AAA Girls Preview: Evans & Woodall to light up sprints - Debich in pursuit of a record

 

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GREAT EIGHT

By Phil Grove

 

 



Five individual champions will be back to defend their titles when the Class AAA girls schedule kicks off with the high jump and shot put prelims Friday morning. And from the looks of the qualifying efforts from the district meets, the 2011 winners should fare well as each is one of the top 3 seeds in their specialties.

 
The Hurdles

This year’s 100-meter hurdles final should be a lot closer than 2011 when Shelley Black of Coughlin went sub-14 seconds on the straightaway. Eliana Yankelev of Lower Merion was the lone junior in last year’s race for gold and joins Kayla Coley of Cheltenham as the only sub-14.50 entries in this weekend’s field. Yankelev finished third in 2011.
 
The 300 hurdles appears to be up for grabs as the top 8 times are separated by just over a second. Mary Witmer of Ephrata is the lone qualifier under 44 seconds (43.80), and Dannah Hayward of Coughlin returns after finishing sixth last year to record-setter Leah Nugent’s 41.10 clocking.
 

The Distance Events

Saturday’s first track final – the 3,200 run – probably will look a lot like the 2011 championship race and last week’s District 1 final. Defending champion Tori Gerlach of Pennridge (10:24.19) and 2011 third-placer Meghan McGovern of North Penn were 1-2 at Coatesville and lead four other D-1 competitors among the fastest 8 qualifiers.
 
In the 1,600, Autumn Greba of Norwin jumped from the frying pan and into the fire a week ago. Her resounding victory over defending champion Margo Malone of North Hills in the District 7 (WPIAL) meet put her at the top of the time chart (4:52.41) and chopped a hefty 12 seconds off her PR. Four of the next six runners are veterans at the highest level, including Malone, who was a solid winner in 2011.
 
Emma Keenan of Gwynedd-Mercy will be going for her third consecutive state 800 title. The junior, who is almost five seconds ahead of No. 2 qualifier Ceaira Brown of Overbrook and more than six seconds ahead of the next five racers, won the 2011 outdoor and 2012 indoor crowns in convincing fashion. Brown placed in the 400 a year ago.
 

The Sprints

Kenya Woodall of Coatesville – last year’s runner-up – is nearly in rarified air in the 400 dash. Her district run of 54.06 is less than a second behind one of the oldest PIAA marks (Leaha Walker’s 53.11 from 1986). Woodall also is almost 1.6 seconds ahead of her closest competitor as two other finalists – Megan Lundy (6th) of Central York and Abby O’Connell (3rd) of North Hills – return from 2011.
 
As is always expected, a close final should develop from the 100 dash field. Quakertown’s Jody-Ann Evans, Central Dauphin East’s Deme’shia Davis and Chambersburg’s Jessica Whitmore claimed third through fifth in 2011 and are part of a top 8 that features only districts 1, 3 and 7. About two-tenths of a second separate the six fastest entering Shippensburg.
 
CD East’s Davis is back in the 200 and has the experience, but freshman Angelica Gonzalez of Red Lion has almost as much speed as evidenced by their bang-bang finish in District 3. Davis was third a year ago in a final that featured only two underclassmen. The top 8 are separated by 0.82 seconds.
 

The Jumps

Last year’s runner-up India McCoy of Ambridge Area returns as the No. 1 seed in the high jump. Also back is Taylor Morgan of Upper Dublin, who was fifth in 2011 and is an inch behind McCoy’s 5-7 qualifier. Twenty-three in the field cleared 5-3 or better to make the trip.
 
Local rivals – Larisa Debich (12-9) of Hempfield Area and defending champion Kasey Kemp (12-6) of Norwin – will battle one final time, with Debich having the upper hand during the 2012 regular season. Brooke Mancuso of North Allegheny (12-3) will look to make it a District 7 sweep of the pole vault as Amanda Benninghoff of Council Rock South (sixth in 2011 and 12-4) is the only other vaulter above 11-6.
 
