Craig leads Brad through the 400 with a look of anticipation
as he heads into the headwinds alone for the 2nd of four times.
Photo Gallery by Don Rich of the 4/1 Bruce Dallas Invitational @ Cumberland Valley HS
Select Pix by Ryan Comstock from the 4/1 Central League Relays at Haverford Township HS
Weekend Highlights:It was Miller time in the 1600 as Craig and Brad went 1-2, showing what used to pass for end-of-season form. Craig posted a Meet Record 4:13.51, with Brad 2nd in 4:21.22. Cumberland Valley swept both the boys' and girls' titles with two of the 13 meet records. Reading's Jazmin Hunt owned two of those in her three wins, while CV's Juan Steward also took two wins at the 5th Bruce Dallas Inv. Laurel Highlands' Breehana Jacobs contributed two individual wins, a 25.47 meet record in the 200, and a 12.38 in the 100... plus helped the Laurel Highlands 4x100 take the TSTCA title in 50.80. Bradford's Erin Hannon was busy as usual, and got off a great Long Jump of 18-07.50 as one of her three wins at the TSTCA Champs. The Female Track Athlete at the 1st Tim Cook Tri-State T&F Inv was Chambersburg frosh Anyssa Barbour, who won the 100 in 12.5 and the 200 in 25.8. At the Plymouth-Whitemarsh Colonial Relays, Simon Gratz liked the track so much last week, they came back for more. The guys liked it even better this week, setting meet records in the 4x100 in 43.30 and the 4x200 at 1:29.94. They also took 2nd in the 4x400, going 3:27.51 to the 3:27.31 meet record by Archbishop Wood. Anchored by Ryann Krais, Methacton set a meet record of 50.65 in winning the 4x100, and Krais teamed with Laura Bomgardner to set a meet record in taking the Long Jump Relay, combining for 35'10".
Reading's Jazmin Hunt set a meet record of 14.88 in the 100 Hurdles,
set another with a leap of 16-09 in the Long Jump, and won the High Jump at 5-0.
Methacton was 2nd to a meet record 1:47.11 by Cardinal O'Hara in the 4x200. At the John Waggoner Inv at Solanco HS, Sequoia McBall of Coatesville was a triple winner for the girls, winning the Long Jump (15-4), Triple Jump (35-5) and High Jump(5-0), while Alex Trembly of Downingtown East was a triple winner in boys competition, winning the 100 in 11.0, the 200 in 23.0, and taking the Long Jump with a leap of 19-8. This early in the season, a 10:57.1 3200 is noteworthy. It was deliverd by Strath Haven's Lisa Vienneau. The Conestoga girls posted a very quick DMR at 12:24.4 at the Central League Relays. At the Chestnut Hill Academy Inv, Penn Charter set meet records in the 4x100, and another in the 4x200. At the Council Rock Kiwanis Invitational, Council Rock North's Keith Capecci must have been saving his energy for an unusual distance double. His times earned him athlete of the meet as he took the 3000 in 9:02.3 and the 5000 in 15:34.1. They went looking for gems and came away with gold at the Diamond State Relays. The girls of West Catholic ran away with three sprint relays, taking the 4x100 in 49.70, the 4x200 in 1:44.12 and the 4x400 in 3:58.56. Iroquois' Nicole Wilson, General McLane's Lindsay Petri and Fort Leboeuf's Kari Hedderick were all double champs at the Fairview Kiwanis Inivitational. Springfield Montco won the boys team title by 24 points over Pottstown thanks to three wins by Duri Green and a strong 4x800. If Rachel Gehret's first meet is any indication, then she is ready for some special performances. Remember, it was cold and windy in the mountains of Altoona at the aptly named Igloo Invitational. Gehret started her year with a 5-06 High Jump, 18-09.50 Long Jump, and 37-10.25 Triple Jump. AA State XC Champs Carly Seymour of Central Cambria won the distance double. Hollidaysburg's Jenn McConnell won the Shot Put and the Discus. In the boys' competition, Altoona has some wheels this year in the sprints and middle distance.The Kutztown boys got off to a fast start in the 4x100, going 44.41. They also took the 4x200, 4x400 and 4x800 in AA competition and won the team title at the Oxenreider Relays. Oley Valley won the girls' AA. In AAA, North Penn (Philly's North Penn) swept the team championships. Trinity of the Harrisburg area, swept the Small School competition at the White Rose Invitational, while only a single point kept Milton Hershey from sweeping the Large School competition, as the Red Lion boys proved victorious. Yes, you read right, Milton Hershey agreed to jump up to the Large Schools for this meet. Made little difference, though. There were double events winners at every turn of the track and area of the field at the Harold Phillips Invitational at Carlisle HS. Big Spring's Amanda Raudabaugh won the 400 and 800 in 2:26.3. Teammate Sam Wall took the Discus and the Shot Put. Boiling Springs had two double champs, as Mary Dell in the sprints and Anna Bixler owned the hurdles. Carlisle's Tyreese Marshall also pulled off a sprint double. And the girls' 3200 was strong, as well.
