We still have eight meets to process from the past two weeks, but we switched gears to get 150+ action pix of PA athletes in the invitiatonal relays and track and field events at the Penn Relays. PA Boys were added Friday night to the Girls pix we posted Wednesday. That means to catch up, we\'ll be unable to cover a meet in person this weekend. But we\'ll be on the way to Baldwin next Friday for the Baldwin Invitational. Can you identify the Penn Relays starter (who happens to coach in the PCL)?

BOYS 4x100, 4x400 Championship Action Pix from the 2004 Penn Relays @ Franklin Field, University of Pennsylvania

Boys Javelin, High Jump, Shot Put, Discus, Pole Vault Action Pix from the 2004 Penn Relays @ Franklin Field, University of Pennsylvania

Boys 4x800 and DMR Action Pix from the 2004 Penn Relays @ Franklin Field, University of Pennsylvania

Boys 400 Hurdles, Mile and 3000 Action Pix from the 2004 Penn Relays @ Franklin Field, University of Pennsylvania

Three Central Dauphin runners, Ryan Jones, Mark Wieder and Justin McCarthy, broke 1:56 in the open 800 at a dual meet vs. Lower Dauphin Thursday, 4/29. Jones at 1:55.1, runner-up Mark Wieder at 1:55.5, and Justin McCarthy at 1:55.8.

Allentown Central Catholic coach John Pressman reports that his star, Frances Koons, and rising star Meghan Burns, went 5:07.8-5:09.3, respectively, in a dual meet Tuesday, 4/27 vs.William Allen. Burns is just a sophomore. Koons also ran a PR of 10:37 for 3200.

Xavier Carter continues to amaze, as he tripled at his regional meet tonight at Dwyer: 45.3h, 10.5x, and 21.3x! Official results are not yet in.

Wren Hurricanes Brad Orr and Steven Craig signed NLI

Enoch Nadler of Keystone Heights has decided on the University of Florida.

PA Girls 4x100, 4x400 Championship Action Pix from the 2004 Penn Relays @ Franklin Field, University of Pennsylvania

PA Girls Javelin, Long Jump, Triple Jump, Pole Vault, Shot Put, Discus Action Pix from the 2004 Penn Relays @ Franklin Field, University of Pennsylvania

PA Girls 4x800 and DMR Action Pix from the 2004 Penn Relays @ Franklin Field, University of Pennsylvania

PA Girls 400 Hurdles, Mile and 3000 Action Pix from the 2004 Penn Relays @ Franklin Field, University of Pennsylvania

Heathwood Hall, located in Columbia is hosting the South Carolina Independent School Association (SCISA) State Track and Field Meet Saturday.

We still have eight meets to process from the past two weeks, but we\'re switching gears to get 150+ action pix of PA athletes in the invitiatonal relays and track and field events at the Penn Relays. PA Girls are now on. That means to catch up, we\'ll be unable to cover a meet in person this weekend. But we\'ll be on the way to Baldwin next Friday for the Baldwin Invitational. You probably recognize Bill Cosby. Here he\'s urging an event champ to show her new watch to 25,000 people. What a guy!

Dr. Bob gets a closer look at Florida\'s new rising star from Booker T. Washington, Tim Harris.

Lander University honored athletes from nine varsity sports and the cheerleading team Monday (4/26/04) night at the institution\'s 36th Annual Athletics Banquet in Horne Arena.

Qutoes from Frances Koons after her 3rd place in Thursday's Mile; Cumberland Valley coach Bill Bixler after his team's 3rd place DMR on Friday afternoon; Andrew McClure after his Discus win on Saturday morning, and Andrew Rademacher, repeat champ in the Pole Vault.

Qutoes from Frances Koons after her 3rd place in Thursday's Mile; Cumberland Valley coach Bill Bixler after his team's 3rd place DMR on Friday afternoon; Andrew McClure after his Discus win on Saturday morning, and Andrew Rademacher, repeat champ in the Pole Vault.

Virginia Tech director of track and field and cross country Dave Cianelli has announced six more members of his 2004 recruiting class with the signing of six student-athletes, all middle-distance runners.

Lunch can upset your stomach in more ways than one. A story on how Bensalem missed the Championship of America 4x100 by Bill Kenny of the Bucks County Courier Times.

Lunch can upset your stomach in more ways than one. A story on how Bensalem missed the Championship of America 4x100 by Bill Kenny of the Bucks County Courier Times.

Altoona SOPHOMORE Rachel Gehret (in Lock Haven University photo) won the 200 in 25.71, the High Jump at 5-06, the Long Jump with a 18.3.75 leap, and anchored her team to a win in the 4x400 with a 56-point split. Oh, and she has already Triple-Jumped 36-06. And Penn Relays champs Ruby Radocaj and Chris Spooner were there, too.

Young talent continues to shine, as veterans tune their events to ready for districts and states. Meet Maryy Dell of Boiling Springs, and get to know the name Sam McMillan of Hershey. Oh, and Central Dauphin and Cumberland Valley are ready for the post-season.

Alisha Royal is a seventh grader that runs cross-country and track and field at West Florence. As a Knight Royal captured the girls 3200 title at the Azalea Invitational on April 3.

