Where to begin? Let's start with the champs of champs. Sheena Gordon didn't quite repeat her four-win performance of last year.
Just a little 'ol meet at Lehigh University by the Delaware Valley Girls' Track & Field Coaches Association. And look what happened! 50 nationally elite performances, highlighted by eight teams in the 4x800, seven in the 4x200, six in the 4x400, and five individuals in the 60 Hurdles and 60 Dash.
Once again, McDowell's Sheena Gordon, arguably the most versatile T&F athlete in PA this year, won four events.
Cardinal O'Hara is rapidly becoming a Track & Field dynasty in the Philadelphia Catholic League after another double victory in the League Champs.
46 Elite performances @ the Track Carnival @ Lehigh University. Ryan Blood 8:48.25 US#3 3000, Glen Mills US#3 3:21.33 (following their 3:18.6 US#1 a week ago) 4x400, Nehemiah Leary US#4 23-04.50 LJ, Steve Nichols, Penncrest, US#5 8.17 60 Hurdles, Troy Robeston US#7 48.87.
Matt Condraw of Lower Dauphin HS near Harrisburg, travelled up the river and over the bar to set a first-time HS fieldhouse record at the new Susquehanna Univerisity Indoor Facility when he cleared 14-3.
Dan Mazzocco joined the growing legion of PA distance runners under 9:00 in the 3000, setting up what could be one of the best races at States in two weeks.
Sheena Gordon, McDowell, quads the field (and track) with an 8.92 60 Hurdles, 39-05.25 TJ, 18-00.25 LJ, and 5-07 HJ at Penn State Invitational 2/16.
It can be very frustrating when you have stayed in contact with a runner throughout the race and then over the last lap he or she pulls away from you.
Four new Fieldhouse records, including demonstratons of the 800 depth of North Penn, and the Shot Put depth of the region.
Dan Michael, North Penn, becomes only the second PA athlete under two minutes in the 800, going a solid 1:59.0.
Two great Triple Jumps, a PA #2 High Jump, and a meet record 60 Hurdles highlighted the Division II meet @ Lehigh.
Another candidate for the top stop in the State Pole Vault emerged at the Gill High School Invitational at Kutztown Feb 2 as Lower Dauphin's Matt Condran cleared 14’6
Mark Mullelly becomes first PA athlete under 9 in the 3000, going 8:57.0 (US#8).
The 4th TSTCA meet of the season produced a US #8 and PA best in the 800, and a T US #9 and PA best in the Pole Vault.
Perhaps the most important principle of training for a runner is to be consistent.
Sheena Gordon triples with US#1 HJ 5-10, US# 3 18-8.50 LJ, and US#4 55H 7.9 (trials) 8.62 Finals) at Slippery Rock University, Friday 1/18
William Penn's Tyeshia Thomas improved her state-leading time in the 55 Meter Hurdles, going 8.2. The effort puts her in the top 10 US.
Susquehanna Township's Marcel Coleman ran a sizzling 6.2 at the the Dickinson College Invitational, which adjusted for hand-time is 6.44, or US #6.
The Delaware County Girls' Indoor Championships is an annual mid-season test sandwiched between association meets and the start of the big indoor season.
The top three seeds in the 3000 finished one-two-three as all ran well.
The western PA athletes hit the Pitt facilities for a Thursday night meet, and it was the field performances that captured the most attention.
Jenn Seitz of State College took both the 200 and 400 in strong performances, winning the shorter distance with a 26.9, and the two-lapper in 61.0.
It's the year of the Shot Put in the region, as five guys threw over 52' at the Glen Mills Invitational, led by Delaware's Carlton Rose of William Penn HS at 57-8.
Tiffany Bradley, West Catholic, took the 200 at the first meet in December, and added a shorter distance this time around with the same result-victories.