The Indoor Track and Field season comes to an end in Pennsylvania this Sunday on the campus of Penn State University. The one day championship is packed with non-stop action starting with the 4x800m relay at 10:00am and ending with the 4x400m relay. Central Pennsylvania will be well-represented at the event. We highlight each of our local performers by event below.
60mH
Emmanuel Niang, Central Dauphin East, Sr
Current State Rank – #2
Current Season Best – 8.15 seconds
Niang has the area’s top 60mH time this indoor season. The CD East senior has seen his PR improve by 0.65 seconds from the 2018 campaign. This will be his first state championship meet and he could come away with state gold.
Chase Longenecker, State College, Sr
Current State Rank – #3
Current Season Best – 8.19
The Penn State University signee finished 6th at this championship in 2018 and has lowered his PR to 8.19 this year. He has won 2 state medals to date and will challenge for his first gold this weekend.
Kobe Jenkins, Susquehanna Township, Sr
Current State Rank – #7
Current Season Best – 8.38 seconds
Jenkins has lowered his PR in the 60mH by 0.31 seconds this season. He most recently ran 8.38 while placing 2nd at the PTFCA Indoor Carnival on February 7th. He’s in good position to earn his first state medal on Sunday.
Payton Rohrbaugh, Bermudian Springs, Sr
Current State Rank – #16
Current Season Best – 8.51 seconds
The Bermudian Springs senior competed in both 110m and 300m hurdle events at last years PIAA AA Outdoor Championships. This will be his first indoor state meet. He has improved upon his 2018 season best by 0.41 seconds.
Jaidyn Parris, Milton Hershey, Sr
Current State Rank – #17
Current Season Best – 8.53
Parris has improved by 0.67 seconds over last indoor season, making him most improved on our list. This will be his first state championship event. He most recently finished 4th at the PTFCA Indoor Carnival where he ran is PR of 8.53 seconds. He will look to ride that momentum into championship weekend.
Isaiah Barnes, Altoona, Sr
Current State Rank – #19
Current Season Best – 8.54
Barnes has improved by 0.51 seconds over his 2018 indoor 60mH time. He ran his PR of 8.54 at the State College HS Invite #3 and placed 2nd overall. This will be his first state championship meet.
Top 3 seeds:
1. Scott Honicker, Owen J. Roberts, Sr – 8.10 seconds
2. Emmanuel Niang, Central Dauphin East, Sr – 8.15 seconds
3. Chase Longenecker, State College, Sr – 8.19 seconds
The champion will likely come from one of these three. Honicker and Longenecker both have championship experience. Honicker placed 4th last year and is undefeated this season. Longenecker finished 6th at last year’s indoor championship. Niang has improved significantly from last season and could rise to the occasion on a fast track against the best in the state.
60m Dash
Shawn Brown, Central Dauphin East, Jr
Current State Rank – #1
Current Season Best – 6.90 seconds
Brown has been the most dominant short sprinter in PA this season. His only loss came to the #2 ranked sprinter out of Ohio in early January. He leads a very strong contingent of sprinters out of CD East. While he didn’t make finals in the 60m last year, he would go on to finish 3rd in the 100m at the PIAA AAA Outdoor Championships in 10.73s. He would go for his first state gold medal this weekend.
Stephon Brown, Central Dauphin East, Sr
Current State Rank – #3
Current Season Best – 6.95 seconds
This will be Stephon Brown’s first individual state championship’s event. He has improved by 0.31 seconds over his season best from one year ago and comes into the state meet ranked #3 in PA.
Ezra Mellinger, Lampeter Strasburg, Sr
Current State Rank – #5
Current Season Best – 6.96 seconds
Mellinger is more known for his prowess as a long jumper, but he has improved his short sprint speed this season, dipping under the 7s mark two times. He most recently won the PTFCA Indoor Carnival 60m in 6.97 seconds. The Duke University pledge will look to add his first sprinting state medal this year.