Wednesday night at the Region 7-AAAA track meet at West Ashley High School shot putter John Mitchell for Stratford High School was warming up for his event at the Region 7-AAAA track meet when he was struck in the head by a competing thrower\'s implement. Mitchell was warned from other throwers to look out but the warnings just weren\'t soon enough. When he looked up, the 12-pound shot struck up on the top of his head about six inches above his right eye.

The photo galleries from the Penn Relays are now on for all three days. We also have posted results for Lock Haven, Hermitage (Hickory) Stan Morgan (Carlisle), Crimson Tide (Pottsville), Westmoreland County, and Lebanon County, Lady Hatter, McDowell, plus last weekend\'s Butler boys and WIldcat @ Latrobe. We need results from Moon Mixed, Lady Hatter, Fairfield, Fayette County, Indiana County, Mount Carmel, and Springfield, Delco.

Photo Galleries from the 4/22-24 Penn Relays Carnival @ Franklin Field, Universitiy of PA

Photos of the boys 3200 meter run from the 2004 Dogwood Track Classic

Brittany Maun 5-06 High Jump, Marc Borgia 14-0 Pole Vault, Josiah Leuenberger 9:32.93 3200 @ City of Hermitage Invitational @ Hickory HS.

Cedar Crest's Tobian Robinson took both Hurdle events, the 110 in 14.5, tying a meet record, and the 300 in 39.4, setting a new meet record. Dave Burrell of Annville Cleona, took the Javelin with a toss of 170-04, and the Long Jump, going 21-03. Andy Miller, Cedar Crest, captured the 800 in 1:58.8, tying the meet record. And Cedar Crest thrower, Becky Eisenhauer, won the Shot Put in a meet record throw of 40-10, and took the Discus, 105.04. Meghan Briggs, Palmyra, set a meet record in the Javelin with her winning throw of 129-07.

Alec Rice of Indiana continued to vault well, clearing 14'. Penn Manor's Sifinski triple-jumped 36-11.75. And Marion Center's Satterlee, won the Shot Put with a throw of 38-11.

Eastside High School hosted the Rookie Relays on April 24. The meet was specifically for 7, 8, 9 and 10th graders. 98 photographs are now online for viewing from the meet.

Highlights from Virginia athletes and relays at the 2004 Penn Relays.

Quotes from Auston Papay, Chris Spooner and Ian Fitzgerald after winning ways on Friday at Penn.

Penn Relays Shot Put champs Auston Papay will attend the University of Akron. Cowin Mills, Abington, a medalist at PA States both indoor and out in the 400, will attend Clemson University. Cumberland Valley\'s Mark Shugart, who was 4th at this year\'s Penn Relays in the Discus, has signed a letter of intent to Stanford University.

Pennsbury\'s Tom Stevenson held off Bensalem\'s LaMonte Louis over the anchor leg to win the Philadelphia-area 4x400 championship in 3:20.56. Bensalem, which had qualified for the 4x100 Championship of America which was run earlier in the afternoon Saturday, missed the start. In the Philadelphia -area Girls\' championship, Wissahickon was 2nd in 3:50.74 to New Jersey\'s WInslow Township. Winslow also won the boys 4x400 COA.

Photos of the boys 400 meter dash at the 2004 Dogwood Track Classic.

Photos of the girls sprint medley relay at the 2004 Dogwood Track Classic.

Photos of the girls 400 meter dash at the 2004 Dogwood Track Classic.

Photos of the girls 300 meter hurdles at the 2004 Dogwood Track Classic.

Adding to her honors this year, West Catholic junior Nicole Leach has been name the Female High School Athlete of the Meet @ the Penn Relays Carnival. She won the 400 Hurdles Thursday in a record 57.84, and contributed to relay wins in the Philadelphia Catholic League 4x400 (3:45.56) on Thursday, the Girls\' Small Schools 4x100 Championship on Friday (47.68), and Tri-State Girls\' 4x100 on Saturday (47.60); while placing 4th in the Championship of America 4x400 in 3:47.96 on Friday.

Photos of the girls 200 meter dash at the 2004 Dogwood Track Classic.

Photos of the girls 4x400 meter relay at the 2004 Dogwood Track Classic.

Photos of the boys sprint medley relay at the 2004 Dogwood Track Classic.

Photos of the boys high jump at the 2004 Dogwood Track Classic.

Photos of the boys 800 meter run at the 2004

Pennsylvania claims two more indivudual titles on the final day of the Penn Relays as Andrew McClure, the Florida transfer, uses a throw of 171-09 in the first round to win the boys\' Discus. And Andrew Rademacher, the Hickory senior, repeated as Penn Relays champion, clearing 15-09. He had come into the competition at 15-05.

Photos of the boys 300 meter hurdles at the 2004 Dogood Track Classic.

Photos of the boys 200 meter dash at the 2004 Dogwood Track Classic.

Photos of the boys 4x400 meter relay at the 2004 Dogwood Track Classic.

Mike Booth, West Mifflin, was a double victor, taking the 800 in 2:06.2 and the Mile in 4:24.0, the latter over Jeff Weiss, McGuffey, who was awarded the same time. Weiss did capture the 2-mile in 9:38.0. More...

