It took sub 4:24 to make the final of this race. Look for senior Josh Neyhart of Kutztown to cap his senior year with a state championship. Boys AAA 1600 meter run: Brad Miller will look to run into the history books tomorrow in the boys 1600. Anyone caught up in his slipstream will find a personal best waiting for them at the finish line.
Girls AA 800 meter run: Kacey Gibson is the top seed in the 800, running a 2:17.85 to qualify. On her heels are Kelly McElroy from Holy Name and Anna-Christine Scull from Milton Hershey. Girls AAA 800 meter run: Tomorrow Shaniel Chambers from Chester and Serita Lachesis from Wissahickon will battle for the win. Rachel Wong, Northern, will be close behind. Boys AA 800 meter run: Adam Smith, Camp Hill, should take care of business tomorrow and take home a state championship. Boys AAA 800 meter run: Runners to watch in this race are Andrew Rotz, Central Dauphin, Jared Weaver, Conestoga Valley, and Aaron Kauffman, Red Land.
Union City senior Natalie Clickett wins AA Discus with a huge PR of 153-04.
(Photo by Megan Zeller)
Chambersburg's Lorraine Hill throws 157-04 to win the AAA Javelin.
(Photo by Megan Zeller)