Tyeshawn Worrell, Chambersburg, Jr
Current State Rank – #9
Current Season Best – 7.00 seconds
Tyeshawn Worrell has flirted with going sub 7 on a couple of occasions this indoor season. He most recently finished 2nd to Ezra Mellinger at the PTFCA Indoor Carnival and has a season best 7.00s from the Susquehanna University Indoor Classic. If he can break the 7s barrier this weekend he will likely find himself on the podium. He placed 9th a year ago.
Kamere Day, Harrisburg, Jr
Current State Rank – #13
Current Season Best – 7.03 seconds
Kamere Day is the 3rd Mid-Penn Conference junior and 4th overall to make this list. This will be his first state championship meet. Like Stephon Brown, he too has improved by 0.31 seconds over last season. He has been quietly improving throughout the season and is coming off of his lifetime best winning the Feb 14th State College HS Invite #3 in 7.03 seconds.
Bryce Baker, Central Dauphin East, Jr
Current State Rank – #16
Current Season Best – 7.07 seconds
Baker is the third CD East athlete to qualify for the 60m dash. He is another Mid-Penn Conference athlete and junior year competitor. This is his first state championship meet. He qualified while placing 3rd at the PTFCA Indoor Carnival running 7.07 seconds.
Drew Roman, East Pennsboro, Sr
Current State Rank – #20
Current Season Best – 7.08 seconds
The Lehigh University commit has improved year over year and has dropped his 60m best from last year of 7.32s to 7.08s this season. He will be looking for his first state medal this weekend in either the 60m or 200m dash. If you’re keeping track, Roman is the 6th Mid-Penn competitor racing in the 60m dash.
Tyler Byrd, Bishop McDevitt, Sr
Current State Rank – #20
Current Season Best – 7.08 seconds
Byrd will be making his 2nd appearance at the PTFCA Indoor State Meet this weekend. He placed 17th last year in the 60m. He will be looking to break his PR of 7.07 set last season. Look for him to make more noise in the longer sprints. He finished 6th last year at 200m.
Dejon Manning, J.P. McCaskey, Jr
Current State Rank – #25
Current Season Best – 7.09 seconds
Manning is a versatile sprinter who has set PRs in every sprint and hurdle event this indoor season (55m, 60m, 200m, 300m, 400m, 55mH, 60mH). This is his first state championships, but shouldn’t be his last. Look for him to make some noise at 300mH this outdoor season.
Top 3 seeds:
1. Shawn Brown, Central Dauphin East, Jr – 6.90
2. Daiyaan Hawkins, The Haverford School, Jr – 6.92
3. Stephon Brown, Central Dauphin East, Sr – 6.95
3. Devon Tate, Lower Merion, Sr – 6.95
This event is wide open as 8 sprinters have broken the 7 second barrier this year. Shawn Brown has a strong chance of bringing gold back to CD East HS.
200m Dash
Drew Roman, East Pennsboro, Sr
Current State Rank – #10
Current Season Best – 22.38 seconds
Drew Roman is coming off of his best indoor performance to date, running a 7.08s 60m and 22.38s 200m double at the State College HS Invite #3 on Feb 14th. His 200m time was an indoor PR of nearly 1 second.
Kamere Day, Harrisburg, Jr
Current State Rank – #11
Current Season Best – 22.39 seconds
Just like his Mid-Penn counterpart, Drew Roman, Kamere Day is also coming off an outstanding double at the State College HS Invite. He dropped a 7.03s 60m and 22.39s 200m double. His 22.39 is an all-condition PR at 200m.
Jerome Jessup, Red Lion, Sr
Current State Rank – #14
Current Season Best – 22.46 seconds
Jessup competed at both the 2017 and 2018 PIAA AAA Outdoor State Championships. This will be his first indoor state meet. He is only 0.2s away from the #8 seed in the event.
