Big East Championships

Back in February, the Big East held their championships in Geneva, Ohio!  Two Hempfield athletes represented their teams well!  Hansel Akers (Georgetown) and Korinne Piper (Pittsburgh) had a great weekend!  Here is the website for all results - Big East Indoor Track & Field Championships

Korinne Piper had a great career in high school as a runner and as a leader!  She left her make in the record books!!

•  In high school Korinne was a district champion in the 800m and placed 7th in the PIAA Championships!

•  Check out Korinnes Bio on the University of Pittsburgh website!

•  Korinne was this years indoor 4 x 800 relay that placed 8th!  (See results below.

•  Korinne is also an excellent student, she will be attending University of Delaware for post graduate work!!!

Hansel Akers also had an incredible career at Hempfield!  He is our school record holder in the 400 meters and helped lead Hempfield to its first State Championship in 2009!!

•  Top 400 meter runner in Hempfield history, placed 4th in PIAA State Championships!

•  Georgetown career highlights - PRs - 200m: 22.24; 300m: 35.47; 400m: 48.34; 400r: 47.30 lead off; 400H: 54.90; 500m: 1:03.73

•  This year at Big East Indoor Championships placed 5th in the 500 meters

Hempfield Athletes & PSAC Indoor Championships

Another indoor track & field championship - PSAC Indoor Track & Field Championships at Edinboro University.  Here are the athletes: (If you are reading my blog and know of any other Hempfield athletes in college, please let me know)

Kori Meshaw - Kutztown University

Ellie Ressler - Shippensburg University

Tyler Cox - Lock Haven University

Let us begin with Kori Meshaw.  In 2009, Kori was instrumental in leading Hempfield boys team to it's first PIAA Championship in school history!!!  Kori has continued his track & field career at Kutztown University!!

Kori finished 6th in the 60 Hurdles(8.51), anchored the 1600 Relay(3:20.85) to a 5th place finish, and lead off the 3200 Relay(7:51.68) to a 3rd place finish!  Kori is one of the most versatile athletes to ever run track at Hempfield!  He also was an even better leader!

Kori's best individual event is outdoors, in the 400 hurdles!  Returning PSAC champion and qualified for Nationals last year!!






Ellie Ressler is currently in her junior season at Shippensburg.

Ellie was a great two sport athlete at Hempfield.  She excelled at volleyball and track & field!  Her season season at Hempfield she was the league champion and was the only girl in Hempfield history to win a medal at the state track meet in the pole vault!!

For Shippensburg, Ellie helped the women's team win the indoor championship!  Ellie finished 8th(3.27m/10'9") this year in the indoor pole vault!

Ellie is one of the top vaulters in PSAC and should have a great outdoor season!!

Tyler Cox was the topic of the previous blog entry!  The award -

PSAC Men's Indoor Track & Field Champion Scholar

Tyler also helped Lock Haven 3200 relay(8:00.22) to a 4th place finish!(Note:that is one place behind Kori Meshaw's Kutztown team!)  

Tyler was also a versatile atlete at Hempfield!  Not only was Tyler a important part of the track & field team, but a very good basketball payer!

We will be following Tyler as the outdoor season begins in March!

Hempfield atletes are enjoying the opportunity to participate in college track & field.  As a reminder, if anyone know of other athletes involved in track & field in college, please let me know!  Here is my current list!

Hempfield Track Athletes in College

                                                                                              

David Patzer                   Penn State University

Kori Meshaw                  Kutztown University

Brian Mannino               Kutztown University

Hansel Akers                 Georgetown University

Kevin Hull                     University of Pittsburgh

Alec Bleacher                University of Pittsburgh

Korinne Piper                 University of Pittsburgh

Matt Groff                      Richmond University

Steve Feister                   Liberty University

Kelley Donovan              Delaware University

Spencer Nenzda             Delaware University

Chrissy Richert               High Point University

Kyle Long                      Arizona State University

Ellie Ressler                   Shippensburg University

Melissa Fellenbaum        Alvernia University

Connor White                 Dickinson University

Rachel Grube                  Gettysburg University

Eric Solomon                  Widener University

Rachel Poletti                  Messiah University

Tyler Cox                        Lock Haven        

Tyler Cox - PSAC Men's Indoor Track & Field Champion Scholar

Tyler Cox is making Mom & Dad proud, ........ and Hempfield Track & Field!  Tyler, Hempfield 2010 graduate and running for Lock Haven and excelling in academics.  Check out the article:

Tyler Cox named PSAC Men's Indoor Track & Field Champion Scholar

And what does Tyler's coack at Lock Haven say:

“Tyler has always impressed me with his ability to balance a rigorous honors course load in a very difficult health science major with the demands of being a collegiate athlete,” said Russell.  “Despite all that he has on his plate, he always shows up to practice with a smile on his face and lifts everyone around him with his positive attitude.”

