4/21 WKND: Finally, good weather meant great performances - new G. Val. video on Tue PM Don Rich Apr 19, 2007

 

Neely Spence set PRs in the 800 and 1600.

\"\"Highlighting the weekend... No matter where you live in PA, the early spring has been less than cooperative for training. Apparently, it was no big deal... because the first gorgeous weekend for meets resulted in performances worthy of any season, early or late. At the AA-AAA formatted SHIPPENSBURG INV, there were unexpected PRs, a 4-event winner, a huge disc and jav (from the same person), a sub-five mile and sub 2:17 800 (from a different same person), some pre-state previews of hot sprint match-ups, and two smokin' 4x400's by the same school. At the MOON MIXED RELAYS, North Allegheny won seven events to win the unique two-boys, two girls team format, with Seneca Valley taking four and garnering 2nd as a team. At the CAL TRACK CARNIVAL @ California University PA, Hopewell's Kalley Baker won two sprint events; teammate Bruce Fleming captured the jav and shot; and Rochester senior Derek Moye won the 200 and the single lapper. At the BUTLER INVITATIONAL, McDowell's boys won the team title, while the North Allegheny girls won their competiton. The McDowell girls were 3rd and got a major contribution from Ajla Glavesevic, who won the long and triple jumps. Two girls bettered 40' in the shot put. Baldwin's Chris Wolfe led four guys under 2 minutes in the 800. Three guys were under 9:40.1 in the 3200. Three guys were under 11.0 hand in the 100. (American Conference, Hermitage, Great Valley, Waggoner, and Washington-Greene County summaries by Kimberly Jaick Soden) Wissahickon dominated its own AMERICAN CONFERENCE RELAYS by winning nine relays for boys and girls combined. The squad won the boys shuttle hurdle relays, the boys and girls 4x100, 4x200 and 4x400 relays as well as the boys distance medley. At the CITY OF HERMITAGE TRACK & FIELD INVITE hosted by Hickory High, Northwestern senior Amanda Seigworth set meet records in the 100 and 300 hurdles. Her teammate, Cody Cipalla, a senior, pulled off the sprint double, capturing both the boys 100 and 200 meter dashes. He also finished second in the high jump. Sophomore Lauren Zarger of Hickory Creek and senior Zachary Ross of Meadville Area each double-dipped in the distance events with both capturing the 1,600 and 3,200-meter runs. Rounding out the double-winners were Hickory senior Arin Whitman, who won the girls shot put and the discus. The Lakeview boys team, which won the 4x100 and the 4x400 relays. The GREAT VALLEY RELAYS saw a trio of schools send the same four relays members home with two golds apiece. Swenson captured the girls 4x100 and 4x200 (4x200 and 4x400 splits available); Simon Gratz was victorious in the 4x200 and sprint medley, and Chester won the girls 4x400 and sprint medley. In the field events, Penncrest's Karen Shump won the shot put and discus. Ryann Krais worked on two of her Pentathlon events, clearing 5-6 in the high jump and long jumping 18-2.5. At the JOHN WAGGONER INVITATIONAL, held at Solanco High, Ross Shober, lead Garden Spot to the boys team title by winning the 100 and 200, as well as the long jump. Teammate Liz Martin of Garden Spot showed she can win at 100-meters, with hurdles or not, by capturing both the 100-meter dash and 100-meter hurdles. At the WASHINGTON-GREENE COUNTY COACHES MEET, held at Cannon-McMillan High, the host school's Katelynd McElhany captured the 100-meter hurdles and the triple jump. Peters Township's Nate Janusey was the meet's only other double-winner. He captured the shot and discus. At the BALD EAGLE INVITATIONAL @ Lock Haven University, Indian Valley junior Brooke Mathews won three events, the 100, 200 and a leg of the 4x100. Double winners included Central Mountain junior Kristin Brandt in the long and triple jumps. Kim Hanslovan of Dubois took the javelin and shot put. Lewisburg junior Casey Miller won the 1600 in a meet record and ran on the winning 4x800. In Tennessee at the VOLUNTEER OUTDOOR TRACK CLASSIC, Easton's Chanelle Price won two events, both in meet record times - the 400 and 800. Nazareth Academy's Meghan Lutz was 4th in the 3200 and 8th in the 1600. At the 1ST SOUTH FAYETTE LION'S T&F INVITATIONAL, Brentwood sprinter Davon Moore posted a quick 100 in the prelims before winning the finals. He was 3rd in the 200 behind Rochester's Derek Moye, and Center's Corey Forrest. Moye also fashioned a quick win in the 400. Moore contributed to the winning 4x100. At the 46TH LEONARD STEPHAN T&F CLASSIC @ Wilson HS, West Lawn, Muhlenberg sophomore Tyrell Ellison got in a big high jump, clearing 6-07. He was 2nd in the triple jump. Schulykill Valley's Devan Coon took two from Daniel Boone's Aubrie McAlpine, winning the 100 and 200. Distance runner Nick Hilton of Exeter captured the 800 and 1600. Tory Toso of Wilson won the pole vault with a 11-6 effort. Justin Germaini of Daniel Boone clearedf 15-01. Danielle Laws, Reading, won the shot put and discus. At the CENTRAL BUCKS WEST RELAYS, The home girls are looking strong again this season in the 4x400. They torched their home track to a sub 3:58. The North Penn guys were down there with Harrisburg (at Ship) with a sub 3:21, a new meet record.  Gwynedd-Mercy tuned up for Penn with a strong 4x800. The CB West girls set a meet record in the 1600 SMR. Pennridge set a record in the 4x1600, and did a strong DMR. North Penn's Kaitlyn Dugan won the long and triple jumps. CB West's Justine Robertson captured the shot and the discus.  Neshaminy's Tim Malloy cleared 6-6 in the high jump. Abington's Jarret Eaton smoked the 300 hurdles to a stadium record sub 38. At the FAIRVIEW KIWANIS INVITATIONAL, Girard's Regan Moore won the 100, 200 and the 100 hurdles. Strong Vincent's LaMont McWilliams was also a triple winner, capturing gold in the 100, 200 and triple jump. Fairview's girls and boys won their respective 4x100's. Other double winners were Emily Neder, Fairview, in the shot and discus; Sam Havko of Fairview in the 800 and 1600; and Chris Boat of Youngsville, in the shot and discus. At the KANE INVITATIONAL, it was no surprise to see the emergence of another strong high jumper out of Bradford. Erica Pascarella, a sophomore, cleared 5-6. The boys' shot put was huge with Blake Eaton of Allegany-Limestone ripping a throw over 61'. He also threw 168+ to win the discus. Bradford's Rob Bleem won the javelin and took 2nd in the shot and discus. At the MORGANTOWN HIGH / WVU T&F INVITATIONAL in West Virginia, Chartiers Valley took 1st in the girl's 4x400 in a meet record time. Joe Thorton was their top field competitor, winning the shot put and taking 2nd in the discus. At the BULLDOG CLASSIC @ the University of Louisville, KY, Mercer's Melissa Smith took 2nd in the 3200 in a PR of 11:11.62. At the NEW YORK RELAYS, Methacton's boys came away with some awards. Eric Brittingham won the Invitational javelin and the SMR took 6th.