Tyler Byrd, Bishop McDevitt, Sr
Current State Rank – #18
Current Season Best – 22.56
Byrd is certainly capable of improving upon his state ranking. He placed 6th overall at this meet one year ago in a PR time of 22.25. Going into the 2018 indoor championships he had a PR of 22.87, so he is ahead of where he was last year having run 22.56 in 2019. Don’t be surprised if he ends up on the podium.
Top 3 seeds:
1. Savion Hebron, Neshaminy, Sr – 21.72
2. Daiyaan Hawkins, The Haverford School, Jr – 21.84
3. Austin Montgomery, Norristown, Jr – 21.91
4 boys have broken the 22 second mark this indoor season. 3 others are within 0.25s of doing so. Montgomery defeated Hawkins at the Ocean Breeze Invite in late January. This should be a fun race to watch!
400m Dash
Jerome Jessup, Red Lion, Sr
Current State Rank – #8
Current Season Best – 50.17 seconds
Jessup set both 200m and 400m indoor PRs on January 5th. If his training has been going well between then and now he could be looking at a nice improvement at states this weekend. This will be his first meet in a month.
Zachary DeCarmine, State College, Jr
Current State Rank – #10
Current Season Best – 50.23 seconds
The State College junior has set all-condition PRs at 400m and 800m this indoor season. The long hurdler during the outdoor season has positioned himself very well for 300/400m hurdle success this spring. Before then, he should contend for a top 8 state finish at 400m indoors.
David Williams, Cumberland Valley, Soph
Current State Rank – #15
Current Season Best – 50.45 seconds
One of the younger competitors at the state meet will be Cumberland Valley sophomore David Williams. He dropped a big all-condition PR in the 400m at last weeks State College HS Invite running 50.45 seconds.
Top 3 seeds:
1. Anderson Dimon, Pennridge, Sr – 48.41
2. Savion Hebron, Neshaminy, Sr – 48.56
3. Salim Epps, Saint Joseph’s Prep, Jr – 49.07
Could Dimon or Hebron challenge the 48 second barrier? Quite possibly. Dimon ran a PR of 48.41 on the flat track at Lehigh last weekend. He should get a nice boost running on the banked surface at Penn State University.
800m Run
Tyler Shue, Ephrata, Jr
Current State Rank – #3
Current Season Best – 1:55.93
Shue was the 800m state runner-up at both PA indoor and outdoor state championships last season. He has PR’d at 400m and the mile run this indoor season. He has yet to run on a banked surface over 800m this indoor season. Expect a nice time drop this weekend for the Ephrata junior as he battles for his first state title.
Jack Wisner, Carlisle, Sr
Current State Rank – #5
Current Season Best – 1:56.33
Jack Wisner has set indoor PRs in the 400, 800, and one mile run this season. His 400m PR of 50.76 is an all-condition best time. The University of Pittsburgh recruit will be competing on a banked surface for the first time this weekend. With his improved speed over 400m, look for him to challenge for a top 3 podium spot at 800m.
Joe Messner, State College, Sr
Current State Rank – #21
Current Season Best – 1:59.45
This will be Messner’s first track and field state championship meet. His 1:59.45 PR from last week was a big all-time best, dropping over 4 seconds from his 2018 outdoor 800m time.
Connor Shields, Warwick, Sr
Current State Rank – #26
Current Season Best – 1:59.78
Shields is coming off a great XC season in which he placed 20th overall at the PIAA AAA State Championships. The Notre Dame commit has achieved indoor PRs this season at 800m and 1600m. This will be his first state championship appearance at 800m.
Top 3 seeds:
1. David Endres, CB East, Sr – 1:55.19
2. Matt Eissler, Pennridge, Sr – 1:55.48
3. Tyler Shue, Ephrata, Jr – 1:55.93
Tyler Shue and Jack Wisner have shown the ability to compete with the best in the state. This weekend will be both of their first opportunity to run on a banked surface. Shue is trying to double at 1600 and 800. While Endres is the current state #1, Eissler has an Outdoor PR under 1:53. This should be a close race.
