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PA State Meet
Incredibly good things started to happen
by Don Rich
Somebody must have sensed that the karma in the place needed a bit of tweaking� because when the boys and girls warming up on separate poll vault runways were asked to switch places with each other, some incredibly good things started to happen at the Pennsylvania State Indoor Championships.
The meet, held at the newly opened Multi-Sport facility within the shadow of Beaver Stadium, showcased some of the nation's top talent. From the warm-up area with its comfortable astroturf, to the dual jump areas for every event, to the center sprint/hurdle lanes, to the fiber-optic-fast banked, hydraulically controlled 200 meter track, the athletes were inspired.
In the girls competition�
William Penn's Tasha Staten was named the meet's outstanding female athlete after three remarkable performances. With a #2, a #3, and as anchor of the new US#1 4 x 200 relay, Staten was impressive at every turn.
In the 4 x 200, Staten teamed with Christina Smith, Juanita Broaddus, and Tiffany Poole for a US#1 1:41.09. Penn ran a controlled race until Staten hit another gear at the final handoff, pulling away from Harrisburg and Chester to a new State Indoor meet record. The mark eclipsed the old state (or should we say 'team'?) record of 1:41.90 set by William Penn in 1991. Harrisburg was second at 1:43.62. Chester was third with a 1:43.82.
In the 200, Staten hammered to a US#3 with her 24.40. Tiffany Bradley, West Catholic, 24.68, with a new US #4 was second, followed by Jakki Bailey, Kennett , 24.88, new US #7, and Dominique Darden, Harrisburg, 24.98, new US #8.
Staten's 400 was just as impressive, with a new US#2 55.04. Once again, West Catholic's Tiffany Bradley followed Staten with her 55.51, new US#3. Super soph Danielle Rodgers, Penn Wood, notched a new US#4 with a 56.08. And the new US#8 belongs to Ruby Jackson, Chester, with a 56.73.
William Penn improved their time, but dropped from US#1 to #3 in 4 x 400 with 3:51.40. Gorgeous Harper, Madonna Patterson, Tyeshia Thomas and Christina Smith eclipsed the old state record of 3:53.71 set by Simon Gratz three years ago. Chester's 3:52.96 is a new US#4, and Harrisburg's 3:55.34 is a new US#7.
Pennridge senior Renee Gunning powered her way to a new US #2 in the mile, 4:58.63. Gunning ran a strategically sound race, taking the lead at the half from Penn Trafford's Kristin Price. Price had led from the 2nd lap. Price, Gunning, Maureen McCandless of Nazareth Academy, Katie Turner of Conestoga, and Carrie Hulko of North Allegeheny, had gone through the half together in 2:32.02. McCandless, who was second with a 5:05.19, is the new US #9, Price (5:06.60), and Turner (5:07.79) all ran NSI qualifiers.
Conestoga's distance specialists (Lindsay Renninger, Katie Turner, Kristin Mutzig, Ann Hansgate) ran to a new US#2 in 4 x 800 with a 9:23.90. Nazareth Academy used a first leg 2:18 to help separate a lead pack of four teams, that also included Pennridge. A slightly slower second leg helped keep the group together. On the third 800, Pennridge faded briefly before their anchor recovered to set up a final 200 duel with Conestoga and Nazareth. But Conestoga's Hansgate was too much in the final100, looking a lot like one of the strongest runners on a strong team, with an unofficial split under 2:18 for the win. Conestoga's time of 9:23.90 set a new state indoor meet record. Nazareth's 9:25.70, is a new US #4 and Pennridge's 9:26.90, new US #5.
With her 19'02", Talise Manuel, Oliver, long jumped to a new US#3.
Jakki Bailey of Kennett, sprinted to a new US#4 in 60 meter dash with a 7:59.
Hyleas Fountain, Central Dauphin East, moved to the new US#6 in the 60 Hurdles with her 8.86.