 

Results posted for 18 meets. We still need results from Mount Carmel and Red & Black Inv @ East Stroudsburg. PLUS PHOTO GALLERIES FROM BUTLER AND SHIPPENSBURG ARE POSTED. GREAT VALLEY VIDEO POSTED AND PHOTO GALLERY IS POSTED AS WELL.

 

 

 

 

4/14 WKND: Krais MR 59.34 400H (vid)|Rubio big TJ|Rotz rolls @ Pan-Ram|Moore 204+ Jav|Hurr. vid+pix Don Rich Apr 13, 2007

 

We still need results from UNION AREA, BROOKVILLE, and MERCERSBURG ACADEMY.


Highlighting the weekend... At the TACO BELL CLASSIC in South Carolina, Methacton's Ryann Krais set a MR and a PR with her 59.34 win in the 400 hurdles. Read the race story and see SCRunner's John Olsen's video interview with Ryann and her coach, plus a photo gallery of the race. Conditions were better for distance than sprints at the 7TH HURRICANE CLASSIC, but at least there was no rain, snow, or wind. Meet and track records fell in the 4x80, 1600, 3200, shot put and pole vault. Breehana Jacobs of Laurel Highlands is running well for the bad western PA weather. She was named track athlete of the meet at the 16TH LADY SPARTAN INV. Hempfield thrower Kim Kanala was the meet's outstanding field athlete. Diana Filtz of Penn Trafford and Kiski Area's Leah Ulizio also had outstanding meets.

Prendie tuned up for their Penn DMR at DELCO Relays - photo by Penn TrackXC

\"\"In one of the largest teams the school has ever had, Harrisburg has scorers and they have depth. The girls dominated the 19th PAN-RAM INV., while the boys were 3rd within 10 of Cumberland Valley. Lhayana Dallas led the Cougars with wins in the 100 and 300 hurdles, and the high jump. AA power Boiling Springs was led by distance star Kara Millhouse, who doubled- dipped for distance wins. Teammate Anna Bixler scored in three events. An awesome 800 from Central Dauphin's Andrew Rotz. Daniel Boone's Aubrie McAlpine won the 100 and 200. Cumberland Valley sprinter Juan Steward pulled the 100 and 400 double. Lower Dauphin hurdler Eric Oneal swept his two events. Central Dauphin's Justin Shirk set a meet record in the jav; and Anna Muzio of Central Dauphin won the shot put and discus. The Selinsgrove girls swept three relays at the 27TH PURPLE & WHITE RELAYS @ Shamokin HS... taking the 4x100, the 4x200 and the 4x400. The Williamsport boys took the 4x100 and the 800 SMR. The javelin is a strong event in PA, and the big guns are starting to warm up, this past weekend at the 37TH ANNUAL TFCAofGP RELAY CARNIVAL. LaSalle's Brian Moore threw to the PA lead. North Penn's sub-8 4x800 says they have reloaded nicely. Abington was quick in two relay wins. The national champ XC team Coatesvlle guys posted a very fast DMR. In the 'better you than me' event, Joe Berry of Hatboro-Horsham cleared 15-04. At the ARCTIC BLAST INVITATIONAL, Northern girls have a strong distance program as reflected by strong wins in the 800, 1600, 3200 and 4x800. State College sprinter Alex Kenney took the 100 and 200. The South Western boys posted a fast 4x400. At the BRISTOL KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS INVITATIONAL, Father Judge sprinter Mike Zampirri took care of 100 and 200 biz. He also anchored their winning 4x100. Neshaminy's Tim Bech won the 300 hurdles, and the long and the triple jumps. Three guys busted 2 in the 800. At the COLTS NECK RELAYS, in New Jersey, Unionville set a school record in the DMR, taking 4th. Paul Springer led off in 3:02.1 1200, passing you-know-who to give his team a 10-15 meter lead. West Chester Henderson's girls were 2nd in the DMR. At the 5TH GREATER LATROBE INVITATIONAL, Hempfield's Weston Banks upped his PA#1 discus ead by over 6'. And his nearly 60' shot put was just a half-inch below his season best. Triple jumpers Garner McCloud (Kiski Area) and Dan Sandrowicz (Indiana), were over 46'. Sandrowicz also won the long jump. Greensburg Central Catholic junior Chris Hayden-Martin won the 100 and the 200. Kiski Area easily captured the team title. At the BEDFORD GIANT EAGLE INVITATIONAL, Jordan Donaldson of Tussey Mountain set two meet records in the single and double lap events. Sarah Strayer of Forest Hills won three events, the 800, 1600 and 3200, the latter a meet record. Berlin's girls and Bedford's boys took team titles. At the DELCO T&F RELAY CARNIVAL, Upper Darby took two of the sprint relays, Chester captured both sprint medleys, and Archbishop Carroll, Radnor and Archbishop Prendergast split the long stuff. Upper Darby's Bintou Dibba won the long and triple. Karen Shump of Penncrest had the top shot and discus performances of the day. It really was the Kaitlyn Dugan show at the DON SELTZER TRACK & FIELD RELAYS. The North Penn senior not only won three events, but she posted some very strong marks, putting up the #1 long jump in the state, the #2 high jump by an inch, and the #9 triple jump. At the HARBOR CREEK INVITATIONAL, Ogechi Nwokedi of Oil City won the 400 and 800. Strong Vincent senior LaMont McMilliams was a double champ, taking the 100 and 200. At the HEMPFIELD BLACK KNIGHT INVITATIONAL (D3), Conestoga Valley's Vince McNally set a pair of meet records, ripping a sub-4:18 1600 and holding off Hempfield's Andrew Kontra in the 800. Garden Spot teammates Ross Shober and Liz Martin were double champs in the 100 and 200. The home team girls set meet records in the 4x400 and 4x800, while the guys set a meet record in the 4x800 and won the 4x400. Hempfield's Christi Griffiths set two meet records and tied a 3rd, winning the long, triple and high jumps. Ashley Myer of Oxford took the shot put and the discus. At the SOUTH HILLS CLASSIC @ Baldwin HS, Baldwin sophomore TJ Hobart ran another sub-4:20 for 1600. Hurdler Brice Myers of McDowell won the 110 and 300. Brentwood's Da'Von Moore posted a quick 100. North Allegheny thrower Jade Hambrick won two events, the shot and discus. At the TROJAN TRACK & FIELD CLASSIC, @ Center HS, Derek Moye of Rochester cruised quickly through the 200 and 400 for wins. Denes Veres, Riverside, was a double winner in the shot and discus. Hopewell's Kailey Baker won the 100 and 200, while Monaca's Josh Nadzam captured the 800, 1600 and 3200. At the PACER RELAYS, the Glen Mills guys got in some quick workouts, posting strong times in winning the shuttle hurdles, 4x100, 4x200 4x400 and 1600 sprint medley relays. Methacton's guys ran a strong DMR to outpace Owen J. Roberts. They also held off OJR in the 4x800 by four seconds. The Spring Ford girls won the shuttle hurdles and the sprint medley. At the HORNET INVITATIONAL @ Honesdale HS, East Stroudsburg North's Jon Clouse won two events, taking the long jump and the javelin. Lakeland's Mark Bucklaw posted a solo 4:26.2 in the 1600. Teammate Kyle Pepson ran 1:57.6 in the 800. The Abington Heights girls took the 4x100. Honesdale's Cassie Schweighofer threw the shot 38'+. At the 1ST LADY REDSKINS INVITATIONAL @ Neshaminy HS, Central Bucks West thrower Justine Robertson did just that... and very well... winning three events: the javelin, discus and shot put. The CB West 4x800 ran sub 9:56, and took the 4x400 as well. Council Rock North senior Allison Sikora held off Nazareth's Meghan Lutz in the 3200 by less than two seconds. Ijeoma Iheoma of Council Rock South went 2:17.33 to easily win the 800.