1 Mile Run
Tyler Shue, Ephrata, Jr
Current State Rank – #4
Current Season Best – 4:20.76
This will be the first time Shue has competed at the state level at 1600m/mile run. He has a season and personal best mile time of 4:20.76 from back in mid-January. He’s also PR’d this winter at 400m. His first state gold medal may come in the mile run on Sunday.
Nathan Grucelski, Conestoga Valley, Sr
Current State Rank – #5
Current Season Best – 4:21.43
Are you a younger runner looking for inspiration? Check out the progression Grucelski has made from his freshman year until now. The US Naval Academy commit has made impressive progress each year and now finds himself ranked in the top 5 in the state for the mile run. He has run indoor PRs in the 800m, mile, and 3k this season and seems primed to take home his first state medal this weekend.
Chayce Macknair, Mifflin County, Sr
Current State Rank – #9
Current Season Best – 4:23.41
Chayce Macknair has transitioned well into track following his stellar senior XC season where he finished 8th overall at the AAA State Championship. He has lowered his indoor mile PR 13 seconds from last year and seems primed to take home his first indoor state medal this season. He finished 11th at 3k at last years PTFCA Indoor Championships. Macknair is committed to Shippensburg University.
Luke Klingenberg, Cumberland Valley, Sr
Current Season Rank – #22
Current Season Best – 4:27.96
In his first season competing in Pennsylvania, Klingenberg has already made a nice name for himself. He placed 17th at the PIAA AAA XC Champiosnhips this fall and has qualified into the state indoor mile championships with his 4:27.96 mile time from last week. That was just his first indoor mile this season. Klingenberg has committed to Temple University.
Connor Shields, Warwick, Sr
Current State Rank – #25
Current Season Best – 4:29.03
While Shields has also qualified for states in the 800m, up until now he has had more success at the 1600m/mile run distance. Like some of the competitors mentioned before, Shields had a great XC season that was capped off with his 20th place finish at the AAA state championships. He has an outdoor 1600m PR of 4:22. He last ran the mile 1 month ago and could be in for a nice time drop come Sunday. He finished 9th in this event last winter. He is committed to Notre Dame.
Top 3 seeds:
1. Jonah Powell, Grove City, Sr – 4:17.46
2. Patrick Anderson, Mount Lebanon, Jr – 4:19.07
3. Tyler Shue, Ephrata. Jr – 4:20.76
This race features the 2018 PA State XC Champs in AA (Powell) and AAA (Anderson). It also features the top returning 800m runner in the state in Tyler Shue. A total of 8 athletes have run under 4:22 in the state this year. If someone is willing to take it out, this could be a very fast and competitive mile run.
3000m Run
Ian Miller, Manheim Township, Sr
Current State Rank – #2
Current Season Best – 8:50.06
Miller was 7th last season in this event and is coming off a terrific senior cross country where he finished 13th overall at the AAA State Championships. He has set indoor 1600m and 3000m PRs this winter. He most recently won the PTFCA Indoor Carnival 3k in 8:50.06. He’s one of only a few athletes that can challenge state #1 Zach Kinne for state gold. The Manheim Township senior is committed to High Point University.
Brayden Harris, Mifflin County, Soph
Current State Rank – #3
Current Season Best – 8:51.73
Brayden Harris is one of the top underclassman in the country. He placed 4th at this past year’s PIAA AAA XC Championships. He came close to qualifying for the Footlocker National XC championships with his 12th place Northeast Region finish. Harris has set indoor PRs at 800m, 1600m, mile run, 3k, and 3200m this winter. Expect him to compete with seniors Ian Miller and Zach Kinne for state gold.