Chambersburg’s Marshay Ryan has the inside track on a horizontal jump double, with her 39-8.5 in the triple a full 18 inches ahead of the only other competitor over 38, Katie Catania of Methacton. Ryan will look to defend her long jump title as the longest of four qualifiers over 18 feet at 18-9.5.
 

The Throws

About the only uncertainty in the shot put for Rachel Fatherly of Williamsport is whether she will be able to top the Class AA throwers for longest in the state. In the discus, Fatherly has a comfortable cushion over a pair of underclassmen, the only other two over 130 feet, as she looks to improve on last year’s pair of thirds as the top returnee. Less than half of the discus field reached the standard in qualifying.
 
Parkland’s Olivia Hassler is more than 8 feet ahead of the field in a javelin competition dominated by seniors and District 7 throwers. Jayme Rutkowski of Seneca Valley is the lone entry in the top 9 qualifiers that is not throwing for the final time as a prep, and District 7 has six of its seven throwers in the top 8 entries.
 
The Relays
 
Defending champion Norristown Area checks in at 47.68, taking the No. 2 qualifying spot in the 400 relay behind CD East’s 47.58. CD East was the runner-up a year ago.
 
A new champion will be crowned in the final event on the track. Central Bucks West ran 3:49.73 to qualify and is followed by six district foes and Greater Latrobe among the top 8 teams entered.
 
In last year’s 3,200 relay, West Chester Henderson registered a PIAA record of 8:55.43 for the victory. It might take another record to win Saturday as the defending champion battled Strath Haven in the District 1 meet, finishing a close second to the Panthers’ 9:04.65.

 

100 Meter Dash

1. 11.86 Jody-Ann Evans PA Quakertown 2013 05/18/2012 PIAA District 1 AAA Championships
2. 11.93 Taylor Williams PA Gwynedd-Mercy Academy 2014 04/21/2012 Morgan State University Legacy Track and Field Meet
3. 12.01p Kenya Woodall PA Coatesville 2012 05/18/2012 PIAA District 1 AAA Championships
4. 12.03 Zakiyyah Richardson PA Pennsbury 2012 05/18/2012 PIAA District 1 AAA Championships
5. 12.03 Deme'shia Davis PA Central Dauphin East 2012 05/18/2012 PIAA District 3 AAA Championships
6. 12.04 Natalia Pinkney PA Pennridge 2013 05/03/2012 Helman Invitational
7. 12.04s Angelica Gonzalez PA Red Lion 2015 05/18/2012 PIAA District 3 AAA Championships
8. 12.05 Kelecia Harris PA Pleasant Valley 2012 05/03/2012 Stroudsburg @ Pleasant Valley
9. 12.05 Sarah Helgeson PA Hempfield (3) 2014 05/11/2012 Lebanon-Lancaster League Championship

 

200 Meter Dash

1. 24.17 Taylor Williams PA Gwynedd-Mercy Academy 2014 05/04/2012 Jim Kehoe Twilight Invitational
2. 24.26 Deme'shia Davis PA Central Dauphin East 2012 05/18/2012 PIAA District 3 AAA Championships
3. 24.27 Angelica Gonzalez PA Red Lion 2015 05/18/2012 PIAA District 3 AAA Championships
4. 24.56p Jody-Ann Evans PA Quakertown 2013 05/18/2012 PIAA District 1 AAA Championships
5. 24.60 Sarah Helgeson PA Hempfield (3) 2014 05/18/2012 PIAA District 3 AAA Championships
6. 24.65sw Megan Lundy PA Central York 2012 05/18/2012 PIAA District 3 AAA Championships
7. 24.69 Jasmine Jones PA Hempfield Area (7) 2014 05/17/2012 PIAA District 7 AA & AAA Championships
8. 24.74 Zakiyyah Richardson PA Pennsbury 2012 05/18/2012 PIAA District 1 AAA Championships

 