 

PHOTO GALLERIES + VIDEO OF KRAIS IN SC, GALLERY OF DELCO RELAYS + HURRICANE CLASSIC GALLERY + VID ARE ON!

Collegiate meet at Princton 4/6 has PA flavor | McNally sets 3200 school record in the wind Don Rich Apr 11, 2007

\"\"Conestoga HS coach Ryan Comstock took a side trip to Princeton on Friday April 6th to see his former star Liz Costello, now a freshman with Princeton. He also got to see quite a few former high school standouts, a few who are now running as post- collegiate athletes. And in Lebanon on Monday April 9, Conestoga Valley junior Vince McNally survived the wind to set a school record in the 3200.

 

(Conestoga grad/Princeton frosh Liz Costello leads Prendie/LaSalle grad Sheila Klick in the Elite Women's 1500 - photo by Ryan Comstock)

4/7 WKND: C. Valley sweeps to wins @ Dallas-7 MRs in the wind|PCL sweeps 4x800 in VA-snow nixes Sat Don Rich Apr 05, 2007

\"\"In all, there were seven meet records, six in field events and one on the track at the 6th BRUCE DALLAS INV @ Cumberland Valley HS. There were a few double champs, and a few athletes who soloed and contributed to three or more event wins. CV swept the team titles behind Juan Steward and Abby Huber, but AA Boiling Springs was 2nd in the girls team chase. Justin Shirk got a MR in the Jav to start his soph campaign. At the COUNCIL ROCK KIWANIS INV at Council Rock North HS, Coatesville was 42 points better that Neshaminy in the 19-team invite, powered in large part by their distance squad. Jason Ward won the 3000, with teammate Jason Leonard 2nd. Drew Mahoney took the 5000. Owen Dawson was 2nd in the 800 to Tennent's Mike Pio. And Kyle Dawson was 2nd in the 1500. Isaac Bryan of Pennridge took 1st. Coatesville won the DMR and the 800 sprint medley relay. In the pole vault, both Joe Berry of Hatboro-Horsham and Max Chichkin of Council Rock South cleared 14-06. Abington's Jerret Eaton captured both the 110 and 400 hurdles. Quick sprints from Kyle Reeves of Pennsburg in the 100; by Chad Sargent of Neshaminy for 200; and Cheltenham's Brandon Bing in the 400. At the MORGAN STATE HS INV in Maryland, Norristown performed well in the blustery conditions. Gabriella Rinehart won the shot put. Peter Selby took 1st in the 110 hurdles and the guy's 4x400 was 3rd. At the SUSQUEHANNA HS CLASSIC at Susquehanna University, The Hughesville hurdle-jump tandem of Rachel Houseknecht and Rebekah Newhart were busy accumulating points. Rachel won the 100 and 300 hurdles. Rebekah was 2nd in the 100 hurdles, and took 1st in the high jump, long jump and triple jump. Williamsport's Josh King edged Montoursville's Gary Bush in the 100, and led the Millionaire's 4x100. Zachary Barr of Williamsport put the javelin out 180'. At the CHESTNUT HILL ACADEMY INVITATIONAL, Chestnut Hill's Phil Thomas bettered a year-old meet record in the long jump by an inch. Wayne Crawford tuned up in the shot put with a throw of 52'. And Penn Charter's 1600 sprint medley relay ran 3:47.4. The COLONIAL RELAYS in Williamsburg VA returned after a two-year absence with a familiar flavor – lots of PA teams. Oh... and PA on top on in the 4x800. Archbishop Prendergast ran a strong 9:37.49 for the win, with Saint Basil Academy close for 2nd in 9:42.66. LaSalle led the boys' race, winning in just over 8 minutes. Great Valley took 2nd, followed by Upper Dublin in 4th, Germantown Friends in 5th, and Archbishop Ryan in 6th. Basil's Kathleen Davis captured the 3000 in 10:21.13. Germantown Friends' Jake McKenzie had the best showing for the PA boys in the 3K. PA – or should be say Monsignor Bonner? – went one-two in the shot put. Sean Wilks threw 50-11 for the win. Chris Licci was 2nd with a toss of 49-00. Five PA girls' team moved to the finals of the 4x100, behind the top qualifying time of Swenson.Four PA boys' teams qualified. Father Judge had the 2nd best qualifier. Leemue Koimene of Father Judge cleared 6-1 to take the boys' high jump. (In the photo by Brandon Miles of MileSplit.com, you can see the snow that led to the cancellation of Day Two). It was cold and windy in Southwest Virginia at the FASTER, FARTHER, HIGH INVITATIONAL at Radford University on Saturday as well, and Wilson HS of West Lawn PA must have felt like it was home. But Tory Toso persevered and won the pole vault. She also ran on the winning 4x100 relay. The Wilson girls also won the 4x800. For the Wilson boys, Donnie Wonnie won the 400 and ran on the winning 4x400. The girls tied for first in the team competition with 112 points. The boys were 2nd. On Thursday 4/5 at the RUSTIN INVITATIONAL at West Chester's new Bayard Runsin HS, it was quite a workout for Unionville ace Paul Springer. He won the 800 and ran tempo to take 2nd in the 1600 and 3200. He also ran the 4x400, which Unionville won. Alanna Owens ruled the shot put for the home team. On Wednesday, 4/4 at the LARRY SIMMONS INVITATIONAL at Penncrest, Ridley's Sam Smarkola pulled off a quick sprint double in the 200 and 400. In the half-lapper, Cardinal O'Hara's Sarah Houtmann was sub 26. For the boys, Kevin Wilbank sub-23. The 3200's were strong and with some good depth. Rob Speare of Strath Haven set the pace and Radnor's Hannah Granger and Liz Milewski went one-two. Cardinal O'Hara swept the 4x100's and 4x400's. In the throws delayed until Saturday because of Wednesday's weather, Karen Shump of host Penncrest, won the Discus and shot put.