Ben Kuhn, Wyomissing, Jr
Current State Rank – #4
Current Season Best – 8:52.27
The Wyomissing junior finished 9th at the PIAA AA XC Championships this fall and has set indoor mile run and 3k PRs this winter. He placed 9th at 3200m during the 2018 PIAA AA Track and Field Championships. He has dropped 20s in his 3k time from last indoor season. He should win his first track state medal this weekend.
Andrew Foster, Ephrata, Sr
Current State Rank –
Current Season Best – 9:28.60 (3200m time)
Foster qualified into the 3k state final off of his 9:31.92 2-mile time at the VA Showcase in mid-January. He has competed in only one race since then and PR’d in the 800m run. Like those mentioned before him, he too had a great XC season, placing 19th at the PIAA AAA Championship. The Ephrata senior is committed to Shippensburg University.
Top 3 seeds:
1. Zach Kinne, North Allegheny, Sr – 8:41.22
2. Ian Miller, Manheim Township, Sr – 8:50.06
3. Brayden Harris, Mifflin County, Soph – 8:51.73
All four Central PA competitors will have a legitimate shot at a top 3 finish on Sunday. Expect a close race with multiple athletes in gold medal reach with 2-3 laps to go. This one should be fun to watch.
Shot Put
Jeff Kline, Fleetwood, Jr
Current State Rank – #4
Current Season Best – 58-0.5
Jeff Kline has improved over 3 feet from last year. In 6 events this indoor season he has tossed the shot over 56 feet in all but one. In the one he didn’t, he threw 55-11.25. He finished 3rd last year at indoor states and 4th at outdoor states.
Brock Gingrich, Cocalico, Jr
Current State Rank – #6
Current Season Best – 54-9.25
Gingrich has improved by 7.5 feet from last outdoor season. 7.5 feet!! He’s coming off a lifetime best toss of 54-9.25 from the PTFCA Indoor Carnival. He’s thrown over 51 feet at each of his 4 meets this indoor season. In just his first state championships, the Cocalico junior is in good position to win his first state medal.
Brock Harmon, Chambersburg, Jr
Current Season Rank – #7
Current Season Best – 53-1.75
Harmon placed 11th at the indoor state meet last winter and then 15th at the outdoor state championships. He’s been consistently performing at a higher level than last year, throwing over 52 feet at three different meets. His 53-1.75 PR comes from the Mercersburg Invitational back on January 18. He will be looking for his first state podium finish this weekend.
Jack Miller, Wilson, Jr
Current Season Rank – #12
Current Season Best – 52-6.5
Jack Miller has improved by nearly 8 feet over his best throw from last outdoor season! He’s coming off his season and lifetime best toss while winning the North Shore HS Pre-National invite on February 15th. This will be his first state championship meet.
Top 3 seeds:
1. Brock Grundy, Hickory, Sr – 60-7
2. Nickolas Hyde, Somerset, Sr – 60-1
3. Connor Vass-Gal, Wilmington, Soph – 58-4.5
The state’s top 5 in the shot have all thrown 56-10 or better and figure to battle it out for state gold. This includes Fleetwood’s Jeff Kline. After that, the competition opens up a bit. Any of our local throwers have a chance to finish inside the top 8.
High Jump
Juan Mato-Segura, Reading, Sr
Current State Rank – #1
Current Season Best – 6-8
In 4 competitions so far this year, Mato-Segura has cleared at least 6-6 in every one of them. He most recently won the PTFCA Indoor Carnival with a 6-7 leap. He was runner-up at last year’s indoor state meet, is undefeated this season, and should be the favorite to win gold this year. He is committed to Rider University.
Kolt Byers, Bermudian Springs, Jr
Current State Rank – #3
Current Season Best – 6-6
Byers is the defending state indoor champion. Last year he cleared 6-6 to win the state title at Penn State. He would finish 4th at the outdoor state meet. His season best jump of 6-6 comes from back in late December. He has cleared 6-4 a couple of times since. To defend his title he will likely need to clear at least 6-6.