Photos of the girls 3200 meter run from the 2004 Dogwood Track Classic.

Quotes from PA Penn Relays\' Champions Auston Papay, Chris Spooner and Ian Fitzgerald.

Everybody had Lewisburg\'s Chris Spooner on their lists. After all, he was the number one seed. But Victor Gras is better known. And he has been talking about going sub-4 by the end of the year. North Hills\' Ian Fitzgerald was seeded 24th. But that was because he hasn\'t run the distance in some time. Those who knew, were sure his recent 4:14 mile/1:57 double and his 2nd place at Penn a year before were no flukes.

Springfield (Montco)\'s Faye Korich went 5:11 for a mile to hold off Gwynedd-Mercy\'s Kate Simon by less than two seconds. Lower Moreland thrower Danielle Duffy won the Discus with a throw of 128-03.

In the Shot Put, PA won another individual championship, as Auston Papay, the Sharon senior, threw 63-11 in the first round. Gwynedd-Mercy held off a final lap charge from Boys & Girls of New York City, and took top American honors, garnering 3rd in the 4x800 Championship of America by just .01, going 9:04.57. The quartet of Kelly McGrath, Kahki Mealy, Kate Vernon and Maura Ryan split 2:19.0, 2:16.5, 2:15.3 and 2:13.8 for the best PA time in years, and is just over six seconds off the state record set by Upper Dublin in 1982. The race was won by Edwin Allen of Jamaica in 8:50.20, and Holmwood Technical, Jamaica, was 2nd in 9:00.56. West Catholic won the girls Small School 4x100 in 47.68, and in the Large School race, Simon Gratz was 8th in 48.16. Juan Cave, St. Joseph\'s Prep was 2nd in the High Jump, clearing 6-09.75. LaSalle\'s Kevin Moore was the top PA finisher in the Javelin, getting 2nd with a throw of 186-10. Favorite Mike Holsberger of Penn Cambria had a foul, one throw, and apperently retired because of injury. Coatesville\'s Tayvon Gray was 3rd in the Discus with a throw of 139-00.

The North Penn 4x800 is the only PA team that moved into Championship of America 4x800, going 7:50.53 to get 3rd in their heat. And Lewisburg, which ran 7:56.57 missed by two seconds after, despite a heroic anchor by Chris Spooner in 1:52.6. There were baton drops at the start of one race by both Wissahickon and Carroll, while in another race, Upper Dublin lost the baton.

Meet summary from the district championships at Royal Palm Beach.

Chad Radgowski is throwing with the best in the country. The South Park junior ignored less than ideal conditions to throw 190-07.50 to take the Jav. The Oakland Catholic relays are looking good, thanks in large part to Erica Moody and Charelise Davis. The team went 50.28 to win the 4x100, and 4:11.20 to take the 4x400. Davis won the 100 in 12.27 seconds, while Moody won the 200 in 25.52 and the 400 in 57.82.

Emmaus, anchored by the winner of the 3200, Sam Luff (9:37.6), went 8:11.0 to win the 4x800, with Easton three seconds back and Pleasant Valley just .8 behind that. Jake Wieder, Emmaus, was a double winner, taking the 100 in 11.2 and the 200 in 22.7, getting the nod in the latter over Phil Flowers of Freedom. A day after her 7th place finish at Penn in the 3000 in 10:07.88, Freedom\'s Lauretta Dezubay won the 1600 in 5:13.7. And Penn Pole Vault champ Lindsay Regan, Easton, cleared 10-0 as sister Courtney took top honors with a height of 11-0.

While there is lots more to report from Thursday after the meet, the highlights after the meet records by Nicole Leach, Ruby Radocaj and Lindsay Regan include West Catholic making the 4x400 Championship of America, Francis Koons taking 3rd in Mile, and Katie Thaeder running a smart race to be PA\'s finisher in 3000.

Quotes from Nicole Leach, Ruby Radocaj and Lindsay Regan, who each set a meet record on the first day of the 110th running of the Penn Relays Carnival.

Quotes from Nicole Leach, Ruby Radocaj and Lindsay Regan, who each set a meet record on the first day of the 110th running of the Penn Relays Carnival.

Easton sophomore Lindsay Regan sets PA\'s 3rd Penn Relays record of the day, winning Pole Vault with a jump of 12-07.50.

Four PA teams have advanced to the Championship of America 4x800 scheduled for 12:25 Friday. The teams include Gwynedd-Mercy (9:13.62) who won their heat with the 5th fastest time overall; Haverford 9:19.09, Hatboro-Horsham 9:19.18, and Allentown Central Catholic 9:19.24. Archbishop Prendergast missed by just five seconds two spots.

Ruby Radocaj won the girls Javelin today, a year after finishing as the top American. The Minnesota-bound Williamsport senior won the event on her first throw, and came close to matching in on the first throw of the finals. It is a new Penn Relays record. (results coming)

West Catholic junior Nicole Leach came from behind over the final 100 meters to set the Penn Relays record for the high school girls 400 Hurdles, breaking the previous mark held by Melanie Walker of St. Jago Jamaica, who ran 57.85 in 2001. Including quotes from Leach and one of her coaches.