3/30: Hollidaysburg Co-Ed JR High Relays @ Hollidaysburg HS:
4/1: 5th Bruce Dallas Invitational @ Cumberland Valley HS:
Photo Gallery by Don Rich of the 4/1 Bruce Dallas Invitational @ Cumberland Valley HS
Cumberland Valley's Juan Stewaard won the 100 in 11.59
and the 200 in 22.69, plus ran on the 3:28.54 4x400 that set a meet record.
On the cold, blustery, cloudy day sandwiched between 75 sunny degrees and 65 sunny degrees, the athletes, coaches, family and fans who bundled up in the stands were witness to talent rarely seen in a meet. The Bruce Dallas Invitational must be blessed. In 2004, Ryan Whiting passed through on his way to what is sure to be a great career in college and beyond. Yesterday, it was the Miller twins' turn. Cumberland Valley coach Bill Bixler knows that his meet, while cursed by weather in five years (snow, monsoon, winds, but no locusts), has had a two-year run worth all the shivers. Racing after their first full winter of mileage between cross country and outdoor, Wisconsin-bound Craig Miller and Syracuse-bound Brad Miller put on a show in the 1600. "No speed work yet, obviously" notes Manheim Township assistant coach Terry Lee. "We just wanted to let them run hard today to see where their training is."
It's lookin' good. Craig took off from the gun and came through in 63.5, with Brad just a half second back. Craig continued to extend his lead, splitting the half in 2:05.5, with Brad through in 2:09.8. Brad had company though, in up-and-coming sophomore Chris Aldrich of West Chester Henderson, who took over 2nd place for the 3rd lap. Craig came through the 1200 in 3:10, with Brad and Aldrich at 3:15.8. Holding his form and after fighting the wind on the early turns for four laps, Craig split 64.0 for a 4:13.51. Brad pulled away from Aldrich to go 4:21.22, with Aldrich just over two seconds back in 4:23.32. Mark this one as "wh" for wind-hampered. For a little perspective, 4:13.51 is under two seconds off Craig's winning state title time in 2005, a race in which Brad took 5th in under 4:18. And for the record, the winning time set a new meet record, breaking the 2004 mark set by Lewisburg star Chris Spooner at 4:18.53. Spooner is now making his mark at Duke.
But these weren't the only stellar performances of the meet. In fact, the boys set five additional records, while the girls set seven. And Brad wasn't the only Syracuse-bound athlete to be involved. After finishing 4th in the 1600 in 4:28.02, Duriel Hardy of West Chester East came back to race a reasonably fresh soon-to-be-Orangeman, Curtis Bixler of Cumberland Valley. Bixler had raced in the 4x800, the first event of the day. Hardy and Bixler separated from the rest quickly, with Hardy sitting on Bixler's shoulder most of the way (might as let the taller guy lead into the wind, huh?). The race really began on the last lap when Hardy opened a 3-4 meter gap on Bixler through the final turn. Bixler fought back and passed Hardy on the final straight. It appeared he would hold his advantage, but a late push by Hardy caught Bixler at the line. Both had broken the 9:32.93 meet record set in 2003 by East Pennsboro's Ryan Blood, going 9:32.33, 9:32.45, respectively.