3/31 WKND: Krais erases two MRs, Bing PRs @ PA Track Classic (VIDEO) |Big Javs in Altoona Don Rich Mar 30, 2007

\"\"Highlighting the weekend... When a record falls at the PA TRACK CLASSIC, it is usually a pretty impressive one. The meet used to be the only game in town on the last Saturday in March, but with more competition for teams, fields have grown a little smaller. Well, there's no cure for that better than continuing to attract a high level of talent that includes (but is certainly not limited to) junior phenom Ryann Krais (in PTXC photo) of Methacton and senior wide receiver-defensive back-sprinter-triple jumper Brandon Bing of Cheltenham. Their performance on Saturday earned them the female and male Track Athletes of the Meet. Krais set records in the 100 and 300 hurdles. She also posted some impressive splits in anchoring Methacton's 4x100 and 4x400. Bing won the 100 and the 200. There were impressive performances at every turn, circle and runway, as well. Wissahickon did a little switching in the opening event of the day, the Distance Medley Relay. Usually anchored by Nick Crits, the junior took the baton in hand for the start. He quickly established a lead, and pushed to an impressive opening 1200. It was a lead they never relinquished on the way to the win. The Central Bucks West girls put in some great performances. Senior Liz Kearins anchored the DMR to a win. She also came back to front-run to an 800 win. Kearins also anchored their 4x400 to victory, splitting 58.6. In the field, CB West's Justine Robertson earned Field Athlete of the Meet with wins in the shot put, and discus. She also placed 3rd in the javelin. Northampton's Laura Rycek unleashed a big throw on the first toss of the finals to secure the javelin title. Sharing Field Athlete of the Meet honors with Robertson was Wissahickon's Folarin Ijelu, who won the triple jump, and also captured the high jump. Hatboro-Horsham's Christy Ohmott set a meet record in the pole vault. Palisades held the 1ST PIRATE INVITATIONAL, where Council Rock South sprinter Ije Iheoma swept the 1/4 lap, half-lap and full lap events. South also took the 4x100. Alyson Brokaw won both hurdle events. Wilson Area's (Easton), Anthony Davidson won the 200 and the 400. Grant Broach of Palisades was a double champ, taking the discus and javelin. The jav area at Mansion Park in Altoona, site of the IGLOO INVITATIONAL, is as flat as they come. But for whatever reason (probably the talent involved), a lot of athletes throw very well there. At the site of her first PA all-time best, Westmont Hilltop senior Karlee McQuillen started with a bang, ripping a meet record throw. And United junior Eric Skedel also claimed a meet record, setting a PR by over 16 feet, topping 200. Leaping onto the jumping scene is Altoona sophomore Bethany Lender. She won the triple jump and the long jump. The Central Cambria distance crew was busy - winning. Carly Seymour took the 1600 and the 3200. Kelsey Seymour won the 800. The Altoona sprinters wrapped up wins in the 4x100 and the 4x400. One of their best, AJ Alexander, swept the 100 and 200. At the CENTRAL LEAGUE RELAYS, the Upper Darby girls posted a quick 4x100, and also took the 4x200. The Penncrest boys took their 4x200 and the 4x400. Penncrest junior Karen Shump contributed with top throws to relay wins in her two events... the shot put and the discus. Conestoga's Chris Roe threw almost 170' for the top jav of the day. Strath Haven's boys won the 4x100, the 1600 sprint medley and the distance medley relays. At the DIAMOND STATE RELAYS in Delaware, Coatesville put out two distance medley relay squads and placed 1st and 4th. Glen Mill's Reuben Aimes took 1st in the long jump, while teammate Darren Johnson took top honors in the triple jump. Cardinal O'Hara's Brigid Harron won the high jump. Coatesville's Kaleena Gray won the shot put and was 2nd in the discus. At the OXENREIDER RELAYS at Muhlenberg HS, North Penn came south after their trip north with quite a few awards. The girls won the 4x100, the 4x200, the 4x400, the 800 sprint medley relay, and the distance medley relay. The guys won the 4x100, the 4x200, and the 4x400. North Penn's Kaitlyn Dugan went over 17' for the long jump title. Whitehall's Andrew Fahringer opened his season with a strong javelin to go with a win in the shot put. \"\"At the TSTCA CHAMPIONSHIPS at West Mifflin, Woodland Hills' Cambrya Jones (in photo by Jeremy Lenzi) swept the 100 and 200. Kelly Langhans of North Allegheny set a meet record in the 400. Kacey Gibson, Neshannock, set a meet (and state) best in the 1600. Sophomore TJ Hobart of Baldwin beat Pittsburgh Central Catholic's Scott Van Kooten in the 1600. Meet records were also set by McDowell's Brice Myers in the 100 hurdles, by Penn Hills in the 4x100, and by North Allegheny in the 4x400. West Banks, Hempfield, won the shot put and the discus in 163-05. Sean Gil of North Allegheny and Zach Meverden of Pine Richland each cleared 15-00 in the pole vault. Both meet records in the 400 were rewritten at the BROTHER JEROME BENWAY INVITATIONAL @ St. Basil Academy. Swenson's Shanae Bailey and John Kennedy of Central the winning runs. Bailey also helped Swenson set a met record in the 4x100. The Neumann-Goretti boys ran for a meet record in the single lap relay. Girls' High of Philadelphia posted a new meet record in the 4x200. Goretti also erased the meet record in the 4x200. A record also dropped in the 4x400... by Girard College. The Archbishop Prendergast squad ran clear of 2nd in setting a record in the DMR. The field was not spared the record barrage, as Colleen Costmen of Prendie and Tom Beasley of Phoenixville set new marks in the high jump. Chestnut Hill Academy's Phil Thomas, in the long jump, and teammate, Wayne Crawford in the shot put, both set meet records. Senior Lara Crofford had an incredible XC season, and she is carrying over that strength after running well in a few open meets during indoor. Her sub-11 3200 at the HAROLD PHILLIPS INVITATIONAL @ Carlisle HS, is a strong statement for this time of year, as she pulled away from Boiling Springs junior Kara Millhouse over the final few laps. Millhouse turned the tables in the 1600 beating Carlisle Marie Lamparter and Crofford. Carlisle's Kacey James must love the home throwing areas, because she was strong in all three events, taking the shot, discus and javelin. Crofford's teammate Amanda Raudabaugh had a strong double, winning the 400 and 800 in 2:23.6. There were four other double champs as well. Harrisburg came and conquered all the sprint relays at the TIM COOK MEMORIAL INVIATIONAL in Chambersburg. But Chambersburg defended their home turf nicely in the girls 100 and the distance events. The Cougar's not only won the girls and boys 4x100, 4x200 and 4x400, they set meet records in all six races. Chamberburg swept the 4x800's in meet record form. Chamberburg sophomore sprinter Anyssa Barbour cruised to a meet record in the 100. Harrisburg's Lhayana Dallas set two meet records in the hurdles. James Buchanan's Dian Lehman set stadium and meet records in the long jump. Harrisburg's Tausha Ellison leapt 17-0 to establish the girls' LJ mark. And welcome back to Chamberburg's Sarah Morrison. The William & Mary signee is back from illness and injury and looks ready to roll after a meet record in the 1600. Trinity (Camp Hill) swept the small school girls and boys team titles at the WHITE ROSE INVITATIONAL at Central York. The girls title is notable because they beat more-often-than-not-state champs Milton Hershey by four points. The Trinity boys were led by two wins in the relays, taking the 4x100 and 4x400. Shane Seymore contributed valuable points to the Shamrocks his win in the 800, while Chris Kearney took the 400. West York's Tyler Real won the hurdles events. In large school girls, it was New Oxford being paced by Jordan Jenkins who won the 1600 and helped the 4x800 set a meet record. The large school boys team title was captured by Central Dauphin East behind the fastest 4x100 on the day. Red Lion's Greg Kareis took the 3200. Red Land's Lindsay Bumbernick won the triple jump. At the BALD EAGLE AREA RELAYS, Amanda Mondack of the host team threw 36-03.25 to win the shot put. Jersey Shore swept most of the events in both boys and girls competition.