The PA sophomore class is showing themselves to be special. Rachel Gehret from Altoona, and Caitlin Hewitt of Latrobe are the two that are making the greatest impact this spring. You can read about Gehret\'s exploits from the 4/24 Lock Haven Meet. This is about the 4/22 Westmoreland County Coaches meet at Derry.

Check here for PA Flash results + links to each day\'s results are on the Penn Relays Site. Check this story for those links.

Boys Action Pix by Bill Rex from the 4/16 Butler Boys Invitational

Rodney Dangerfield has nothing on Dr.Norb Sander. NBC\'s piece on \"Doc\" and his herculean effort to revive the Armory in NY City has been postponed a 2nd time. The new (tentative) airdate is this Thursday at 6:30pm.

Girls Action Pix from the 4/17 Great Valley Relays @ Great Valley H

Boys Action Pix from the 4/17 Great Valley Relays @ Great Valley HS

Steve Spence didn't know he had set a Masters' American Record in the 10K until he heard it from Walt Murphy's News Service after his return from the Raleigh Relays in late March.

Alan Webb, the Outstanding H.S. Performer at the 2000 and 2001 Penn Relays, is planning to run hard in the "Olympic Development" 5,000 meters on Thursday night(9:30pm), and then see how he can do in the mile on Saturday.

North Hills distance star Ian Fitzgerald will continue his academic and athletic careers at the College of William & Mary under second year coach Alex Gibby.

High School Altert from the Penn Relays-Sanctioning problems lead to race assignment changes. But some good news out of NY.

Erin Hannon, Bradford, continues her strong season, posting wins in the Triple (36-00), Long (16-09.75) and High (5-06) Jumps, and getting the fastest 100 Hurdles time of the day in 16.6, but eventually taking 2nd to Sarah Powell of General McLane. More...

There were meet records dropping everywhere. While those were impressive, there were marks that will have an impact on both the state and national levels. Junior thrower Tayvon Gray had the best day of her scholastic career, beginning with a 139-04 Discus, and finishing with a 41-06 Shot Put.

Rademacher can hurdle the short ones as well as the tall ones, going 14.90 and 14-06 for a 2nd and a 1st.

Photo Galleries of the 4/17 Great Valley Relays @ Great Valley HS

Williams and Kim Morris lead Plymouth-Whitemarsh in three jumps relays.

Gwynedd-Mercy and West Catholic girls, plus North Penn boys use CB West Relays to stay sharp for Penn, while Council Rock North\'s Shawn Thompson leaps 6-09 to top the PA lists

The \"Pre-Penn Relays\" otherwise known as the Father Judge Relays, provided a preview of the top talent competing later this week at the Franklin Field oval. Headlining the day were Nicole Leach, the Allentown Central girls, and the Cardinal O\'Hara boys.

Evenly split wins for lots of schools in track relays, while Hazleton girls and Selinsgrove boys dominate field action.

Cedar Crest tops the state in the 4x100, Timmons doubles again, quick 400\'s by the boys, and Penn Relays tuneups from Cumberland Valley, Holsberger, Radocaj and Flagg.

Strath Haven and Upper Darby dominated the Buccaneer Relays at Interboro. Using the two man-two team format, Upper Darby was victorious in the 400, 800, 1600, Shot Put and Pole Vault. Strath Haven won the Jav, 110 Hurdles, 300 Hurdles, and 3200.

The Nicole Smith show continued as the McDowell junior won three events and took 2nd in another. More...

Ian Fitzgerald, North Hills, is definitely ready for the Penn Relays. He doubled Friday night at the Butler Invitational, going 4:14.5 for 1600 and 1:57.5 for 800. Sharon\'s Auston Papay is upping the Shot Put already, posting a 63-9 performanance. He also won the Discus with a toss of 169-9. And Butler\'s Calvin Littlejohn sent a message to the rest of the state in the horizontal jumps, clearing 46-5 in the Triple and 22-10.5 to take the Long. And Justin King, Gateway, won the 100 in 11.0, but injured his hamstring in the 4x400. North Allegheny takes the 4x800 in 8:08.5 (photo by Bill Rex).

Sophomore Sarah McHale (Winchester, VA), junior Cassidy Harris (Geneva, IL), freshman Jen Showker (Harrisonburg, VA) and freshman Meghan Bishop (Blue Bell, PA) all won individual titles on Saturday to power William and Mary women

With sophomore Matt Wolak (Richmond, VA), senior Chris Parsons (Dunkirk, MD), freshman Steven Huntzinger (Fairfax, VA) and senior Aaron Spicer (Woodbridhe, VA) all claiming individual crowns on Saturday, William and Mary men

Freshman Keith Bechtol (Alexandria, VA), sophomore Matt Keally (Virginia Beach, VA), senior Chris Parsons (Dunkirk, MD) and junior Andy Smith (Raleigh, NC) all captured individual crowns as defending champion William and Mary men

Photos from the 2004 Allen Johnson Invitational held at Lake Braddock High School in Fairfax.

