Ursinus College HS Open Recap
It was a great start to the season at Ursinus, as a number of Pennsylvania's top names got off to a strong starts, and we got a first look at some of the state's brightest young stars. Overall, it helped set the stage nicely for what should be another great indoor season.
Girls
Christina Warren of Perkiomen Valley proved that she'll be one of the state's most exciting athletes this season, excelling in a number of events. Warren won the 55 meter hurdles in 8.03, a new state and national leader. She then came back to win the triple jump with a leap of 39-4.25, a PA#1 and US#2.
Gabrielle Wilkinson is ready for a big season, too. The Friends' Central senior got off to a solid start on Saturday. She opened up by anchoring FCS's DMR to the win in 12:53.90. Later in the day, she returned to put down the nation's fastest time in the 800 meter, a 2:14.35. Neumann Goretti's Sydni Townsend was second in 2:19.27.
Neumann Goretti showed it could be the squad to beat in the relays this season. The Saints posted a pair of state leading time to open up its indoor campaign. NG went 1:45.40 to win the 4x200 meter relay by over two seconds. Then the Saints closed out the meet with a 4:02.01 to win the 4x400 meter relay. With Townsend, Mykala Perry, and transfer Dasia Wilson, this will be a hard squad to take down.
Kamani Johns of Chester got her career off to a rolling start. Johns, only a freshman, pulled away for the win in the 400 meters, clocking in at 58.99 for a state lead and a fantastic first high school performance. Conestoga's Grace Lanouette also ran well, taking first in her heat and second overall to Johns in the 400 in a time of 1:00.02. Lanouette is usually seen more in the short sprints.
Speaking of strong debuts, Saint Basil Academy's Tia Taylor had a terrific start to her career, too. The freshman took second to Warren in the 55 hurdles, running 8.52. Then she won the long jump with a leap of 18-1.75, a PA#2.
Central's Emma Helstrom went 10:45.07, outlasting Palisades's Sophie Doman in the 3K. Helstrom takes over the state lead in the event. Doman came across in a PA#2 10:49.50.
Susquehanna Township's Marjia Allen ran well in the 55 meter dash, running 7.36 to win in the final, but she dropped her fastest time, 7.32, in the prelims.
In the high jump, Perkiomen School's Miriam Oelgarth cleared 5-1 to take the win over Pottsgrove's Miazziah Rose, who also cleared 5-1. Oelgarth took the advantage and the win on jumps.
Boys
Kyle Garland of Germantown Academy stole the show on Saturday. It probably won't be the last time he'll be doing that this year. Garland started his day by running a nation-leading 7.35 to win the 55 meter hurdles. Then he won the 400 meters in 50.76 to beat out Chester's Malachi Langley (51.04). He then closed out his afternoon with a major heave in the shot put, a 52-8.25, an all-conditions PR. Not bad for a first meet.
Austin Kratz was flying to start off his senior season. The Dock Mennonite sprinter ran away with victories in both the 55 meter dash and the 200 meters. Kratz went 6.41 to win the 55 over Hill-Freedman's Armonte Paulk (6.52). Kratz then came back to run a US#1 21.96 to win the 200 meters. Both of those races are big signs that Kratz is prepared for a monster season.
Neumann Goretti's Kamil Jihad ran 1:59.23 to take the win in the 800 meters, showing he's fit and ready for some big times in the event this season. Pennsbury's Jed Scratchard was second in 2:00.22, but earlier in the day Scratchard took second in the mile in a time of 4:30.41, just behind Tatnall (DE)'s Brendan Balthis, who won in 4:29.37.
West Chester Rustin's Charles Dever started his season off the best way possible: with a PR. Dever jumped 15-1, a PA#2 and US#6 for the win. He was the best of the meet by over two and a half feet.
Boyertown looked strong in the DMR, running 11:06.10 for the win. That time is currently the best in the country. The Perkiomen Valley boys ran well in the 4x400 meter relay, going 3:36.57 for the win. PV's Cole Peterlin won the high jump, clearing 6-5 for the state lead.
Strath Haven's Dayo Abeeb won the triple jump with a leap of 43-10.