 

New interpretation of NCAA D1 Bylaw means Neely Spence will now compete for her Shippensburg HS team Don Rich Mar 27, 2007

PIAA AAA State XC Champ and Foot Locker Finalist Neely Spence – who ran for Shippensburg High School last fall after a law was passed requiring PA school to allow participation of homeschoolers – will join the Shippensburg team again this spring. Spence had planned to run open and collegiate meets this spring in preparation for the Nike Outdoor Nationals in June, but a new regulation has changed her plans.

3/24 WKND: Strath Haven boys have some relays|Krais leads Methacton|Coatesville sharp Don Rich Mar 21, 2007

Highlighting the weekend... In two distance races on Saturday at the FRED HARDY INVITATIONAL at the University of Richmond, Neely Spence (Homeschooled) ran a 6-second PR in the 1500M and a 13-second PR in the 3000M. The Strath Haven boys are out of the blocks fast at the CHICHESTER RELAYS at Chichester HS. Even running in the small school division of the large school-small school meet, they posted top times of the day in three of the four relays they won, and tied for top honors in the fourth. The Chester girls broke a long-standing meet record in the 1600 SMR. Penncrest's Karen Shump opened with an 8-foot-plus PR in the discus. She also eased the shot out over 44'. In the first year of West Chester University's GOLDEN RAM INVITATIONAL, the stars were popping. Less than a week after celebrating her 17th birthday, junior sensation Ryann Krais shook off the indoor turns and stretched a bit to add the longer distances in the hurdles. The results were much the same, as she won the 100 and the 300 barrier-races. She also ran the 400 leg of the winning sprint medley relay, and the anchor leg of the winning 4x400. The Methacton girls won the team title, as Krais was named the MVP of the meet. Glen Mills won the boys' team title behind the MVP efforts of Jhavonte Carr who won the 100 and was 2nd to Ridley's Kevin Wilbank by just .01 in the 200. Glen Mills won the 4x400. At Phoenixville High School's PHOENIX RELAYS, the Coatesville boys set two meet records. They crushed their 2005 1:33.34 4x200 relay mark. They weren't too kind to Downingtown West's 2005 distance medley relay record of 10:46.77 either. The Coatesville guys also won the 4x400. At the "POP" EMREY WARM-UP RELAYS @ Liberty HS, the Pocono Mountain West girls won the 4x100 and the 800m sprint medley relay. The Pennridge girls controlled the distance events. The host Liberty boys won the DMR. In the field events, Anita James of Pocono Mountain West leapt nearly 18' to capture the long jump. Ashley Pinter of Liberty won the shot put.

 

Plan comes together for Henderson for DMR National title - with a little improv from Chris Aldrich Don Rich Mar 13, 2007

\"\"Coaches plan. Athletes listen. When the coach is as accomplished and strategically experienced as West Chester Henderson's Kevin Kelly, and the athletes are as talented and coachable as Chris Ferry, Tim Shea, Andrew Jervis and Chris Aldrich, good things are bound to happen. Kelly had a plan. The runners knew that their workouts indicated they could beat the team they perceived as their main competition - Fork Union Military Academy of Virginia. Kelly outlined his battle plan to PennTrackXC's Gayle Rich. "Our strategy was to give Aldrich as big a lead as possible."

 

Photo by David Fleenor for The MileSplit Network

The superlatives escape him. She is not easily impressed. Don Rich Mar 11, 2007

\"\"

The superlatives escape him. She is not easily impressed.

He is Rob Ronzano, coach of one Ryann Krais, the remarkably talented, genuinely humble talent who added another national title to her growing resume with the #3 all-time indoor Pentathlon on Saturday at the Nike Team Nationals. Ronzano saw the talent when she started her indoor season as a freshman. His reaction was to read everything he could find, and talk with as many coaches as he could - all in an effort to try to stay ahead of her talent curve. He's still ahead, but it's like trying to outrun a train. Sometimes it's just best to step off the track and watch. On Saturday at NIN, he coached. But he also watched, and what he saw from the junior again amazed him. "To be a little off and to still set a record, that's pretty special," Ronzano understated.

 

Photo by John Herzog for the MileSplit Network

3/10 WKND: MD: Price MR|All time from Krais+Easton|Henderson DMR|NY:N Penn-Springer 2nd|NEW VID/AUD Don Rich Mar 10, 2007

 

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\"\"Highlighting the weekend... On DAY THREE of the NATIONAL SCHOLASTIC INDOOR CHAMPIONSHIPS at the New York Armory, North Penn captured 2nd in the 4x800. Jamar Jones of Engineering & Science early all-American with his 3rd place in the 800. Kiski Area's Garner McCloud earned all-American status with a 5th place in the triple jump. Chris Ferry of Henderson, took 8th in the 800. On DAY TWO, Caitlin DeFusco, Germantown Academy, moved to the semis of the 200 but was DQed in the finals. PCL reps Archbishop Prendergast and Cardinal O'Hara boys were 8th and 9th in the 4xmile. In the 4x200, Cardinal O'Hara, Neshaminy and Neumann Goretti's boys advanced, as did the West Catholic girls. Joe Berry, Hatboro-Horsham, advanced to the finals of the pole vault. Liberty's Beki Finn and Easton's Abby Schaffer tied for 5th and earned all-American certificates. Simone Carter, West Catholic, did not advance to Sunday's final in the 60. On DAY ONE in New York, Unionville senior Paul Springer ran 2nd in the 5000, going 14:51.07. Steve Murdoch of NY took 1st. West Catholic's Simone Carter advanced in the 60 dash with a 7.84. Kashif Thompson of Archbishop Ryan moved on in the 60 hurdles, going 8.36. The Cardinal O'Hara boys were 7th in the 1600 Sprint Medley Relay, running 3:33.32.

