2/28 National Weekend Rundown

National Weekend Rundown (2015 Indoor)
Johanna Gretschel

PTFCA Indoor State Championships (PA)

Sarah Walker vs. Gabrielle Wilkinson battles highlight elite day at PTFCA Championships

Photo by Patty Morgan

Pennsylvania's track and field depth was on full display at the PFTCA Indoor State Championship on Sunday, as dozens of athletes set national leading marks and elite times.

One of the fiercest battles was in the Girls 800m, as US #5 Sarah Walker faced US #9 Gabrielle Wilkinson. The duo separated themselves immediately, with Mikayla Schneider of Notre Dame trying her hardest to hang on the back. Wilkinson led through 400m, passing in 65 seconds, before Walker took control for the second. She couldn't quite shake the freshman, however, and both girls crossed the line officially US #3 2:09.56, though Wilkinson was given the nod for the title. Schneider placed third in US #7 2:11.72.

The duo crossed paths again on the opening leg of the Championship DMR, as they ran neck-and-neck again and passed the baton at 3:44. Mount Lebanon won that race in US #5 12:09.05, anchored by Kelsey Potts.

Sam Ritz of Germantown Academy continued his elite winter, as the middle-distance runner broke 4:10 for the first time in the full mile. The Columbia commit's final time of 4:09.56 broke the Pennsylvania State Record and stands as the nation's fifth-fastest time this year. Ritz also pulled Kevin James of Cardinal O'Hara under the State Record as the senior ran US #11 4:12.57. James came back to anchor the O'Hara DMR team to US #4 10:21.88 with a dominant 4:15 leg.


Photo by Patty Morgan

Ritz returned to the track for the 800m to face a fresh John Lewis. The two runners had not met since December, when Ritz won the narrow duel to set the then-US #1 time of 1:52.8. On Sunday, Lewis shot straight to the front, going through 400m in 52 seconds and hanging on to set a new US #1 time of 1:50.57. Elias Graca made a late charge, surging into second place in US #3 1:50.86 while Ritz held on for third in US #4 1:51.79.

Lewis was one of the meet's top performers, as he returned to contribute solid legs to Cheltenham's winning 4x200m in 1:28.81 and champion 4x400m in 3:20.27. The squad just missed their season best marks, but rank US #2 and US #1, respectively. Top contributor Christian Brissett won the 60m in US #6 6.82 and the 200m in 21.88. Sister Chanel picked up the girls 60m dash title in T-US #6 7.47.

In the girls hurdles, Ciara Leonard turned the tables on defending champion Sierra Brabham-Lawrence in tying the US #1 and setting a new State Record of 8.39 60H. Brabham-Lawrence broke the record with a 8.4 effort in the semifinal round.

Brooklyn Broadwater was a two-event winner in the 400m (US #4 54.73) and 200m (US #12 24.52). A favorite in the 400, but her 200 state championship was more impressive coming out of a slower section.

In the Girls Mile, Marissa Sheva returned to her early season form after illness prompted a rough race at the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix and no-show at the Millrose Games. The US #3 ranked miler defeated US #4 and Millrose Games runner-up Olivia Sargent, 4:54.46 to 4:55.95. Sargent returned in the 3k, finishing fourth in 10:01.34 as champion Madeleine Davison set a new US #1 mark of 9:47.93 and led two other girls under 10 minutes. Mady Clahane was runner-up in 9:55.57 and Hannah Molloy ran for third in 9:56.20.

Matt McGoey won the Boys 3k title over Dominic Hockenbury, US #7 8:35.53 to US #8 8:36.44. Casey Comber was right behind in US #9 8:37.65 for third.

Emily Stauffer US #11 47-0 Shot Put.

In the relays, Pennsbury's Alex Sauer brought home the 4x800m title just off the squad's season-best in 7:51.77 with a 1:54 split.

Girls Highlights

Boys Highlights