Distance bests posted in Providence
1/2-3/09 - Brown Invitational - Providence, RI
Burnt Hills Sophomore Molly Pezzulo domintated the field, ripping a U.S. leading 10:11.04 to win the 3000 meters at the Brown Invitational in Providence, RI. Saratoga junior Cassandra Goutos finished a distant second in 10:30.45.
Not to be outdone, Westerly senior Andrew Springer, a Foot Locker finalist, also posted a 19-second victory in winning his 3000 race. Springer's time of 8:27.21 was also a US #1 performance.
Johnny Gregorek (8:46.61), Tim O'Loughlin (8:51.06) and Otis Ubriaco (8:51.59) also betterd the nation's previous fastest time of 8:53.28 set by Ivo Milic-Strkalj on December 13.
Springer may have been running with a little extra motivation after the events of Friday. Springer had anchored his Westerly distance medley relay squad to an apparent victory after clocking 10:27.91, the nation's top time of the year, in the championship section, only to see RI rival East Greenwich counter with a 10:25.25 out of the unseeded heat.
Greenwich was led by Mark Feigen and Nick Ross, who ran 3:08 and 4:16, respectively, for their 1200 and 1600 meter legs. The biggest question was why with the star power of Feigen, the only New Englander to beat Springer during the recent cross season and Ross, Greenwich wasn't in the hot heat, setting up a showdown on the track?
Alec Faldermeyer (Jr, Minisink Valley) won the weight throw with a US #1 74-01.5.
MA
1/01.09 - Boston University Mini Meet #3 - Boston University, Boston, MA
At the Boston University Mini Meet #3, Omar Abdi (Charlestown, MA) ran a US #1 4:14.12 mile. Abdi's performance bettered Danbury senior Joey Bubniak, who ran the previous top mile of 4:17.25 at week earlier, also at BU.
OH
1/03/09 - Western Ohio Officials Invitational at Ohio Northern University - Ada, OH
By Jim Findlay (OHRunners.com)
The opening meet of the 2009 Ohio High School Track and Field Season opened up with two very impressive performances in the field events. Senior Erik Kynard (Rogers) recorded a US-leading high jump of 7'2.5", adding to his field house record from last year by an inch. In the Weight Throw, junior Justin Welch (Eastwood) threw the US #2 mark in the 25lbs Weight Throw with a heave of 70'11.75" on his way to winning the event.
Welch was a double winner, taking home gold in the shot put too, by delivering a throw of 54'7.75" to record the 4th best throw in the nation so far this season. Senior Zach Marinucci (Brunswick) also recorded a US top ten performance by throwing 53'5" in the shot.
The final boys field event to have a student athlete set a US top ten mark was the long jump, where defending outdoor DII state champion, senior Korbin Smith of Delta, jumped 22'5.25.
In running events, junior Demoye Bogle (Wayne) was a double winner by besting the field in both the 55m (6.68) and the 200m (23.18)
On the girls side, the field events shined as well. Sophomore Shana Flanary (Carleton Airport, MI) threw a US top ten mark in the weight by heaving the 20lbs. ball 45'3".
PA
1/02/09 - DVGTCA Indoor Meet #4 - Bethlehem, PA
Kristin Smith (Souderton), 5-7 HJ. Shanae Bailey (Swenson) all-time DVGTCA 300m record of 40.4.
1/03/09 - Maroon and Gold Invitational - Kutztown, PA
Wes Lavong (Methacton) U.S. top 10, 57-7 shot
NY
1/03/09 - CHSAA Jr. Wght and Novice - The Armory
Sean Halpin (Iona Prep, NY - left) anchors team to win in 4x8 with 1:53.5 carry. More to come....
1/02/09 - Colgate Games #2 - Pratt Inst, Brooklyn, NY
Whitney Fountain (Christopher Columbus, NY) runs 6.9h 55m and 24.9h 200m.
View the rest of NY's holiday round up
MD
1/03/09 - UMES Coach O HS Invitational - Princess Anne, MD
Jeffrey Artis (Western Branch, VA) 49-0.75 TJ, US #1. Artis bettered the previous national leading mark (Carlton Lavong PA 48-0.25) by a foot.
Artis, pictured left, in John Herzog photo
1/03/09 - Southern MD Mega Meet - Landover, MD
Katie Harman (River Hill, MD) won the swept the 1600 and 3200, posting a US #1, 11:01. 21 in the latter event.
VA
1/03/09 - East Coast Invitational - Arthur Ashe Center, Richmond, VA
NV
1/03/09 - 19th Annual Pole Vault Summit - Reno Livestock Events Center, Reno, NV
Shelby Kennard (Rockwall, TX) US #1, 12-10, Emma DeJarnette (Atlee, VA) 12-04, Morgann LeLeux (Catholic, LA) 12-04, Bethany Buell (Rockwell Summit, MO) 12-02, and Shaylah Simpson (Desert Vista) 12-02, all equalled or bettered the nation's previous best vault of 12-02 set by Brooke Hamscher (Whitehall, PA) on Dec. 27.
For the boys, Jack Whitt (Norman North, OK) cleared 17-0, a personal best, to become the nation's leading vaulter. Jared Parker (Vidor HS, TX), Allen Kelly (Kings Fork HS, VA) and Alex Freshour all topped 15-8.