4/16-Cebula posts quick 200, Connellesville 8:08.6 4x800.

Frances Koons commits to Villanova, but first there's a big race to run "for family and for Pennsylvania."

Angelina Blackmon signed a National Letter of Intent with North Carolina State University (Raleigh, N.C.) earlier this week. Blackmon, a senior at Northwestern has the 2004 girls 1600-meter fastest time of 5:02.92 in South Carolina.

Frances Koons commits to Villanova, but first there's a big race to run for family and for PA. Frances Koons - the Allentown Central Catholic distance star and 2003 PIAA state champion in XC, 2004 PTFCA Indoor State Champ in the Mile and 3000 - has come full circle from the Science and Engineering Summer camp at Villanova University the summer of 2002. As a sophomore, it was one of only two colleges she knew anything about. The other was Muhlenburg, just two blocks from her home in Allentown. Koons spent five weeks at Villanova that summer enrolled in a Science and Engineering camp. "I thought it was the coolest thing that I was there, because I knew Villanova's great tradition of runners.

Seniors Charlotte LaRoche (Centreville, VA) and Maura McMahon (Westfield, NJ) both captured individual crowns as three-time defending champion William and Mary women

The following are the final instructions for the meet.

Hurdler Michael Wray and distance specialist Michael Syrnick, both coached by legendary Fred Rosenfeld of Central High School in Philadelphia, have chosed colleges - Wray to the University of Pittsburgh, and Syrnick to Penn State University.

Dominique Ward is a senior at Battery Creek High School. Ward captured the 2003 4A state championships in the 400-meter event with a 56.46. Ward is attending Tennessee State University next year.

Dorman distance standout Ryan Jank and pole-vaulter Kenny Knox signed National Letter of Intents today. Dorman

Marshawn Martin, Tiaerra McLaurin, and Terrence Brown were each named Athlete of the Week by thestate.com on April 13.

Charleston Southern University is hosting the 2004 Big South Conference Track and Field Championships that started earlier today at the Bagwell-Settle track and field facility.

Troy Clawson is back running for Coughlin-an amazing story from the Wilkes-Barre Times Leader

The 13th Annual Taco Bell Classic took place from April 9-10 at Spring Valley High School in Columbia. Over 2,000 athletes and 144 schools competed at the meet. 109 images are now online for viewing

This marks the sixth running of the Gus Lacy Track Classic, a meet that is quietly approaching elite status. Consider that three of the four crowned State indoor champions from this past season (Deep Creek, Western Albemarle and Charlottesville) will be competing, along with Prep League Champions Woodberry Forest and defending Outdoor Private School Champions Fork Union and well hence the name classic.

Ocala Vangaurd\'s Kelly Parrish hit the road to South Carolina\'s elite Taco Bell Classic. She won the mile in 5:00.42.

Hurdler John Wilsman is the first St. John Neumann High School athlete to be accepted at a top caliber track program. He\'ll continue his education and track career at Villanova University.

April 14th is the first day of the National Letter of Intent period for high school seniors. Please send us your announcement, with picture of the signing if you have one, and information on how you know the information is accurate. First out of the gate: Frances Koons, Allentown Central Catholic, distance, to Villanova; Jen Gray, Cumberland Valley, middle distance, to Alabama; Melissa Ferry, West Chester Henderson, middle distance-distance, to George Mason University; Carolyn Auwaeter, Great Valley, middle distance, to Penn; teammate Katy Andersen, middle distance, to Princeton

Photos by John Dye, Dyestat, of West Catholic stars Nicole Leach and Latavia Thomas, who after helping the Burrs win the Sprint Medley Friday, won their individual events on Saturday; Leach in 53.58 for 400, and Thomas in 2:07.51 for 800. Also includes quotes.

After missing serveral weeks due to an injury, X-Man will return this weekend at the Florida Elite Track Club Invitational.

PA sophomores, juniors, seniors, and 2003 graduates (now college freshmen) are well-represented on the April 12th list of early qualifiers for the USATF Junior Outdoor Track & Field Championships set for June 24-27 in Buffalo.

Senior Hillcrest Ram Jennifer Hitt signed a National Letter of Intent with Anderson College today. Hitt will run cross-country and track at Anderson College.

National class athletes and marks made their way to Columbia at Spring Valley High School last weekend as over 2,000 athletes and 144 schools competed at the 13th Annual Taco Bell Classic.

Photos from the 37th Arcadia Invitational and Southern California.

We have posted full results for Pan-Ram, TFCAGP Relays, Bristol KOC, Delco Relays, Susquehanna, and W&J meets, plus pix pages for Pan-Ram, Bristol and Upper Dubln. Elite performances are also listed for a few of those meets. We\'ll add more, with summaries later tonight. We also have pix from Bristol and Upper Dublin, plus galleries coming from Pan-Ram.

