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Penn Relays 2000
Penn Relays Preview
Individual Girls Events
by John Dye
Mile
With US#1 Alejandra Barrientos occupied in the relays, this race is up for grabs. It could be top seed Carre Joyce, Summerville SC, but she will be tested by two Puerto Rican entries -- Carmen Valdes and Lizaida Del Valle -- as well as solid regional threats with experience: Danielle Jelley NY, Allison Hofman NY, Kate Twarog NY, Chelsea Lange CT, and Renee Gunning PA.
3000
This could come down to a New York state championship type finish, with experienced troopers Jennifer Donovan, Jillian Mastroianni, Michelle Wale, Danielle Coon, Lisa Capello, Amy Manwaring, and Jen Kramer all on hand. Or, it could go to a seasoned midwestern representative like Sara Graybill KY or Alison Zeinner OH.
400m Hurdles
Sheena Johnson, the versatile UCLA-bound talent from Gar-Field VA, is the defending champion (58.61) and off to a very hot start this season. But she will have to be at her best to hold off Jamaicans who were 1-2 in the recent Jamaica championships: Andrea Bliss 58.23 and Patricia Hall 58.61. Also lurking in the wings is Sheena's northern Virginian rival Alyssa Aiken, of Chantilly VA, who posted a dazzling 58.06 in the US Junior Nationals prelims last year, second only in 1999 to 1999 US Athlete of the Year Lashinda Demus.
High Jump
The one to beat should be Harrisburg PA sr Hyleas Fountain, US 2000 outdoor leader at 5-11 and winner of the Nike Indoor Classic in March. There is worthy competition in Thomas Jefferson VA jr Krystle Moss, 5-10 already this year; VA's Jennifer Nelms, 1999 national outdoor champion, and daughter of former Washington Redskins football star Mike Nelms.
Long Jump
No obvious favorite among a bunch of Eastern US leaders: Paula George NY, Rolanda Howard MD, Talisse Manuel PA, Brandi Hogan PA, and Marie Giles VA.
Triple Jump
Blessing Ofodiama, of the Long Beach Poly CA powerhouse team, comes east to seek the title. She has a US#2 41-1.75 mark to her credit this year. Top opposition is Jamaican Althea Chambers, who won the Jamaican national title with a 40-9.75 leap. Also in the hunt could be Easterners Nicole Toney CT and Shenae Dawkins NY.
Pole Vault
One of the most interesting and competitive events of the meet. Defending champion is Samantha Shepard, the Weston MA wunderkind who is just a sophomore but has been vaulting over 12 feet for 3 years. Her Penn Relays record 12-2 winning mark in 1999 might not be enough this year as there are a bunch of 12-foot vaulters on hand: Jeff Robbins Air Time club teammate Molly Lederman MA, Amy Linnen NY, Kim Stuyvesant PA, and Emily Tharpe PA. Just behind this group are more contenders: Caroline Rebello CA, Jamie Kolar CA, Charlotte LaRoche VA, Andrea Li MA, Lauren Graff MD, and Chelsea Connolly CA. The US record could fall.
Shot Put
The class of the field is Laura Gerraughty, Nashua NH jr who was the US leader indoors this year and winner of the Nike Indoor Classic.
Discus Throw
Wide open field of Eastern US throwers, with no obvious favorite.
Javelin Throw
Top seed Natasha Reynolds, Warren PA sr, was a national leader in 1999 and may prevail.