400 Meter Dash

1. 54.06 Kenya Woodall PA Coatesville 2012 05/18/2012 PIAA District 1 AAA Championships
2. 55.59 Ceaira Brown PA Overbrook 2012 05/09/2012 Philadelphia Public League Championships
3. 55.64 Megan Lundy PA Central York 2012 05/18/2012 PIAA District 3 AAA Championships
4. 55.68 Sarah Helgeson PA Hempfield (3) 2014 04/21/2012 Shippensburg Jack Roddick HS Invitational
5. 55.81 Caela Williams PA Penn Wood 2013 05/18/2012 PIAA District 1 AAA Championships
6. 55.85 Emma Keenan PA Gwynedd-Mercy Academy 2013 04/14/2012 Bicentennial Athletic League Invitational
7. 55.91 Jordan Matthews PA Abington 2012 05/18/2012 PIAA District 1 AAA Championships
8. 55.93 Hanna Green PA Greater Latrobe 2013 05/17/2012 PIAA District 7 AA & AAA Championships

 

800 Meter Run

1. 2:08.08 Emma Keenan PA Gwynedd-Mercy Academy 2013 05/18/2012 PIAA District 1 AAA Championships
2. 2:11.53 Holly Sullivan PA Owen J. Roberts 2014 05/04/2012 7th Puma/Henderson Track & Field Invitational
3. 2:12.20 Tori Gerlach PA Pennridge 2012 05/03/2012 Helman Invitational
4. 2:12.73 Ceaira Brown PA Overbrook 2012 05/16/2012 PIAA District 12 AAA Championships
5. 2:14.33 Katie Keyser PA Garnet Valley 2014 05/03/2012 Girls Delco Championships
6. 2:14.34 Olivia Bolles PA Villa Maria Academy 2013 05/18/2012 PIAA District 1 AAA Championships
7. 2:14.53 Samantha Logan PA Knoch 2013 05/17/2012 PIAA District 7 AA & AAA Championships
8. 2:14.60 Greta Lindsley PA Penn Manor 2014 04/27/2012 5th Millersville High School Invitational

 

1600 Meter Run

1. 4:49.85 Tori Gerlach PA Pennridge 2012 04/14/2012 13th Annual Hurricane Track Classic
2. 4:52.41 Autumn Greba PA Norwin 2012 05/17/2012 PIAA District 7 AA & AAA Championships
3. 4:54.19 Margo Malone PA North Hills 2012 04/27/2012 Mars Invitational
4. 4:54.98 Marissa Sheva PA Pennridge 2015 05/11/2012 SOL Continental Conference Championships
5. 4:56.17 Shannon Malone PA North Hills 2013 04/27/2012 Mars Invitational
6. 4:57.13 Hannah Grossman PA Strath Haven 2012 05/03/2012 Girls Delco Championships
7. 4:57.14 Greta Lindsley PA Penn Manor 2014 05/18/2012 PIAA District 3 AAA Championships
8. 4:57.50 Sara Sargent PA Pennsbury 2013 05/18/2012 PIAA District 1 AAA Championships

 

3200 Meter Run

1. 10:24.19 Tori Gerlach PA Pennridge 2012 05/18/2012 PIAA District 1 AAA Championships
2. 10:31.77 Meghan McGovern PA North Penn 2012 05/18/2012 PIAA District 1 AAA Championships
3. 10:43.15 Kara Steinke PA Methacton 2014 05/04/2012 7th Puma/Henderson Track & Field Invitational
4. 10:45.42 Regan Rome PA Dallas 2014 04/21/2012 Shippensburg Jack Roddick HS Invitational
5. 10:47.64 Veronica Eder PA Central Bucks East 2013 05/18/2012 PIAA District 1 AAA Championships
6. 10:49.03 Amy Darlington PA Liberty 2012 05/16/2012 PIAA District 11 AAA Championships
7. 10:49.20 Paige Stoner PA Pottsville Area 2014 05/16/2012 PIAA District 11 AAA Championships
8. 10:49.38 Elizabeth Chikotas PA Saucon Valley 2014 05/16/2012 PIAA District 11 AAA Championships

 