Cumberland Valley's David Stonfer set a meet record in the 400, going 50.52, and then came back to anchor the CV 4x400 to a 3:28.54 meet record and win. Cumberland Valley also captured the 4x800, running 8:24.21. CV's Juan Steward was a double individual champ, taking the 100 in 11.28, and edging Stonfer in the 200, 22.69 to 22.85. Cedar Crest hurdler Tobias Robinson ran a quick 14.96 to win the 110 Hurdles. And in the boys' field events, it was McKenzy Rene of Cedar Crest setting a meet record Triple Jump of 43-10.
Reading's Jazmin Hunt had a huge three-win day, setting two meet records by going 14.88 to win the 100 Hurdles, and long-jumping 16-09. She also captured an into-the-wind High Jump at 5-0. Lewisburg's Casey Miller had a great day as well, setting a meet record of 5:15.20 in a solo effort in the 1600, and coming back to nearly catch Emmaus' Melissa Meade in the 3200, losing by just 11:27.30 to 11:28.30, both marks breaking the old meet record. Julia Green of Emmaus cleared 10-06 in setting a meet record in the Pole Vault. The Lewisburg 4x100 set a meet record of 50.83 in the 4x100. And in the 400, Central Dauphin's Katie Rowell went 1:00.44 to set a new meet record.
Cumberland Valley won both team titles, taking the girls with 129 points, 28 ahead of Central Dauphin... while the boys garnered 136 points, 46 up on Manheim Township.
4/1: Central League Relays @ Haverford Township HS: This early in the season, a 10:57.1 3200 is noteworthy. It was deliverd by Strath Haven's Lisa Vinneau. The Conestoga girls posted a very quick DMR at 12:24.4 (Shanley 4:04, A Niness 59.5, C. Niness 2:18.0, Costello 5:03). Seven girls teams were under 52.0 behind the winning 49.8 by Lower Merion. The Radnor girls went 9:57.3 to take the 4x800. In the field, Karen Shump of Penncrest threw 40-10, and also won the Discus with a throw of 107-01. Joe Massimo won the Javelin with a toss of 161-0.
4/1: Chestnut Hill Academy Invitational @ Chestnut Hill Academy: Penn Charter set a meet record of 43.4 in the 4x100, and another in the 4x200, going 1:30.1, both anchored by Kamal Marell. In the DMR, Malvern Prep ran a meet record 11:03.2, and Julian McFadden of Chestnut Hill Academy went 21-5 for a meet record.
4/1: Council Rock Kiwanis Invitational @ Council Rock North HS: Council Rock North's Keith Capecci was saving his energy for an unusual distance double. His times earned him athlete of the meet as he took the 3000 in 9:02.3 and the 5000 in 15:34.1, missing the meet record by just 4/10th of a second. John Gibson of Central Bucks South went 10.7 to win the 100. North's Chad Sargeant won the 400 in 49.7 and took second in the 200 in 22.7. Neshaminy went 3:28.7 in the 4x400 and 44.1 in the 4x100. And Pennsbury's Branan threw the Javelin 164-8 for the win.
4/1: Diamond State Relays AI duPont HS: 4/1: Diamond State Relays AI duPont HS: They went looking for gems and came away with gold in the relays. The girls of West Catholic ran away with three sprint relays, taking the 4x100 in 49.70, the 4x200 in 1:44.12 and the 4x400 in 3:58.56. Norristown's Gabriella Reinhart won the Shot Put with a toss of 38-00.75, while teammate Vernay Wms-Henley took 3rd in the Shot, and won the Discus with her 122-06 throw. The Norristown boys won the 4x200 in 1:31.20. Glen Mills took the 4x100 Shuttle Hurdle Relay in 1:03.72. Glen Mill's Nathan Stewart threw the Shot Put 57-01.75 for the win.