(North Penn takes 2nd in the 4x800 - Photo by Maroon News of NJ)

 

On DAY TWO of the NIKE INDOOR NATIONALS in Maryland, Chanelle Price set a meet record in the 800, winning in 2:07.43. Shaniel Chambers of Chester was 5th in 2:14.36. Elliot Rhodes of Germantown Academy was 4th in the 800. Karen Shump of Penncrest, was runner-up again in the shot put. And Weston Banks of Hempfield, took 2nd in the boys' shot put. Cheltenham's Brandon Bing was 5th in the 200. Glen Mills' Reuben Aimes was 6th in the long jump. Also earning all-American honors were Great Valley and Baldwin in the boys' 4x800. Great Valley was 3rd and Baldwin, 6th. William Tennent's James Pittinger took 6th in the high jump. Abby Schaffer, Easton, took 6th in the pole vault. Ryann Krais advanced to the semis of the 60 hurdles, but missed by .02 at 8.70 in advancing to the finals. In the 60 dash, Jasmine Russ of Franklin High in Philly, and Kristen Arnold of Downingtown West each advanced to the semis, but both missed the final. PA 3000 champs Carly Seymour and Jason Weller were 9th and 11th, respectively, in the 2-mile run. On DAY ONE in Maryland, Ryann Krais, Methacton, set a meet record and recorded the #3 all-time prep Pentathlon with 3715 point, six better than Gayle Hunter scored in 2004. She won the 60 hurdles, high jump, long jump and 800, and tied for 2nd in the shot put for a total of 3715 points. Germantown Academy's Alex Holcombe tied for 3rd in the boy's Pentathlon, taking 6th in the 60 hurdles, 4th in the long jump, 2nd in the shot put, 13th in the high jump, and 5th in the 1000 meter run, for a total 3966 points. The West Chester Henderson boys won the DMR, with Baldwin taking 5th, and Great Valley 8th. The Easton girls won the SMR in a US#1 time (All-Time #4), as Chester took 4th. In the 5000, two Pennsylvanians earned all-American status as Kassie Meholick of Cedar Cliff and Katherine Ward of State College ran 5th and 6th, respectively. Germantown Friends ran to a 4th place finish in the 4xmile, while Saint Basil's Academy captured 6th. Both captured all-American honors. No PA athletes advanced in the 400. Ijeoma Iheoma of Council Rock South was the top PA runner for the girls, and Russell Dinkins of Philadelphia was 19th. 

 

Flash Results from NIN

 

Live Results from NIN

 

Results from NSIC 
 

 

3/3 WKND: Hambrick, Larkin sweep shot in Akron. Schaa, Fapohunda, Meholiick, Mills, Campolon @ Kent Don Rich Mar 03, 2007

Highlighting the weekend... On Saturday, PA shot putters ventured to Ohio for another meet, and came away with wins in both the girls and boys competitions at the AKRON LAST CHANCE RUBBER CITY OPEN. North Allegheny's Jade Hambrick and Garrett Larkin were the victors. Sean Gil, North Allegheny, took 2nd in the pole vault, and Pine-Richland's Zach Meverden was 3rd. North Allegheny's Kristen Zeleznik took 3rd in the girls pole vault.  In day one of the KENT STATE HS OPEN #3, Wunmi Fapohunda of Gateway, won long jump. Cedar Cliff's Kassie Meholick was 2nd in the 3200. Central Cambria's Carly Seymour ran 3rd in the mile. Da'Lynn Mills of Seneca Valley was 2nd in the 200 and 5th in the 55 dash. On Sunday, Weston Schaa of Mercer won the high jump. Pole vaulters Andrew Campolongo and Jared George were 2nd and 3rd, respectively.

Paul Springer says what he\'s gonna run, and runs what he says. Any questions? Don Rich Feb 28, 2007

\"\"Paul Springer never exaggerates. Sometimes to others it may sound that way, but if you look at his recent history, he is right on. He said he would break 15 minutes at Lehigh in the District 1 Championship. He ran 14:47. He said he would be a Foot Locker Finalist. He was. And heading into the PTFCA Indoor Championships, he said he would set a meet record for the mile. He did.

So where does this confidence come from? Well, it begins from within, of course... but it also comes from a process and an approach to the sport he has embraced from his coach of two years, Bill Moss. Moss can easily be mistaken for one of the athletes (I did the first time I met him). But his wisdom about what not to do... which he has translated into what to do, is well beyond his years.

Weston Banks has the throw of his life on the last one. Ryann Krais puts sportsmanship first (again) Don Rich Feb 27, 2007

\"\"Weston Banks goes from a 175 lb frosh to a 62'02.75" thrower. Ryann Krais' doesn't win one of her specialties... and is happy for the girl that beat her. No, really!


Hempfield's Weston Banks joined the 60-foot club on a perfect day. His throw of 62-02.75 - US#5 mark - eclipsed his outdoor PR of 59-04.25 and his recently set indoor PR of 59-03 by a lot. The throw was not entirely unexpected.

Mechacton's Ryann Krais had a great meet as well, winning the 400, taking the long jump, and anchoring the 4x400 to a come-from-behind 2nd place. She also took 2nd in the 60 hurdles. That is where the story gets interesting.

 

2/24 WKND: T&F icon Tim Hickey called it \"the greatest individual indoor performance ever in PA\". Don Rich Feb 24, 2007

\"\"Highlighting the weekend... At the 2007 PTFCA Indoor State Champs @ Penn State University, Chanelle Price puts on a show termed "greatest indoor PA performance ever. The record will show that Easton won the girls team title. And the word team applies. It's never a one person achievement. But the record will also show that one athlete put on a performance that few who witnessed will ever forget. Fellow junior star Ryann Krais led her team to 2nd by taking two individual events and a runner-ups in a third individual and a relay.

Jason Weller of Boyertown attempted, survived and thrived in a previously impossible distance triple. McDowell win the boys' title. Highlighting the rest of the weekend... also on Saturday at the WV FLYERS INDOOR MEET #3, Katherine Ward of State College finished 2nd in the 3200. Tim Wertner of Greencastle-Antrim took 1st in the 1600 and 2nd in the 3200. State College's Rick Koubek was 2nd in the 1600. Bethany Walker of Ellwood City, took 3rd in the 1600. On Tuesday night at the 70th EASTERN STATES CHAMPIONSHIPS @ the NY Armory, Cheltenham senior Brandon Bing followed up his US#1 21.52 at PTFCA States with a 3rd place finish three days later in NY. Hatboro-Horsham's Joe Berry improved on states, good for 2nd in a jump-off. LaSalle College HS was 3rd in the 4x800.