100 Meter Hurdles

1. 14.31 Kayla Coley PA Cheltenham 2013 05/18/2012 PIAA District 1 AAA Championships
2. 14.42 Eliana Yankelev PA Lower Merion 2012 05/18/2012 PIAA District 1 AAA Championships
3. 14.62 Beatrice Goodyear PA Mount Lebanon 2013 05/17/2012 PIAA District 7 AA & AAA Championships
4. 14.64h Katelynn Williams PA Plymouth Whitemarsh 2012 04/18/2012 Plymouth Whitemarsh @ Cheltenham
5. 14.66p Ciara Leonard PA Cheltenham 2015 05/18/2012 PIAA District 1 AAA Championships
6. 14.69 Sydnee Jacques PA North Penn 2013 05/18/2012 PIAA District 1 AAA Championships
7. 14.72 Kristen Bass PA Conestoga Valley 2012 05/18/2012 PIAA District 3 AAA Championships
8. 14.77 Jenny Martin PA Methacton 2015 05/18/2012 PIAA District 1 AAA Championships

 

300 Meter Hurdles

1. 43.28 Kayla Coley PA Cheltenham 2013 05/11/2012 SOL American Conference Championships
2. 43.80 Mary Witmer PA Ephrata 2013 05/18/2012 PIAA District 3 AAA Championships
3. 44.30p Seline Tan-Torres PA Methacton 2013 05/18/2012 PIAA District 1 AAA Championships
4. 44.40 Dannah Hayward PA James M. Coughlin 2012 05/14/2012 PIAA District 2 AAA Championship
5. 44.65 Mikaila White PA Spring Ford 2012 05/18/2012 PIAA District 1 AAA Championships
6. 44.67 Quiana McIntosh PA Pottstown 2013 05/11/2012 Pioneer Athletic Conference Championships
7. 44.76p Sydnee Jacques PA North Penn 2013 05/18/2012 PIAA District 1 AAA Championships
8. 44.87 Damirah Graham PA Easton Area 2012 05/16/2012 PIAA District 11 AAA Championships

 

4x100 Meter Relay

1. 47.49 PA Coatesville 05/05/2012 Lower Merion Invitational
2. 47.58 PA Central Dauphin East 05/18/2012 PIAA District 3 AAA Championships
3. 47.63p PA Norristown 05/18/2012 PIAA District 1 AAA Championships
4. 47.84 PA Pennridge 05/18/2012 PIAA District 1 AAA Championships
5. 48.38 PA Penn Wood 05/03/2012 Girls Delco Championships
6. 48.41 PA Harry S Truman 05/18/2012 PIAA District 1 AAA Championships
7. 48.45 PA Central Bucks South 05/11/2012 SOL Continental Conference Championships
8. 48.56 PA Hempfield Area (7) 05/17/2012 PIAA District 7 AA & AAA Championships

 

4x400 Meter Relay

1. 3:49.73 PA Central Bucks West 05/18/2012 PIAA District 1 AAA Championships
2. 3:50.14 PA Coatesville 05/18/2012 PIAA District 1 AAA Championships
3. 3:50.68 PA Pennsbury 04/21/2012 Central Bucks West Relays
4. 3:51.79 PA Strath Haven 05/18/2012 PIAA District 1 AAA Championships
5. 3:53.62 PA Penn Wood 05/03/2012 Girls Delco Championships
6. 3:53.98 PA Central Bucks South 05/18/2012 PIAA District 1 AAA Championships
7. 3:54.59p PA Pennridge 05/18/2012 PIAA District 1 AAA Championships
8. 3:56.15 PA Abington 04/26/2012 The Penn Relays Carnival

 

4x800 Meter Relay

1. 9:04.65 PA Strath Haven 05/18/2012 PIAA District 1 AAA Championships
2. 9:05.18 PA West Chester Henderson 05/18/2012 PIAA District 1 AAA Championships
3. 9:12.32 PA Downingtown East 05/18/2012 PIAA District 1 AAA Championships
4. 9:12.63 PA Garnet Valley 05/18/2012 PIAA District 1 AAA Championships
5. 9:15.48 PA Pennsbury 05/18/2012 PIAA District 1 AAA Championships
6. 9:15.80 PA Bethel Park 05/17/2012 PIAA District 7 AA & AAA Championships
7. 9:16.12 PA Methacton 05/18/2012 PIAA District 1 AAA Championships
8. 9:17.43 PA Central Bucks South 05/18/2012 PIAA District 1 AAA Championships