4/1: Fairview Kiwanis Invitational @ Fairview HS: Iroquois' Nicole Wilson threw the Discus 125-0 for a win, and also captured the Shot Put with a throw of 34-9. Other double winners included General McLane's Lindsay Petri taking the 800 in 2:33.7 and the 1600 in 5:34.8, along with Fort Leboeuf's Kari Hedderick in the 100 in 13.2 and the 400 in 1:05.4. Brittany Maun cleared 5-5 to win the High Jump, while Harborcreek's Stephen Blose won the Pole Vault with a 13-6 clearance.
4/1: Harold Phillips Invitational @ Carlisle HS: There were double events winners at every turn of the track and area of the field. Big Spring's Amanda Raudabaugh won the 400 in 1:01.2 and the 800 in 2:26.3. Teammate Sam Wall took the Discus with a toss of 144-11 and the Shot Put, going 48-07.50. Boiling Springs had two double champs, as Mary Dell wrapped up the sprints with a 13.0 100 and 27.6 200. Teammate Anna Bixler owned the hurdles, going 18.2 for 100 and 53.4 for 300. Carlisle's Tyreese Marshall also pulled off a sprint double, taking the 100 in 11.4 and the 200 in 23.8. In the distances, Big Spring's Lara Crofford won the 3200 in 11:30 as Boiling Spring's Kara Millhouse took 2nd in 11:48.8. Millhouse had captured the 1600 earlier in the meet, running 5:22.6. In the Shot Put, two Carlisle girls were the class of the field. Emily Carothers won with a throw of 36-0 as teammate Kasey James took 2nd with her 35-00.50 toss. And Greenwood's Jordan Myers started his 2006 Javelin campaign with a nice throw of 186-08.
4/1: Hill School Relays @ The Hill School: Springfield Montco won the boys team title by 24 points over Pottstown. Ben Nieto, Ben Ashton, Michael Vido, and Matlack Gillin contributed a win in the 4x800, going 8:18.4. Teammate Duri Green had three wins, the Javelin with a throw of 169-7, the Shot Put at 47-4, and the Discus with a toss of 132-2.
4/1: Igloo Invitational @ Altoona HS: It's spring, the time of year we welcome back those athletes who enjoy and excel in other sports (yes, there are other sports other than track...) One such athlete is Rachel Gehret, the Altoona star who is now in her senior year. If her first meet is any indication, then she is ready for some special performances. Remember, it was cold and windy in the mountains of Altoona. "At least it didn't snow" is how Altoona's Tom Musselman described the weather. Gehret started her year with a 5-06 High Jump, 18-09.50 Long Jump, and 37-10.25 Triple Jump. AA State XC Champs Carly Seymour of Central Cambria won the distance double, going 5:14.19 for 1600 and 11:06.75 for 3200, both nice early season efforts. Hollidaysburg's Jenn McConnell won the Shot Put with a throw of 39-6 and the Discus, going 122-11. In the boys' competition, Altoona has some wheels this year in the sprints and middle distance. AJ Alexander posted a very quick 10.98 in the 100 and 22.10 for 200. Remember, it was cold. Sprinters don't like cold. Also contributing to the Altoona cause this season will be Adam Noel, who won the 400 in 51.89; Darrell Morris who won both hurdles, the 110 in 15.41 and the 300 in 40.56. For good measure, Altoona took the 4x199 in 43.13, the 4x400 in 3:32.94 and a virtually solo 4x800 in 8:21.61.
4/1: John Waggoner Invitational Solanco HS: 4/1: John Waggoner Invitational Solanco HS: Sequoia McBall of Coatesville was a triple winner for the girls, winning the Long Jump (15-4), Triple Jump (35-5) and High Jump(5-0), while Alex Trembly of Downingtown East was a triple winner in boys competition, winning the 100 in 11.0, the 200 in 23.0, and taking the Long Jump with a leap of 19-8. The team titles went ot Downingtwon East for the boys with Lampeter Strasburg second, and Coatesville winning the girls competition and Garden Spot second.