 

2/17 WKND: Easton, Price on fire in NY|PA#1\'s all over, incl. LJ, 60H, 800, TJ, SP, Relays + more Don Rich Feb 16, 2007

\"\"Highlighting the weekend... Chanelle Price (right: winning her US#3 400 in NY - photo by John Nepolitan, Dyestat.com), and Easton moved up the national lists with a remarkable display at the PEPSI NATIONAL HS HALL OF FAME CLASSIC at the New York Armory, winning the 4x400 in a US#3 and meet record time. Easton also won the Sprint Medley Relay in a US#1 time, but was DQ'ed because Price had run in three events. The 3rd event was at the invitation of meet management, where she took the open 400 in a US#3 mark. Steph Fulmer, St. Pius X, won the 2-mile. Norristown's Gabrielle Rinehart was 2nd in the shot put. Pottsgrove's Darin Carter won the triple jump. Peter Selby, Norristown, took 2nd in the 55 hurdles. And Liberty's Becky Frey took 2nd in the pole vault with a big indoor PR. At the 42ND TFCAGP MEET OF CHAMPIONS on Saturday, Jamar Jones posted a PA#2 in the 800. Five guys went under 2. Boyertown teammates Jason Weller and Mark Dennin went one-two in the 3000. O'Hara's Steve Werner posted two PA#1's, going over 23' in the long jump, and under 8.40 in the 60 hurdles. Coatesville won the 4x400 from the next-to-last heat, while North Penn pulled off the same next-to-last heat win in the 4x800. Henderson ran well in the DMR in a race in which Weller came from way back to help Boyertown get 2nd with a 4:20 split. Wayne Crawford of Chestnut Hill Academy upped his PA-leading shot put standard. Cheltenham's Brandon Bing lost for the first time this season in the dash as he was nipped by Penn Charter's Kashif Smith. Bing did win the 200 in 21.96. At the PENN STATE HS INVITATIONAL, Central Dauphin senior Andrew Rotz apparently has his running legs under him after shaking off a season of basketball. He posted a PA#1 in the 800. The Harrisburg boys put it all together in the sprint relays, going just under 3:22 in the 4x400 and just over 1:30 in the 4x200. The Harrisburg girls ran well to take 2nd to Maryland's Eleanor Roosevelt in the 4x200. They also took 2nd to Roosevelt in the 4x400. Ryann Krais anchored Methacton was 3rd. Krais took 4th in the open 400. Hughesville's Rebekah Newhart cleared a PA-leading 5-06 in the high jump. And Karen Shump, Penncrest, was over 48' again in the shot put. The DMR's picked up the pace at the TSTCA INDOOR CHAMPIONSHIPS on Friday night at Slippery Rock. as Norwin's girls were under 13 and Baldwin's boys broke 10:50. Hempfield's Kimberly Kanala put practice into performance with a PR over 41' in the shot put. With quite a few teams drawn to the banked tracks of Saturday's Penn State HS Invitational, and another big meet at the NY Armory, the field was not as crowded as many DVGTCA MEET OF CHAMPIONS in the past. But the quality, as expected, is still there. Methacton's Ryann Krais tuned up for her four-event plan at States with some incredible performances, running a PR and PA#1 in the 60 hurdles. Just prior to the finals, she took her one an only long jump, and came up with a season-PR. But her anchor leg of the 4x200 final was probably the most impressive performance of the night, where she split sub-25 to come back from more than 20 meters to nip Swenson at the line by just .01. Swenson's star frosh Shanae Bailey was a double title winner in her first MOC, taking the 60 and 60 hurdles. Engineering & Science looked strong in the 4x800, going a PA#5. They also took 2nd to Chester in the 4x400. Stephanie McDougal, North Penn had another great jump heading into states. And Archbishop Ryan's Nohjay Nimpson PRed by 7" (indoor or outdoor) in the triple jump to a PA#1 mark. Archbishop Prendergast moved up to PA#4 in the DMR. The Tuesday night TSTCA HIGH JUMP MEET was cancelled because of the snow and ice. Danielle Wasilewski of Abington Heights won the 55 dash at the BLOOMSBURG UNIVERSITY INDOOR MEET #3. She took 2nd in the 200 to teammatae Nicole Smith. Abington Heights' Kim Meyer won the 800 and mile double, as did teammate Corey Wall. On Saturday at the SUSQUEHANNA OPEN at Susquehanna University, Neely Spence won the mile, while Lara Crofford and Marie Lamparter went one-two in the 3000. On Sunday at the 1st STATE INDOOR TRACK CLASSIC at the University of Delaware, Schuylkill Valley's Devan Coon took 2nd in the 17-18 age group in both the 200 and 400. Kasia Taylor of Engineering & Science won the 15-16 800 and 1500. Aubrie McAlpine of Daniel Boone took 2nd in the 17-18 55 and 6th in the 200.

The 60\' Shot Put Club is small because the distance is huge. Don Rich Feb 14, 2007

\"\"Try picking up the guy's 16 lb. shot put and imagine getting it out to 60'. That's right, for most of us, it is a distance that will remain right there... in our imaginations. Even in shot put-deep Pennsylvania, it is a distance that does not happen for a lot of athletes. In fact, indoor or outdoor since indoor 2004, there have only been nine athletes to achieve the feat. It is that special. (left: Wayne Crawford, Chestnut Hill Academy; right: Joe Kovacs, Bethlehem Catholic - photos by Don Rich)

2/10 WKND: Springer-McDougal MRs, Bing wins 60+200, Krais wins 2, Easton rocks|Zarzeczny PA#2 m|PIX Don Rich Feb 09, 2007

\"\"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.

2/3 WKND: Spencer tops Burrell record|Crawford, Kovacs 60+ Shots|Weller 1st-Price 3rd @ Millrose Don Rich Feb 04, 2007