 

Long Jump

1. 19-2 Diamond Hodge PA Girls' High 2013 05/09/2012 Philadelphia Public League Championships
2. 19-1.5 Ciara Andrews PA Cheltenham 2012 05/03/2012 Montgomery Memorial Meet
3. 18-11 Maddie Holmberg PA Hempfield Area (7) 2015 04/28/2012 90th Westmoreland County Coaches Association
4. 18-11 Jordan Matthews PA Abington 2012 05/11/2012 SOL National Conference Championships
5. 18-10 Shatori Walker-Kimbrough PA Hopewell 2013 05/04/2012 39th Annual Brooks Sports/Elite R&W Baldwin Invitational
6. 18-9.5 Marshay Ryan PA Chambersburg 2013 05/18/2012 PIAA District 3 AAA Championships
7. 18-3.5 Holly Sullivan PA Owen J. Roberts 2014 04/21/2012 R. Joseph Kellerman Great Valley Relays
8. 18-1.75 Anna Chodubski PA McDowell 2013 05/04/2012 39th Annual Brooks Sports/Elite R&W Baldwin Invitational

 

Triple Jump

1. 40-5 Marshay Ryan PA Chambersburg 2013 05/12/2012 Mid-Penn Conference Champs
2. 38-10.75 Ramonia Benitez PA Pocono Mountain West 2012 04/27/2012 ASD Invitational
3. 38-5.5 Diamond Hodge PA Girls' High 2013 04/07/2012 PW Colonial Relays
4. 38-3.5 Jayna Coyle PA Somerset Area 2013 05/04/2012 63rd Annual West Central Coaches Large School (AAA) Invitational
5. 38-3 Paige Kassab PA Meadville Area 2012 05/04/2012 39th Annual Brooks Sports/Elite R&W Baldwin Invitational
6. 38-2.5 Katie Catania PA Methacton 2012 05/18/2012 PIAA District 1 AAA Championships
7. 38-1 Shatori Walker-Kimbrough PA Hopewell 2013 05/08/2012 WPIAL AAA North Section Qualifier
8. 38-1 Ebony Grasty PA Wissahickon 2012 05/11/2012 SOL American Conference Championships

 

High Jump

1. 5-8 Taylor Morgan PA Upper Dublin 2012 04/26/2012 The Penn Relays Carnival
2. 5-7 Ahmenah Richardson PA Milton Hershey 2012 04/21/2012 Shippensburg Jack Roddick HS Invitational
3. 5-7 India Mccoy PA Ambridge Area 2013 05/17/2012 PIAA District 7 AA & AAA Championships
4. 5-6 Cyre Virgo PA Fleetwood Area 2015 03/31/2012 28th Pennsylvania Track Classic
5. 5-6 Paige Rittelmann PA Butler 2012 04/13/2012 Butler Invitational 48th Boys 11th Girls Annual
6. 5-6 Arianna Camel PA Gettysburg Area High School 2013 04/14/2012 7th Arctic Blast Invitational
7. 5-6 Jamila Janneh PA New Oxford 2012 04/14/2012 7th Arctic Blast Invitational
8. 5-6 Jane Lukas PA Nazareth Area 2013 04/24/2012 Nazareth, Emmaus @ Liberty (11)
9. 5-6 Paige Kassab PA Meadville Area 2012 05/04/2012 39th Annual Brooks Sports/Elite R&W Baldwin Invitational

 