Stanley Hamilton, State College, Sr
Current Season Rank – #8
Current Season Best – 6-3
Hamilton is better known for his horizontal jumping, however, he did finish 11th in the high jump at the 2018 PTFCA State Championships. He has won a state medal in the triple jump and will battle for a top 8 finish in the high jump on Sunday.
Conrad Moore, State College, Soph
Current Season Rank – #8
Current Season Best – 6-3
Moore is just one of three underclassman participating in the high jump. He cleared 6-3 at State College on February 14th to qualify for the competition. He has an outdoor best of 6-4. He placed 23rd at the PIAA AAA Outdoor Championships last spring as only a freshman.
Joe Cardina, Conestoga Valley, Sr
Current Season Rank – #15
Current Season Best – 6-2
This will be Cardina’s first state championship competition. He qualified into the meet by clearing 6-2 at the State College HS Invite on February 14th.
Obed Bawmungwa, Conestoga Valley, Sr
Current Season Rank – #15
Current Season Best – 6-2
Bawmungwa has improved by 4 inches this indoor season over his previous lifetime best. This will be his first state championship meet.
Camdyn Allen, Susquehanna Township, Sr
Current Season Rank – #15
Current Season Best – 6-2
Camdyn Allen qualifies into the state championship off of his 4th place finish, 6-2 clearance, from the Franklin and Marshall Invite on Jan 26th. This will be his first state championship.
Top 3 seeds:
1. Juan Mato-Segura, Reading, Sr – 6-8
1. Cole Peterlin, Perkiomen Valley, Sr – 6-8
3. Kasey Savage, Hatboro Horsham, Soph – 6-6
3. Kolt Byers, Bermudian Springs, Jr – 6-6
5 athletes in the state have cleared 6-5 or better this indoor season. 22 jumpers have cleared 6-2 to 6-4. Any competitor in this field has a chance of finishing within the top 8 and on the medal stand. Juan Mato-Segura and Kolt Byers both figure into the gold medal battle.
Long Jump
Ezra Mellinger, Lampeter Strasburg, Sr
Current Season Rank – #1
Current Season Best – 23-11.5
Mellinger has been on fire this season. His sprint speed has improved which has led to improvements in the long jump pit. He will be looking to be on the medal stand in the 60m dash and will be looking for gold in the long jump. In his three meets since January, Mellinger has jumped 23-8.5 or better. He finished 3rd at last year’s indoor state championships and finished 11th during the outdoor season. He is the favorite to win gold this weekend. He is committed to Duke University.
Jake Hefkin, State College, Sr
Current Season Rank – #2
Current Season Best – 23-4.5
Jake Hefkin broke out in a big way at the State College HS Invite on February 14th, jumping a lifetime best 23-4.5. He finished 14th at indoor state last year and improved to 7th in the state during the outdoor season. He figures to move up the podium once again on Sunday and could challenge Ezra Mellinger for state gold.
Lance Hamilton, State College, Sr
Current Season Rank – #5
Current Season Best – 22-8.5
Hamilton placed 4th at this meet last winter and then finished 6th at the PIAA AAA Outdoor state meet. His 22-8.5 comes from the February 14 State College HS Invitational and was an indoor PR. He has a lifetime best of 23-8.5 from last spring’s District 6 championships. Hamilton certainly has the potential to challenge for state gold. He is committed to Penn State University.
Stanley Hamilton, State College, Sr
Current State Rank – #11
Current Season Best – 22-2.75
Stanley Hamilton continues to improve in the long jump. He has improved by nearly 1 foot from his 2018 outdoor PR. This will be the first time he has competed in the long jump at a state championship event. Another PR could net him a state medal.
Jakari Lomax, Harrisburg, Sr
Current State Rank – #13
Current Season Best – 22-1.75
Lomax is better known for his triple jumping, but he has quietly been improving in the long jump throughout his high school career. This will be the first time he has competed at state competition in the long jump. Lomax is committed to Youngstown State University.