Action Pix by Ryan Comstock at the Bristol Knights of Columbus Invitational @ Holy Ghost Prep

Action Pix by Bob Rodgers from the 4/10 TFCAGP Relay Carnival @ Upper Dublin

Boys Action Pix from the 4/10 Pan-Ram Invitational @ Central Dauphin

Girls Action Pix from 4/10 Pan-Ram Invitational @ Central Dauphin

Photo galleries of the 4/10 Pan-Ram Invitational @ Central Dauphin HS

The Penn Relays Carnival released the list of accepted high school relays teams. Headlining a deep group of PA teams are the Cardinal O\'Hara boys DMR, the #3 seed; and the Gwynedd-Mercy girls 4x800 with one of the top seeds in the two Small Schools divisions, and Hatboro-Horsham, also with a top seed in the Large Schools division. Cumberland Valley, Cardinal O\'Hara and LaSalle are in both the DMR and 4x800; while the Radnor girls will race in both events. Noticeably absent is the 4x800 squad from Central Dauphin, who will be competing at the McDowell Invitational in Erie that weekend. CD has brokedn 8 twice this season, once without their top 800 guy.

Tim Harris of Miami Washington now sits at fifth on the Florida All-Time List for 800m.

The Oak Ridge High School girls won the SMR at the first ever California Relays in near national record time.

Four sets of double individual champs @ Hempfield (3) Invitational.

Good food, good weather, great performances abound: As Donna Dye noted after her visit to the XC State meet in November, \"they know how to eat in PA.\" And the Pan-Ram Inv. at the great 8-lane track at Harrisburg\'s Central Dauphin HS was no exception. The burgers were charcoaling, the sun was blazing. But most of all, the performances were cooking as the 16th Pan-Ram Invite enjoyed great weather and a bunch of meet records (plus a stirring battle between a talented vet and the new kid on the block in the girls 1600.)

North Penn and Central are ready to run the 4x800 at Penn, going 8:01.7 and 8:04.0.

There were two PA #1's from Lucci in the Shot Put and Radnor in the DMR at the Delco Relay Carnival.

Running alone and lapping much of the race, Lewisburg senior Chris Spooner got in a quick 3200, going 9:13.58. The Javelin is always one of PA\'s top events, and Williamsport senior Ruby Radocoj threw the spear 137-03; and Warrior Run junior, Nate Hardic won his speciality with a throw of 195-10. Shamokin sprinter Dan Wilk took two events, the 100 in 11.00 and the 200 in 22.78.

Gwynedd-Mercy is rolling already in this young season. And a newer name pops up on in the leaders in the 1600. Kate Simon ran a 5:12.2 to finish 2nd to one name you know, Kate Vernon, who ran a 5:04.3.

West Catholic stars Nicole Leach takes the 400 in a US #1 53.58 and Latavia Thomas wins the 800 in 2:07.51 at the Arcadia Invitational in California. Friday, West Catholic took the 1600 Sprint Medley Relay in 3:59.74 (all underclassmen: Lawson, Ciarra 11, 2) Thomas, Latavia 10, 3) Ferguson, Erica 10, 4) Sheard, Kneisha 10. In the 4x400, West Catholic was 3rd in 3:47.72.

Wilson HS of West Lawn, travelled to South Carolina for the Taco Bell Classic in Columbia South Carolina. The girls 4x800 ran a strong 9:53.65, for 6th place. Brian Dodds cleared 14-6 in the Pole Vault with teammate Brent Ott going 13-06. The boys\' 4x400 posted a 3:30.47 while the 4x800 ran 8:17.88.

California\'s Poly Long Beach set a new National Record in the 4x200. Their 1:33.87 absolutely destroyed the field, including a good West Catholic squad of Nicole Leach, Kneiha Sheard, Erica Ferguson and Latavia Thomas, who\'s 1:40.34 is the PA #1 and US#8. West Catholic\'s time was two seconds slower than their seed. But the Burrs did win the 1600 Sprint Medley, going 3:59.74.

Tyler Orchowski of Upper St. Clair captured three events, the 110 Hurdles in 15.6, the 300 Hurdles in 42.7 and the High Jump, clearing 5-10. His teammate Bob Rankin took the Shot Put (54-11), Baldwin\'s Dan Kavanaugh hurled the Discus 152-01, while his teammate, Ron Walter cleared 14-06 to win the Pole Vault. In the girls competition, Baldwin\'s Jordan Veney won the Shot Put (36-05).

Full performance lists are now posted for the 4/17 Shippensburg Invitational.

Palisades coach Scott Antoni reports that Christa Plummer, Palisades, ran a 11:06 in the 3200m and a 5:12 1600 on April 8 in a meet @ Northern Lehigh HS.

Tara Branum has had to learned to overcome adversity and trials by leaning on her faith. The senior is struggling to get back into form after an offseason injury almost ended her vaulting career.

Thanks to meet management of the Pan-Ram Invitational, scheduled for this Saturday at Central Dauphin HS in Harrisburg, we have both performance lists and heat sheets posted for the entire meet, plus the event schedule. Looks like a great competition on what is forecast to be a beautiful spring day.

The 13th Annual Taco Bell Track and Field Classic is taking place this Friday and Saturday at Spring Valley High School in Columbia. Friday

Susquehanna University Sports Information Director Jim Miller previews their upcoming HS Track & Field Classic.