4/1: Knight Relays @ Lake Lehman HS: (Not held in 2006. May return in 2007)
4/1: Oxenreider Relays @ Muhlenberg HS: The Kutztown boys got off to a fast start in the 4x100, going 44.41. They also took the 4x200, 4x400 and 4x800 in AA competition and won the team title. Oley Valley won the girls' AA. In AAA, North Penn (Philly's North Penn) swept the team championships. Kaitlyn Dugan won the Long Jump with a leap of 17-08.75 to go with her Triple Jump 3rd place of 35-04. James Green won the Shot Put at 50-04.50. Whitehall's Andrew Fahringer was a double winner, taking the Discus at 151-08 and the Javelin with a fling of 168-05. North Penn's Brandon Turner got off a great first Triple Jump of 46-3.
4/1: PW Colonial Relays @ Plymouth-Whitemarsh HS: They liked the track so much last week, they came back for more. The guys of Simon Gratz liked it even better this week, setting meet records in the 4x100 in 43.30 and the 4x200 at 1:29.94. They also took 2nd in the 4x400, going 3:27.51 to the 3:27.31 meet record by Archbishop Wood. Anchored by Ryann Krais, Methacton set a meet record of 50.65 in winning the 4x100, and Krais teamed with Laura Bomgardner to set a meet record in taking the Long Jump Relay, combining for 35'10". Krais' jump was 18-7. Methacton was 2nd to a meet record 1:47.11 by Cardinal O'Hara in the 4x200. Central Bucks West set a meet record in the 4x400 with a quick 3:58.17. The Hatboro-Horsham girls posted a strong 12:36.46 to win the DMR, while Gwynedd-Mercy ran 9:43.41 in winning the 4x800. The Archbishop Carroll guys ran 10:59.12 for a meet record in the DMR. Archbishop Ryan's Kevin Breen cleared 14-0 in the wind to take the Pole Vault. Julia Dougherty of Archbishop Wood threw the Javelin 123-00.
4/1: Tim Cook Tri-State Track & Field Invitational @ Mercersburg Academy: 4/1: The Female Track Athlete was Chambersburg frosh Anyssa Barbour, who won the 100 in 12.5 and the 200 in 25.8. The Female Field athlete was Lorraine Hill, also of Chambersburg, who won the Discus with a throw of 106'0.5", the Javelin, going 120'7", and the Shot Put with a throw of 33'2". Jed Yeatts of James Buchanan won the Male Track Athlete award after a 9:56.4 3200 win, and 4:39.2 runner-up in the 1600. And Jesse Lenharr of Greencastle Antrim won the Discus with a toss of 140'5", and was 5th in the Javelin.
4/1: TSTCA Outdoor Championships @ West Mifflin HS: Laurel Highlands' Breehana Jacobs contributed two individual wins, a 25.47 meet record in the 200, and a 12.38 in the 100... plus helped the Laurel Highlands 4x100 take the TSTCA title in 50.80. Bradford's Erin Hannon was busy as usual, and got off a great Long Jump of 18-07.50 as one of her three wins. She also leapt 37-09 in the Triple Jump, and cleared 5-05 to take the High Jump. The girls' 3200 was strong as Penn Hills' Katelyn Grimm went 11:15.46, with Baldwin's Allyson Sheehan in 2nd at 11:30.24, and Shaler's Jessica Zozos 3rd at 11:31.58. Eight girls broke 11:50. Jered Jordan of Laurel Highlands tied a meet record of 15-09 in the Pole Vault. Harold Dunn Jr. of Butler sent the Jav 191-11.50, with Bradford's Rob Bleem at 183-06.50. Riverside's Denes Veres won the Shot Put with a throw of 53-09. Erie Cathedral Prep posted a quick 4x400 of 3:28.12. Baldwin's Chris Wolfe got over and through the 300 Hurdles in 39.81 seconds. It took 49.52 to win the 400, delivered by Punxsutawney's George Kulakowski. For the girls, North Allegheny's Kelly Langhans got around the lap in 58.48 seconds.