Colson Martin, Spring Grove, Jr
Current State Rank – #15
Current Season Best – 22-1.25
Colson Martin is just 1 of 2 non-seniors competing in the state long jump championship. The junior from Spring Grove finished 9th at last year’s indoor championship and 12th at the PIAA outdoor championship. This indoor season was his first breaking the 22-foot barrier.
Top 3 seeds:
1. Ezra Mellinger, Lampeter Strasburg, Sr – 23-11.5
2. Jake Hefkin, State College, Sr – 23-4.5
3. Brian Phillips, Hickory, Sr – 22-10
Ezra Mellinger is the favorite to win state gold and will likely be looking to surpass the 24-foot mark. Don’t rule out the State College duo of Jake Hefkin and Lance Hamilton who will look to challenge Mellinger for the state title.
Triple Jump
Lance Hamilton, State College, Sr
Current State Rank – #1
Current Season Best – 47-11.75
In 2018, Lance Hamilton was 4th in the state indoors and 3rd in the state outdoors. He went on to set a lifetime triple jump PR of 48-9.5 finishing 9th overall at the New Balance Outdoor National Championships. He enters PTFCAs with the #1 jump in PA and will be looking for his first state gold medal.
Stanley Hamilton, State College, Sr
Current State Rank – #2
Current Season Best – 47-3.25
Stanley Hamilton hasn’t competed in the triple jump since surpassing the 47-foot mark in late January. He has qualified for the state championships in the high jump and long jump as well. The triple jump is his best event. He and Lance are the only two jumpers to break 47-feet this season. He finished 5th at this championship last year and figures to challenge for gold on Sunday.
Jakari Lomax, Harrisburg, Sr
Current State Rank – #7
Current Season Best – 45-10.25
Lomax was the state indoor runner-up in the triple jump last year with a lifetime best leap of 48-7. Entering the event last season his season best was 44-10. He enters this years championship a foot ahead of where he was last year. If there is anyone currently not in the state’s top 5 that could challenge for gold, it’s Lomax. He finished 4th in the state during the 2018 outdoor campaign.
Will Rivers, Manheim Central, Sr
Current State Rank – #12
Current Season Best – 44-7.75
The 2019 PTFCA Indoor Championships will be Rivers first state meet. His 44-7.75 jump from the Kevin Dare Invite is a lifetime best. He is committed to West Chester University.
Jake Hefkin, State College, Sr
Current State Rank – #14
Current Season Best – 43-10.75
Hefkin finished 15th during last season’s indoor state championships. He has jumped really well in both the long and triple jump over his last two meets and could be primed for a season best performance on Sunday.
Anthony DeFusco, Daniel Boone, Jr
Current State Rank – #15
Current Season Best – 43-9.75
DeFusco is one of only 3 non-seniors competing at the state championships in the triple jump. He has improved 5 feet from the 2018 indoor season. This will be his first state championship meet. This experience should help propel him into the outdoor season and ultimately into his senior season in 2020.
Top 3 seeds:
1. Lance Hamilton State College, Sr – 47-11.75
2. Stanley Hamilton, State College, Sr – 47-3.25
3. Logan Williamson, Neshaminy, Sr – 46-9
This appears to be a battle between the Hamilton’s. They are the only two PA competitors to clear 47 feet this season. Don’t count out Harrisburg’s Jakari Lomax. He has an impressive triple jump resume and could challenge the State College duo for gold.
Pole Vault
Luke Knipe State College, Sr
Current State Rank – #1
Current Season Best – 15-6
Knipe adds to a very impressive State College High field’s event crew. He and 2 other teammates have qualified for the state championships in the pole vault. He has cleared at least 15 feet in his past 5 indoor meets, most recently clearing a lifetime best 15-6 at the State College HS Invite on February 14th. He placed 11th at last season’s PTFCAs and improved to 7th in the state at the PIAA outdoor championships. He looks for gold on Sunday. Luke Knipe is committed to Penn State University.