Lauren Shaffer, West Allegheny ran a smart race for a new US#4, 3000 with a10:14.76. Cross Country state champ and NC State-bound Josianne Lauber of Oxford set the early pace along with Julia Pudlin of Baldwin School. The two led a large group of runners through the first mile in 5:24. Lauber tried for a break just after the mile, which dropped one of the five runners in the lead pack. now including Shaffer, Pudlin and North Allegheny's Stephanie Madia. On the 10th lap, Shaffer made her move, and easily and steadily pulled away. Madia and Pudlin stretched their lead on Lauber. Pudlin's 10.19.19, is a new US#9, Madia's 10.20.78, a new US#10.
Emily Tharpe, McDowell, tied for the US#6 in pole vault with 12'0".
Lexi Benamati, Penn Manor, hit a new US#11 in shot put, 42'02.50"
In the girls 800, an obviously tired Danielle Rodgers, current US#4, who had run a new US# 4 400 earlier in the meet, survived a tight race to win in 2:16.54. Lindsay Scottoline of Archbishop Prendergast, grabbed 5th place for the meet with a hot 2:18.69 run from the second of three heats. Rodgers was running in 4th-5th most of the race, and was nearly tripped as she rounded turn two on the final lap. Cheryl Smith, North Penn, 2:16.72, new US#10, and Ann Hansgate, Conestoga, 2:16.99, were second and third, respectively. Jessica Miller of Pennsbury was fourth in 2:18.67, and Chester's Farren Benson, was sixth with a 2:18.99. Thirteen of the 25 competitors ran Dyestat Elite or better times.
Now its on to Eastern States for a few, and either the National Scholastic Indoor, or Nike Indoor Classic in mid-March for the country's best.
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In the boys competition�
Glen Mills wins the team title with victories in the 200, and 4 x 200 and 4 x 400 relays. Tyrone Diggs, who won the 200, finished second in the 60 meter dash, anchored the 4 x 200 and ran the second leg of the 4 x 400, was named the meet's outstanding male performer.
Dan Coval, Council Rock, takes over US#1 in the 3000 with 8:40.89. Shawn Cavanaugh, Mt. Lebanon, and Karl Dusen, Central Bucks East, US#6 and US#10, ran 8:50.95 and 8:52.58 respectively. Actually, the 3000 wasn't predicted to be as fast as recent years, with only two runners under 9:00 through this point in the season. A large pack went through the half in 2:19. The lead group at 3/4 of a mile consisted of eight runners, and included Coval in his usual wait-and-pounce position. By the end of the seventh lap, the pack was down to seven, with Coval content in fourth. He was only waiting, and made his move and took the lead as they approached the mile. Going through in 4:45, Coval (8:40.85) immediately stretched it out. Only Cavanaugh (8:50.95) and Larry Quinn (4th in 8:55.43) of Baldwin High School attempted to go with him. Three laps later, the lead was 25 meters. Dusen (8:52.58) made a move, passing Quinn and moving into third. Dusen and Cavanaugh closed rapidly and strongly in the final quarter.
North Penn's 4 x 800 quartet of Jim Farrow, Gerry Liebsch, Steve Craig, and Dan Michael, 7:55.61, ran to a new US#3. Archbishop Ryan, 7:58.91, is US#4 and Simon Gratz, 8:00.67-US#8,. The race was easily one of the most painful (for the runners) races of the day. Not a runner for the top teams held back, running a "if it doesn't kill me, I'll be happy" every lap. North Penn held a 30 meter lead starting the final leg, but Ryan used everything, and then more to close the gap to 5 meters as they entered the final 200. Unknown to both runners was a closing Gratz runner, who put his team into third with a blistering opening 400.
Joe Plevelich, West Chester Henderson, new US#4 in 800, 1:53.53, Pat Nash, Cardinal O'Hara, new US#8, 1:54.48�Tony Fulton, Central, 1:55.13, new US #9. Wes Ricci, Hatboro-Horsham,1:55.96, is a new US#10. Plevelich, Nash, and Fulton were the top three picks prior to the start, and they didn't disappoint. Plevelich showed the intelligence and strength of a very good four-lapper. Letting others take the pace early, he and Nash took the lead on the final lap. Plevelich's winning time set a new state indoor record, eclipsing North Penn's Matt Antunes 1:54.25 run two years ago.
