Photo Gallery by Don Rich of the 2/10 PTFCA Track Carnival at Lehigh University
Highlighting the weekend... On Saturday at the PTFCA TRACK CARNIVAL @ Lehigh, there were a record 120 teams, including several who traveled from across the state either to qualify for, or to fine-tune for states. The building was filled with talk of the top athletes who were on hand, with two of the boy's races attracting much of the chatter. And the girls competition boasted the presence of junior stars Ryann Krais (Methacton), Chanelle Price (Easton), Carly Seymour (Central Cambria) and Karen Shump (Penncrest). No one should have left disappointed. BOYS HIGHLIGHTS: In the much-anticipated 3000m showdown between Foot Locker Finalist Paul Springer of Unionville and Millrose Games Mile Champ Jason Weller of Boyertown, it was the well-rested Springer who pulled out an easier-than-expected win. Cheltenham's Brandon Bing is the consensus sprint star of this season, and he added to his credentials with two wins, going a PA-leading time in the 60 finals, and breaking a 2001 meet record in the 200. The boys 800 boasted a lot of talent, but with all that speed on the tight indoor turns, bumping and some stops-and-starts conspired to slow down the race. In the end, it was North Penn's Steve Franks who held off a fast-closing Corey Grove of Chambersburg. Norristown won two relays, taking the 4x200 and the 4x400, in 3:29.36. Two 60-foot shot putter squared off, and one almost got another over the magic mark on his final throw, but fouled. Chestnut Hill Academy's Wayne Crawford's 60-3 was nullified. The other 60-club member, Joe Kovacs of Bethlehem Catholic, was 2nd, with Bradford's Rob Bleem in 3rd. Three guys cleared 14-06 in the pole vault. And the high jump is shaping up to be a contest after early season indications that William Tennent's Jay Pittenger would dominate this year. GIRLS HIGHLIGHTS: Ryann Krais posted a PA #1 in the 60 hurdles and leapt nearly 19' in the long jump. She also ran anchors on the 4x200 and 4x400. Easton's girls rocked the 4x400 and 4x800 with great opening legs and killer anchors by Chanelle Price (in photo by Don Rich). They now lead the state in both the 4x400 and DMR and are #2 in the 4x800. Central Cambria's Carly Seymour came east to try to reclaim PA#1 in the 3000. But going for time when you're alone after the 2nd lap is one of the hardest things for a distance runner to accomplish. Several late laps dropped her off her pace. Karen Shump of Penncrest has been edging closer to the magic 50' shot put, but with a lot of time between her flight and the finals at this meet, top throws are harder to come by. North Penn's Stephanie McDougal, just committed to East Carolina University, set a big meet record in the pole vault. Hughesville's Rebekah Newhart cleared 5-05 to claim the high jump. Newhart is now in a three-way tie for PA#1. PHOTO GALLERY BY DON RICH OF 2/11 PTFCA TRACK CARNIVAL While a cast of thousands was putting on a show at Lehigh, Villa Maria Academy was putting on a meet in the GLEN MILLS GIRLS INVITATIONAL. Upper Darby's Bintou Tibba won two events, the long and triple jumps. Runsin's Alanna Owens put the shot over 40'. Sarah Simonetti, Pennridge, and Christine Smith, Unionville, battled in the mile with Simonetti prevailing by just over a second. And a Delaware State Record was set by Tatnall, who won the 4x800. Hatboro-Horsham took 2nd. Earlier in the week on Monday 2/5 night in New York at the Armory at the RIDGEWOOD NJ VARSITY CLASSIC, Glen Mills' Semaj Spencer moved to within 5.5 inches of US#1 in the triple jump with another PR. The jump topped the all-time Delaware County record set by Leroy Burrell of Penn Wood in 1985. Glen Mills moved into PA#1 in the 4x400. Bernard Goodwyn, also of Glen Mills, was under 50 seconds in the 400. Upper Darby's Mark Short won the 55 in a PA#2 time, and was 6th in the 200. Rob McNally, Upper Darby, won the 800 in under 1:58. Henderson's Chris Aldrich won the 1600, with teammate Chris Ferry taking 3rd in the Invitational 1000 in under 2:30. For the girls, St. Basil's Kathleen Davies was 2nd in the 1600 and also captured 3rd in the 3200. On Thursday at the TSTCA INDOOR MEET #7 @ Pitt, AA cross country champ Lucas Zarzeczny ran the 2nd fastest mile in PA this season. North Allegheny's Jade Hambrick moved into PA#3 in the shot put, while Riverside's Denes Veres improved to PA#4. In the long jump, Melissa Alauzen of Canon McMillan improved from PA#5 to #4 with a leap nearing 18'. Baldwin became the first western PA team in their first year of doing the DMR to crack the state's top ten, moving into #7. They are anchored by TJ Hobart, an emerging star as a sophomore, who has the 3rd best mile in the state this season. TFCAGP NOVICE MEET meet results from Lehigh Friday 2/9 now posted as non-subscription. At the BUCKNELL WINTER CLASSIC, Big Spring's Lara Crofford soloed to a win in the 5000 meter run. On Sunday at the PCL CHAMPIONSHIPS, Cardinal O'Hara swept the girls and boys titles. Sarah Houtmann was a prolific scorer for O'Hara, winning the 400 and the long jump. She also took 2nd in the 60 and 200 dashes, which were both won by West Catholic's Simone Carter. Steve Werner won two events and added a 2nd and 4th place to help the O'Hara boys. He captured the 200 and the long jump to go with his 2nd in the 60, and 4th in the 60 hurdles. Archbishop Prendergast's Colleen Boland won the mile and 3000.
Despite their strong showings at the 100th Millrose Games on February 2nd, Boyertown senior Jason Weller and Easton junior Chanelle Price don't see themselves as milers. But they're getting to that point. Quickly. (Photos of Jason Weller and Chanelle Price by Maroon News of NJ)