\"\" Highlighting the weekend... At Friday's MILLROSE GAMES, Boyertown's Jason Weller wins the boys invitatonal mile in 4:15.81. Easton junior Chanelle Price finished 3rd in 4:53.99. Also on Friday, Methacton's Ryann Krais improved her state-leading 55 hurdles time at the DVGTCA INDOOR MEET #7 at Kutztown. Downingtown East moved into PA#2 in the 4x800. Karen Shump of Penncrest continued her quest for 50 with another big throw. On Thursday evening at the GLEN MILLS BOYS INVITATIONAL, Henderson's Chris Ferry went blazing to 800. Glen Mills' Semaj Spencer was already first in PA in two events, and he put those marks in the long and triple jumps further out of reach. Glen Mills' Bernard Goodwyn moved into PA#3 in the 400. Also on Friday, at the WV FLYERS INDOOR #2, Canon McMillan's Jeren Matthews had a big night, winning the 400 and the long jump. He was 4th in the 60 dash, which was won by Brashear's Jeren DeBardelaben. Penn Hill's Taelor Fowler took the girls' 60, with Laurel Highland teammates Aleesha Washington and Breehana Jacobs 2nd and 3rd, respectively. Jacobs also won the 200, and Penn Hills took the 4x400. And at the SLIPPERY ROCK HS INVITATIONAL #2, there were some big shot puts from both the boys and the girls... Wes Banks of Hempfield, fighting through a back injury, threw over 59' in the trials. Grove City's Kristy Woods was nearing 42', and Altoona's Lynette Howard and Jade Hambrik of North Allegheny, were both over 40'. On Saturday at the finals of the COLGATE WOMEN'S GAMES, Syeeda Gee of Engineering & Science took 2nd in the finals of the 1500. On Saturday at Kutztown's GILL ATHLETICS MEET, Bethlehem Catholic's Joe Kovac's is ovewr 60' shot put is PA#2. Easton ran a PA#2 4x800 with Chanelle Price anchoring in 2:12. Price came back to win the 400 in a PA#1 time. Abbie Schaffer of Easton won the pole vault, with Kerry McDermott of Bethlehem Catholic PRing with the same height. Casey Krause of Cedar Crest moved into PA#4 in the long jump. On Saturday at the NEW BALANCE COLLEGIATE INV, Bradford's boys finished 6th in the 4x800 after a week in which two of the guys battled the flu. Chester's Shaniel Chambers was 5th in the 1000. At the TFCAGP D1 INDOOR MEET #9 @ Lehigh, Cheltenham's Brandon Bing continued to race well, posting 22-high in the 200. Upper Dublin improved their seasons-best time in the DMR. Council Rock South's Brian Smith PRed and moved into a tie for PA#3 in the pole vault. Joe Berry of Hatboro-Horsham took 2nd at the same height. Jay Pittenger of William Tennent has the top six high jumps in the state this season. Also at Lehigh in the TFCAGP D2 INDOOR MEET #9 Chestnut Hill Academy's Wayne Crawford took over PA#1 in the shot put with a meet record throw that had stood since 1987. At the POREDA INVITATIONAL @ Lawrenceville School in NJ, Charell Mack of the Hill School, long jumped over 18', which is a strong PA#2. On Sunday at the KENT STATE HS OPEN #2, Central Cambria's Carly Seymour went sub-11 to win the 3200, a PA #1 mark. Ambridge Area's Jonathan Kowal moved into PA#3 in the 55 hurdles. Also on Sunday, at the SUSQUEHANNA INDOOR HIGH SCHOOL CLASSIC, Chambersburg's Corey Groves joined the sub-2 group in the 800, with Unionville's Paul Springer 2nd at just over 2 seconds. Springer did win the mile in a PA#3 time. On Monday night in New York at the Armory at the RIDGEWOOD VARSITY CLASSIC, Glen Mills' Semaj Spencer moved to within 5.5 inches of US#1 in the triple jump. 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. At the SLIPPERY ROCK ALL-COMERS MEET #2, Sean Gil of North Allegheny cleared a solid PA#2 for the 2nd time this season. Natalie Bower of Latrobe captured the 1600.

Photo: Vince McNally, Conestoga Valley, goes 4:25.83 to win the 1600 at Gill.
(photo by Don Rich)

1/27 WKND: PIX/VID from TSTCA|Crofford-Seymour hot 3K\'s @ different meets|Great miles by Bair,Koons Don Rich Jan 25, 2007


Diana Filtz, Penn Trafford, wins 3000 @ TSTCA in 10:45.4
Highlighting the weekend... At the TSTCA INDOOR MEET #3 at Slippery Rock, the Bradford boys prepped for next week\'s big 4x800 in NY with a win in the 4x400. In the interim, they took 2nd at Akron on Saturday in the 4x800. (Cam Stauffer anchored the Seneca Valley DMR to an 11:10.7 win.) + PHOTO GALLERY POSTED + VIDEO OF MOST SPRINT FINALS. Also at the Fri meet, Diana Filtz, Penn Trafford, won the 3000 and doubled back to take the 800. Scott Van Kooten, Pittsburgh Central Catholic, went sub-9 to win the boys 3000. Shaler swept the 4x800\'s. Alexandra Acker, McDowell took the pole vault. Baldwin\'s girls won the DMR and Seneca Valley, the boys. Another two 5-5 high jumpers join two others at the top of the PA list at Wednesday\'s ALBRIGHT COLLEGE HS INVITE #3. At the DELCO BOYS INDOOR CHAMPIONSHIPS at Glen Mills, Strath Haven\'s Rob Speare won the 3000 and anchored the winning DMR. Glen Mills sophomore Semaj Spencer continued to excel in the long and triple jumps. Teammate Bernard Goodwyn won the 200 by holding off Cardinal O\'Hara\'s Steve Werner by a nose. Werner did win the 55 and the 55 Hurdles, and take 2nd in the 200. At the NYRR THURSDAY NIGHT AT THE RACES in New York, Germantown Friends runners made the trek worth the effort. At the BISON OPEN at Bucknell University, Lara Crofford took over the top spot in the state in the 3000. She also posted a strong mile. Schuylkill Valley\'s Devan Coon moved into PA#2 in two events. At the PENN STATE NATIONAL INVITATIONAL, another near-miss at the sub 4 mile by Shaler grad and Pitt junior Sam Bair III Allentown Central Catholic grad Frances Koons, a Villanova junior, won the mile in an NCAA auto qualifier time. Bair\'s time was provisional. At the TFCAGP D2 INDOOR MEET #8 at Widener, the events that start inside and go outside were quick and Wissahickon Wissahickon won the 4x800 in a meet record time to go with their DMR win. At the TFCAGP D1 INDOOR MEET #8 @ Glen Mills Schools, Boyertown moved to PA#6 in the Distance Medley Relay, with Coatesville improving their PA#8. At the UNIVERSITY OF AKRON HS INVITE #1, Bradford followed up their Friday night 4x400 win at Slippery Rock with a 2nd place in the 4x800. Baldwin was 3rd. Sean Gil of North Allegheny took over PA#2 in the pole vault. In the Semi-Finals of the COLGATE WOMEN\'S GAMES at Pratt Institute in NY, Syeeda Gee of Engineering & Science, won the semi-finals of the 1500. At the FRANKLIN & MARSHALL HS INVITATIONAL #2, Central Cambria\'s Carly Seymour ran a solid PA#2 in the 3000. Coatesville\'s Kaleena Gray improved her PA#2 standing in the shot put. And Conestoga Valley junior Vince McNally became the 6th guy under nine minutes in the 3000. On Sunday at the SPORTSPLEX TRACK SHOWCASE MEET in Landover, MD, West Catholic athletes performed well.