The fourth annual Susquehanna University High School Track and Field Classic will be held Saturday beginning at 10 a.m. at Nicholas A. Lopardo Stadium. A total of 21 high schools and nearly 600 athletes will be participating in the non-scoring meet, which will crown champions in 15 individual and three relay events for both boys and girls.

Action pix by Ryan Comstock at the Central League Relays @ Haverford High School new six-lane track

4/7-Lucci 40-8 SP Carter 12.4, 25.9 + Baidoo 10.8, 22.2 sprint doubles @ Lion Inv @ Penncrest

Nicole Leach and Latavia Thomas are leading the powerful West Catholic team to the prestigiou Arcadia Invitational in California. Leach will run the 400, where she is the top seed. Thomas is the 2nd seed in the 800 to Maryland frosh star Devon Williams. And the Burr's 1600 Sprint Medley squad is the top seed, while their 4x200 quartet is the 3rd seed. All West Catholic events are the Invitational (hot) sections.

4/8-As of Thur 4pm, we have posted results, elites and summaries for 15 meets - Igloo, Oxenreider, Bruce Dallas, Council Rock, Hurricane Classic, PW Colonial Relays, TSTCA Champs, Chestnut Hill, Hill School, Central League @ Haverford, Coed @ Wissahickon, Harold Phillips @ Carlisle, White Rose, John Waggoner and the All-American Relays in Hampton VA with great PA performances. We\'re looking for results from the Fairview Kiwanis and Apple Blossom in Biglerville. We also need two meets from the 27th, Pop Emrey @ Liberty and and Iceberg @ Wallenpaupack. We also have posted action shots from the Bruce Dallas Inv. and the Central League Relays.

Boys Action Pix from 4/3 Bruce Dallas Inv @ Cumberland Valley

Girls Action Pix from 4/3 Bruce Dallas Invitational @ Cumberland Valley HS

Former Merion Mercy star Evelyn Dwyer and Texas to pass up Penn RelaysFrom Walt Murphy\'s News Service When the NCAA went to Regional qualifying for its Div.I Championships last year, the directors of the major spring relay carnivals expressed concern over the effect that the ensuing schedule changes would have on their meets.

Red Lion senior and distance star has wanted to attend the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs for a long time. She recently got her wish with a nomination from Vice President Dick Cheney. Papenberg has been a consistently strong runner her entire career, always at the front of races, and never giving anything less than 100%. Papenberg was a member of the 2004 all-star team that competed at the Mid-east regional championships in Ohio in November, 2003. She was 34th as a freshman, 8th as a sophomore, 2nd as a junior, and 4th as a senior (in her best time ever on the course).

Broadneck senior Lauren Centrowitz has signed a letter of intent to attend Stanford University.

At the 3rd Bruce Dallas Invitaitonal, there was a freshman who kept showing up at the front of a lot of races. Coach Derek Hockenbery said she\'s one of a strong young group that could make some waves in the coming years. Their best so far, Abby Huber

Abby Huber (with baton), is the best of a group of freshman middle distance and distance runners coming up through the ranks at the strong Cumberland Valley program. Huber has a range from 400, 800, to1600, and ran 2nd for the Eagles at the State PIAA XC Championships in Hershey after an attention-getting 18th place finish at the District 3 XC race the week before.

Gettysburg senior Troy Litten pole vaulted 14-02 to win the event. His PR is 14-06, set last summer. (We have not received full results for this meet.)

The District 1 teams that make the annual visit to Virginia for warmth and competition, found a meet to replace the temporarily suspended Colonial Relays when they visited Hampton, Virginia. The boys took the DMR by storm, keeping the first five places to themselves behind the 10:43.08 by Upper Dublin. Bonner was just two seconds back, and LaSalle, Great Valley and Archbishop Ryan rounded out the top five.

Knowledge Timmons was a state champ in the 200 and a runnner-up in the 100 as a sophomore. It looks like he\'s even stronger this year, starting his season with a 10.7, 22.3 double. Milton Hershey\'s girls are again a strong team. They took the three relays, and Abigail Johnson captured the 200 in 26.10 and the 400 in 57.50. William Penn\'s (York) Tyesha Rice won the Shot Put with a throw of 36-04.

Tayvon Gray added an event to her repertoire, and that means another win. The Coatesville junior captured her specialty of the Shot Put by over two feet with a throw of 39-06.50. Her Discus of 123-01 was also a victory.

Nick Kipe of Waynesboro posted the top Triple Jump in PA with a leap of 45-10.50. Jeff Porter of the host Thundering Herd cleared 6.06 to win the High Jump. And Carlisle's Ashley Hodge won three events, the 100 in 12.4, the 200 in 26.7 and the 400 in 1:04.3.

Frances Koons, Nicole Leach, Ruby Radocaj, Chris Spooner, Andrew Rademacher, Juan Cave, Austin Papay, Ryan Whiting, Andrew McClure, Mike Holsberger and Kevin Moore earn top two seedings at the Penn Relays. The complete list of PA\'s Individual entries is listed here.

Frances Koons, Nicole Leach, Ruby Radocaj, Chris Spooner, Andrew Rademacher, Juan Cave, Austin Papay, Ryan Whiting, Andrew McClure, Mike Holsberger and Kevin Moore earn top two seedings at the Penn Relays. The complete list of PA\'s Individual entries is listed here.