Matt Julian, Penn Manor, Sr
Current State Rank – #4
Current Season Best – 15-0
Matt Julian has improved upon his lifetime PR by 1.5 feet this indoor season. He won the PTFCA Indoor Carnival with a 15-0 PR jump. This will be his first state championships meet and he will compete for a top 3 finish.
Dan Hyatt, Hershey, Sr
Current State Rank – #7
Current Season Best – 14-6
Hyatt is enjoying a breakout senior season. His prior season best was 11-0. He has cleared 14 feet in 4 out of 5 indoor competitions this year. He set a PR of 14-6 when he finished 2nd at the PTFCA Indoor Carnival. This is his first state championship meet.
David Wasson, State College, Sr
Current State Rank – #11
Current Season Best – 14-3
Wasson is coming off of a lifetime best jump of 14-3 at the State College HS Invite on February 14th. He has cleared 14 feet in 3 of 6 competitions this season. This will be his first state championship meet.
Lavrants Kongssund, Kutztown, Sr
Current State Rank – #13
Current Season Best – 14-2
This is his first season competing and he has a season best clearance of 14-2. He has cleared 14 feet in 2 competitions this year.
Patrick Osborne, State College, Sr
Current State Rank – #15
Current Season Best – 14-0
Osborne is the third State College High competitor in this field. He placed 16th at last year’s PTFCA Indoor State Championships and has a lifetime indoor best of 14-1.
Top 3 seeds:
1. Luke Knipe, State College, Sr – 15-6
1. Caleb Johnson, Germantown Academy, Sr – 15-6
3. Jack Codispot, Butler, Sr – 15-1
State College’s Luke Knipe and Germantown Academy’s Caleb Johnson have both cleared 15-6 this season. Johnson has a better lifetime PR, clearing 16-1.25 at the 2018 New Balance Outdoor National Championships. Of note, Johnson has not competed in the Pole Vault since late December. Penn Manor’s Matt Julian and Hershey’s Dan Hyatt could also finish high on the podium this weekend.
4x200m Relay
CD East
Current State Rank – #1
Current Season Best – 1:28.52
CD East are the favorites here. Look for them to go after the Meet Record time of 1:28.49 set back in 2002. This relay team is ranked #7 in the US.
Chambersburg
Current State Rank – #5
Current Season Best – 1:31.46
Altoona
Current State Rank – #18
Current Season Best – 1:32.62
State College
Current State Rank – #21
Current Season Best – 1:33.14
J.P. McCaskey
Current State Rank – #23
Current Season Best – 1:33.27
4x400m Relay
State College
Current State Rank – #2
Current Season Best – 3:23.96
State College will battle Pennridge for state gold. They competed against each other on January 5th at the Kevin Dare Invite where Pennridge pulled out the victory in 3:22.35 vs State College’s 3:23.96. A lot of time has passed since then. Expect a new state #1 time at states. Pennridge is currently US #15; State College is US #27.
4x800m Relay
State College
Current State Rank – #4
Current Season Best – 8:07.85
Wyomissing
Current State Rank – #5
Current Season Best – 8:08.16
Pennridge is the #1 ranked team in the state, having run 8:02.12 in late January. Both State College and Wyomissing should earn podium finishes.
Distance Medley Relay
Mifflin County
Current State Rank – #1
Current Season Best – 10:32.08
Twin Valley
Current State Rank – #10
Current Season Best – 10:42.82
Mifflin County is the current state #1, running their leading time on February 14th. Twin Valley ran their 10:42 time back in early January. Both teams should contend for the state title come Sunday. Twin Valley’s runners are foregoing individual events and will seemingly be fresh going into the DMR. Mifflin County’s DMR squad currently sits at US#14 heading into states weekend.