4/1: White Rose Invitational @ Central York HS: Trinity of the Harrisburg area, swept the Small School competition, while only a single point kept Milton Hershey from sweeping the Large School competition, as the Red Lion boys proved victorious. Yes, you read right, Milton Hershey agreed to jump up to the Large Schools for this meet. Made little difference, though. Lead by Abigail Johnson winning the 200 in 25.2 and the 400 in 59.9, Crystal Polite in the 100 Hurdles (15.1 prelim), Ruth Brown in the 300 Hurdles (46.3), and meet record wins in the 4x100 (49.8) and 4x400 (4:08.4), they appear poised to continue their state-level dominance as well. Dover's Mike Stough started well with a 172-11 throw in the Javelin. Kennard-Dale's Jon Grey swept the 1600 in 4:40.1 and the 3200 in a meet record 9:47.8. In the sprints, it was a battle among William Penn teammates and Susquehanna Township's Harold Clark/b>. Clark got the best of both at both distances, winning the 100 in 10.9 seconds, and the 200 with a 22.5 (22.2 trials). Tony Dennis and Joe Pressior were 2nd and 3rd in both races, in that order.
4/1: JV Meet @ Whitehall HS:
Weekend Preview: The big news has to be, no snow for the TSTCA Champs. And while there may be some random, stray thunder here and there on Saturday, it doesn't look like it can possibly match last year's monsoon in which meets were cancelled, postponed, or smply deluged. You'll get an early look at the quality from western PA as the athletes take to the West Mifflin track. York County shows off its best at the John Waggoner Invitational. Chambersburg debuts the Tim Cook Tri-State Invite, held this year at Mercersburg Academy. Cumberland Valley's Bruce Dallas Invite is in its 5th year, and this year, Henderson joins the fray. Look for some quick 5000's at the Council Rock Kiwanis meet. There's even a JV meet at Whitehall. But there are many more... so sit back, (send those results) and enjoy. I'll be at my alma mater, Cumberland Valley, where we'll see Manheim Township, West Chester East, West Chester Henderson, Upper Merion, Cedar Crest, Central Dauphin, East Pennsboro, Emmaus, Lewisburg, Lower Dauphin, Reading, and Shamokin.
Performance List for 5th Bruce Dallas Invitational
Highlights of 5th Bruce Dallas Inv @ Cumberland Valley
Boys:
Top 2 teams in AAA XC States - WC East and Manheim Twp.
Top 2 teams in Outdoor States last year - Central Dauphin and CV
Cedar Crest could be a top team in district 3 this year
Craig Miller (MT)- 1600 State Champ
Brad Miller (MT) - 1600 State Medalist
Curtis Bixler (CV) - 3200 State Champ
David Stonfer (CV) - 400 State Runner-up
Durell Hardy (WCE) - 2nd in Indoor State Mile
Tobias Robinson (CCrest) - Outstanding hurdler
4x800's from WCE and Henderson - both about 8:00 indoors
CV's 4x400 relay - 3:24 indoors
Adam Thielemann (CV) - State Discus Medalist
Girls:
Jasmin Hunt (Reading) - 100 hurdles state medalist
Alicia Woodruff (WCE) - 4th in the Indoor states mile
Abby Huber (CV)- sub 2:20 800 runner (9th indoor states)
Anna Muzio (CD) and Alanna Owens (WCE) - indoor state shot qualifiers
Photo by Ryan Comstock
Ashley Niness to Carly Niness for
the winning Conestoga DMR.
Photo by Ryan Comstock
5:03 anchor Liz Costello.
Photo by Ryan Comstock
Conestoga coach Leashia Rahr, Liz Costello (5:03 anchor), Carly Niness (2:18 3rd leg), Ashley Niness (59.3 2nd leg), Meghan Shanley (4:04 lead-off)
Photo by Ryan Comstock
2nd place 4x400, Meghan Shanley, sophomore Steph Tait, Liz Costello, Ashley Niness - 4:05.0. Strath Haven won in 4:03.3.
Photo by Ryan Comstock
4x100 finish.
Photo by Ryan Comstock