Troy Roberson, William Tennent, ran a new US#5 in the 400, with a blistering 48.85. Terrance Day, Gratz,, 49.09, got a new US#10� doing it once again from a slower heat. (When will Roberson and Day meet head to head?)Day long jumps, and constantly has timing problems that limit his availability. The winning time erased the 48.95 meet record set last year by Bilal Motley of Chester. Roberson led the first 200 in 22.72, and looks back at Glen Mills' Curtis Smith on the final curve before pulling away. Roman's Travis Yancy ran injured.
Jesse Patterson, Cheltenham, the current US#4 in the 60 meter hurdles, won with an 8:13. Jamal Huff (8:19), West Catholic, was a close 2nd. Huff's (8.10) in the semis beats Patterson (8.13), but then loses in finals.
The boys 4 x 200 pitted some of the top teams in the US on a very fast track. Strath Haven and Glen Mills pushed the pace the first two legs as the first four teams in the final went under the old meet record of 1:30.92. The Glen Mills foursome of Curtis Smith, Bronte Mills, Bobby McCall, and Tyrone Diggs, grabbed the new US#4 with their winning 1:29.32. It topped the Glen Mills meet record of 1:30.92 set in 1998. Strath Haven's US#7 1:29.91, and Roman Catholic's, US#10, 1:30.36 showed not only talent, but the depth of area sprinting. Central was fourth with a 1:30.91.
Mike Major, Central, tied for US#9 in 60 meter dash with 6.93. Major (Central) and Tyrone Diggs (Glen Mills ), traded places in preliminaries and semis. Major wins over Diggs by .03 in the semis, and by .08 in the finals.
Neshaminy's Paul Hallman, obviously fully recovered from the serious hand and wrist injury of last fall, ran an impressive 4:16.71, new US#5, winning by two seconds over one of the pre-race favorites, Scott Munro (4:18.71, and new US#10) of South Park. Hallman was content to be a part of an early three man break with Munro, and Council Rock's Joe Weigner. Going through the half in just over 2:10, Munro and Hallman picked up the pace, with Weigner dropping back. With 300 to go, Hallman broke past Munro and quickly opened a 20 meter lead. Sean Duffy (4:20:53) of Cardinal O'Hara, who had been alone much of the race in 4th, passed Weigner with 250 meters left to finish third. North Penn's Dan Michael finished 4th with a 4:22.66. Hallman's 4:16.71, and Munro's 4:18.71, are the first two sub-4:20 miles in the state this winter. Duffy had run a 4:20:58 at the PA Track Carnival two weeks earlier. The first four all ran NSI qualifiers.
Tyrone Diggs, Glen Mills, garnered a new US#9 in the 200 with his 21.98. It broke the meet record set by Overbrook's Deworski dom in 1995. West Catholic's Jamal Huff (22.23) was good for second.
Kevin Dare, State College, pole vaults, 15'05". He is current US#6 with a 15'7" vault.
North Penn's Chris McKelvy, tied for US#8 in the shot at 58'10.25"
One of the more entertaining and exhilarating races of the day was the 4 x 400, where Glen Mills won a come-from-behind, and US#8, 3:23. Simon Gratz, US#9, was second with their 3:23.06. Bronte Mills, Tyrone Diggs, and Bobby McCall set the stage for Curtis Smith as he took the baton in third, catching Altoona first, and then Gratz at the wire for the win.
High Jumper Mike Newhard, Southern Lehigh (current US#3), won on fewer misses over Tekky Andrew-Jaja, Shady Side Academy, and Mike Lang, Haverford, all with top 10 US jumps of 6'8". The contest saw a down-to-the-wire, up-that-bar battle between national caliber leapers Newhard and Andrew-Jaja. It also saw the emergence of a new national caliber jumper in Haverford High's Mike Lang. Lang, a junior, had a PR of 6-4 entering the season, before jumping 6-5 early indoor. "I wanted to erase the school record of 6-7. I wanted to do it today, and I did. It felt great getting 6-8� but I had nothing left for 6-9." All three jumpers missed at 6-9.
Now it's on to Eastern States (Tuesday, 2/29), and the National Scholastic Indoor and the Nike Indoor Classic in mid-March.
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