Pole Vault

1. 13-0.25 Larisa Debich PA Hempfield Area (7) 2012 05/04/2012 39th Annual Brooks Sports/Elite R&W Baldwin Invitational
2. 12-6 Kasey Kemp PA Norwin 2012 05/17/2012 PIAA District 7 AA & AAA Championships
3. 12-4 Amanda Benninghoff PA Council Rock South 2013 05/18/2012 PIAA District 1 AAA Championships
4. 12-3 Brooke Mancuso PA North Allegheny 2013 05/17/2012 PIAA District 7 AA & AAA Championships
5. 11-9 Grace Giampetro PA Villa Maria Academy 2012 04/28/2012 9th Annual Unionville Invitational
6. 11-9 Stacey Nagele PA Quakertown 2012 04/21/2012 Central Bucks West Relays
7. 11-8 Danielle Poletti PA Hempfield (3) 2014 05/11/2012 Lebanon-Lancaster League Championship
8. 11-6 Molly Love PA State College Area High School 2012 04/10/2012 Altoona @ State College
9. 11-6 Lexi Masterson PA Hempfield Area (7) 2013 04/13/2012 GL 10th Wildcat/HA 21st Lady Spartan Invitational
10. 11-6 Olivia Loy PA Cedar Cliff 2012 05/12/2012 Mid-Penn Conference Champs
11. 11-6 Julia Molloy PA William Allen 2012 05/16/2012 PIAA District 11 AAA Championships
12. 11-6 Casie Hain PA Governor Mifflin 2012 05/18/2012 PIAA District 3 AAA Championships

 

Shot Put

1. 47-11.5 Rachel Fatherly PA Williamsport Area 2012 04/14/2012 Susquehanna HS Outdoor Invitational
2. 41-8.5 Sarah Fairbanks PA Elizabethtown Area 2012 05/18/2012 PIAA District 3 AAA Championships
3. 40-11.75 Jaynee Corbett PA Corry Area 2013 05/16/2012 PIAA District 10 AAA Championship
4. 40-11.75 Courtney McCartney PA Selinsgrove 2015 05/19/2012 PIAA District 4 AA-AAA Championship
5. 40-8 Martina Milcec PA Norwin 2012 05/17/2012 PIAA District 7 AA & AAA Championships
6. 40-3.5 Rachel Fyalkowski PA Hempfield Area (7) 2013 05/17/2012 PIAA District 7 AA & AAA Championships
7. 40-3 Megan Ross PA Haverford Township HS 2012 04/14/2012 Delco T&F Relay Carnival
8. 40-1.75 Gracie Hargrove PA Liberty 2013 05/09/2012 Colonial/Lehigh League Championships

 

Discus

1. 140-9 Rachel Fatherly PA Williamsport Area 2012 05/19/2012 PIAA District 4 AA-AAA Championship
2. 137-5 Taylor Hojnacki PA Central Bucks South 2014 05/18/2012 PIAA District 1 AAA Championships
3. 137-1 Jenn Slagus PA North Pocono 2013 05/09/2012 7th Robert Spagna Championships (Lackawanna Ct)
4. 130-6 Samantha Merz PA Elizabeth Forward 2013 05/04/2012 39th Annual Brooks Sports/Elite R&W Baldwin Invitational
5. 128-8 Sarah Fairbanks PA Elizabethtown Area 2012 04/26/2012 The Penn Relays Carnival
6. 126-2.5 Natalie Frisina PA Bradford Area 2012 04/24/2012 District 9 League Track Meet
7. 123-7 Courtney McCartney PA Selinsgrove 2015 04/20/2012 Mount Carmel Invtational
8. 123-4 Ava Bonetti PA Butler 2013 05/17/2012 PIAA District 7 AA & AAA Championships

 

Javelin

1. 149-10 Olivia Hassler PA Parkland 2012 05/16/2012 PIAA District 11 AAA Championships
2. 143-2 Samantha Taylor PA Gateway 2012 03/31/2012 South Hills Classic
3. 141-5 Mira Carrozza PA Canon-McMillan 2012 05/17/2012 PIAA District 7 AA & AAA Championships
4. 138-8 Maria Pierce PA Laurel Highlands 2012 05/04/2012 39th Annual Brooks Sports/Elite R&W Baldwin Invitational
5. 138-0 Jayme Rutkowski PA Seneca Valley 2013 05/17/2012 PIAA District 7 AA & AAA Championships
6. 135-10 Julia Franzosa PA Hazleton Area 2012 05/14/2012 PIAA District 2 AAA Championship
7. 133-11 Cait Mautz PA Central Bucks West 2013 05/11/2012 SOL Continental Conference Championships
8. 133-8 Alejandra Willequer PA Cumberland Valley 2013 04/07/2012 11th Bruce Dallas Invitational