Photo Galleries of the weekend action at the Penn Relays Carnival and Mars Invitational (James Wood)
Photo Gallery by James Wood of the 4/28 Mars Invitational @ Mars High School
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. North Penn took 3rd in the 4x800 as a Jamaican team won. Gratz then came back just over two hours later to take 4th in the 4x400 Championship of America behind three Jamaican teams. In the Triple Jump, Lancaster McCaskey\'s Ceasar Westbrook finished 2nd. Jared Jodon of Laurel Highlands, outlasted the wind and pressure take 2nd in the Pole Vault. Jason Inzana of Daniel Boone was tied for 5th. Upper Darby\'s Dominic Asby captured 2nd in the High Jump, while Parkland\'s Tyrone Faverey was 5th. Adam Thielemann of Cumberland Valley took 3rd in the Discus The West Catholic girls won the Tri-State 4x100. In the Long Jump, Bonner\'s Michael Tomasco was the top PA athlete, finishing 8th. 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). Jeff Hostetler, Selinsgrove, and Brian Moore, LaSalle, went 2-3 in the Javelin. In the morning, four PA boys\' teams advanced to the Large Schools 4x100 Championships. Upper Dublin, North Penn, West Chester East and Cardinal O\'Hara qualified for Saturday\'s 4x800 Championship of America. In the Discus, Susquehanna Township\'s Caitlyn Green was 7th, and Holilidaysburg\'s Jennifer McConnell was 8th. West Catholic\'s luck went from so-so to bad with a dropped baton in the Small Schools 4x100 Championship. In the boys\' Shot Put, Glen Mill\'s Nathan Stewart was 3rd while North Allegheny\'s Garrett Larkin was 5th. Matt Gordon split 1:53.4 in the AM 4x800\'s helping Upper Dublin advance to the COA. His time was the 4th best of the morning races. Wissahickon held the lead in the DMR at the start of the Mile leg, but finished 6th. West Chester Henderson was 9th. In the Mile, Wallenpaupack\'s Kevin Sives was the top PA finisher, taking 10th. West Chester East\'s Duriel Hardy was 11th and Springfield Montco\'s Matlack Gillin was 12th. Manheim Township\'s Craig Miller did not start for undisclosed reasons. 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. Penn Relays Thursday 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. Coming off an injury, and just beginning to train full-throttle, senior Lindsay Regan of Easton won her 2nd Penn Relays Pole Vault title, breaking her own Relays record. 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. Methacton\'s Ryann Krais finished 4th in the 400 Hurdles. In the 4x800, Central Bucks West, West Chester Henderson and Gwynedd-Mercy advance to the Championship of America 4x800. The Shot Put came down to the final throw, as Center\'s Allyn Laughlin launched a put over 48\' for the win. In the Javelin, PA went 2-3-4-5. Chambersburg\'s Lorraine Hill PRed by 11 FEET to take 2nd. 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. Click here for results from the Penn Relays