In the midst of meet coverage, we continue to receive the good news of seniors making their college choices. Listed below are the ones we have received over the past few weeks. Congratulations to those PA student-athletes on their careers and college decision. Please let us know when you have made your choice.

USC Spartanburg recently announced the dropping of the men and women

Jefferson junior Shardal Twyman is a one-person scoring machine. Her 12.64 100, 26.22 200 and 17-08.50 Long Jump were good enough for wins. Ruby Radocaj, the Williamsport senior, unleased a 135\' Jav for an easy win; while in the boys Jav, Mike Holsberger cranked one 196-10. David Mock, the AA XC champ from Westmont Hilltop, showed little rust with a 3200 statement of 9:15.17. He was pushed by Harbor Creek senior Brian Soder, 2nd in 9:20.97. Soder had won the 1600 in 4:23.37. Showing the Westmont Hilltop isn\'t just a distance school, sophomore sprinter Brad Kanuch made an early season statement with wins in the 100 in 10.95, the 200 in 22.75 and the Triple Jump, with a leap of 42-04.25.

A monster throw solicited a roar from the crowd that caught the ear and attention of the track crowd in the distance. Baldwin coach and TSTCA officer Ed Helbig called down on his walkie-talkie and heard the news of a Javelin throw of 205-01 by Chad Radgowski of South Park.

Strong DMR\'s @ Haverford. Upper Darby captures three track relays in top times, one with the girls and two with the boys. Their quartet of Thomasian Sampson, Shala Simms, Jannea Bridgeford and Kemika Allen lead a fast 4x400 1-2-3 with a 4:03.1.

The Wissahickon girls made short work of their competition, winning the 4x100 in 48.9, the 4x400 in 3:58.2 and the Sprint Medley in 4:15.2. North Penn was just .3 back in the SMR. In boys action, North Penn captured three running relays, the 4x200 in 1:30.4, the 4x400 in 3:25.1 and the 4x800 in 8:08.8. Wissahickon took the Sprint medley less than a second up on North Penn with their 3:36.6.

4/3-Carroll, Glen Mills, Gratz, West Catholic win events @ Diamond State Relays in Delaware

Photo Galleries of the 4/3 Bruce Dallas Invitational @ Cumberland Valley

Holly Travous set a big PR in the Shot Put with a state-leading throw of 40-04 to lead the field event performances, while Central Dauphin, Cumberland Valley and Lewisburg battled to the last straightaway, with the three going 7:59.48, 7:59.82 and 8:01.52 respectively in a fast 4x800 on a cold, windy day. Ryan Whiting went from the Discus to the Shot, and set meet records in both. His throws were 170-11 and 62-01, respectively. And Lewisburg\'s Chris Spooner took off from the gun and cruised to a 4:18.53 win in the 1600.

Brian Dodds picked up his early season pace in the Pole Vault. The Wilson athlete cleared 14' for the win. Governor Mifflin's Kirk Devine, a junior, won the Discus with a throw of 153-07. Hamburg's Joel Foreman was a double winner, taking the Long and Triple jumps in 20-01 and 43-01.25. Chad Henne, Wilson, tossed the Javelin 167-10. Strong relays from Conrad Weiser (1:35.30 4x200), and Wilson (3:31.76 4x400, 8:19.00 4x800). The meet returns to host school Muhlenberg next year.

Wow, some fast distance girls at Henderson! Melissa Ferry is showing some versatility, highlighted with a 59.04 meet record win in the 400. Teammate Megan Durkee toasted the 800 field with her 2:18.80.

A super Triple Jump by Coatesville\'s Clarence Smith, setting a meet record with a jump of 46-00.75. Athlete of the meet John Thompson was 2nd with his 45-08 efford. Thompson equalled the 100 meet record with a time of 10.6 seconds. In the hurdles, specialist Michael Wray of Central ran a MR 13.9 in the Trials of the 110. Wray then ran 55.7 in the 400 Hurdles.

The Texas Relays brought out the best of the athletes this weekend. There were great performances from top to bottom and in some instances record breaking performances. Friday stated out with some terrible weather

Gwynedd-Mercy and Hatboro-Horsham battled in the 4x800, with GM going 9:37.6 for the win, six seconds up on the Lady Hatters. Gwynedd-Mercy also captured the Distance Medly in 12:39.7, by just over four seconds over Cardinal O\'Hara. In the boys competition, Phoenixville ran a fast Sprint Medley, going 3:41.2.

Penn Charter's Kemal Marrell posted a hand-timed 10.9 100, but their Sprint Medley was 2nd by just .3 to Episcopal Academy's 3:42.5. Sean Plunkett won the Shot Put with a throw of 52-07.50.

Church Farm's boys took three running relays, the 4x100, 4x200 and 4x400. Episcopal captured the 4x800 and DMR. For the girls, host Hill School captured the 4x100, DMR, and four Field Event relays.

The Coaches Classic meet took place on March 27 at Spring Valley High School in Columbia. 49 photographs are now online for viewing.