Tyler is having a great career at Lock Haven.  His 4 x 800 relay finished 4th this weekend in the PSAC indoor championships!  The Hempfield Track & Field program has had many outstanding young athletes, and Tyler is a fine example for future Hempfield Track & Field athletes!!

Hempfield High School Track at State Indoor Meet

The high school indoor season is over and we have one week to the outdoor season begins!  Let's look at the State Indoor Meet Results!

First, it is an honor to even get to the state indoor competition!  It is NOT easy to qualify!

Second, here are all The State Indoor Meet Results.

Here are the Hempfield Results.

For the girls, having one athlete in an event is great, two is AWESOME!  Dani Poletti & Kayla Garpstas are two very talented pole vaulters & probably the best 1-2 punch ever at Hempfield.  I'm sure Fellenbaum & Lundy and Ressler & Poletti(Dani's older sis) would argue!  Dani finished 8th with a 11' jump and Kayla 12th with a 10'6" jump!

For the boys, our highest finish was Devon Santos, 8th in the 60 hurdles.  Devon should have a great outdoor season & challenge the Hempfield records in the 110H & 300H!  Devon also should add depth to the relays!!! And Devon is now the school record holder in the 60H at 8.21, move over Kori Meshaw!

Tory Long was 18th in the 200m.  Tory had a great season last year and this year should be one of the best sprinters in the League!!  And as Devon, add his talent to the sprint relays!  Another school record of 22.71 and that is better than Justin Kiscadden, who had a great career at Hempfield!

The strength of the Boys team this year should be the sprints & the 4 x 200 m relay shows that at the state indoor meet - Santos - Long - Koenig - Zeamer placed 24th.  This group of sprinters should have successful run in the 400 relay and 1600 relay!!

Adam Karl finished 18th in the high jump, but had a great indoor season!  He is now the school record holder in the high jump at 6'4"!  See you later Zach Nolan!

The high school season starts on Monday, March 4th - "The Tradition Continues!"

Great Day for Hempfield Athletes at MAC Championships

Glad I (and my loyal wife) took the trip!  It was a long day, but the three Hempfield athletes had great day of competition!!  Let start with the Weight Throw & Eric Solomon!

Ever since Eric was in high school he loved the Weight Throw, problem was - we do not throw the weight in high school!  We have discus, shot, & javelin, but NO weight throw!  In college, Eric is shining!  Here is what was said about Eric's weekend at the school website:

Junior Eric Solomon (Columbia, PA) made an immediate impact by winning the weight throw with a meet-record-toss of 17.91 meters, one year after ending second.  That is tied for the 16th longest throw in the country this season.

Eric throwing the weight!!!

That is "first place", "meet record toss", and "16th best in the country (division 3)!!!  Great day for Eric!

Pole Vault, Rachel Poletti, Messiah.  Rachel, a junior at Messiah, had a great afternoon!  Rachel had her highest finish of her career for Messiah at the MAC Championships - a SIXTH place finish!  Rachel is still ranked number six all time in Hempfield History among lady pole vaulters!

Rachel her senior year at Hempfield!

Melissa Fellenbaum had an awesome day - GLAD I was there to see it!!  She WON the pole vault competition!  Set a new MAC Championship Meet Record - 3.82 meters or 12'6", and is ranked 3rd nationally in the women's division 3 pole vault!  WHAT A DAY!!!

From the Alvernia University website:

Bethlehem, Pa. (Feb. 23, 2013) - Senior Melissa Fellenbaum (Mount Joy, Pa./Hempfield) won the Middle Atlantic Conference Pole Vault title for the second straight time at the at the Indoor Track and Field MAC Championships held at Lehigh University on Saturday.  With Fellenbaum's jump of 3.82m she not only took gold, but also set a new meet-record in the process.  The second place finisher in the Pole Vault came in at 3.15m.  Last season, Fellenbaum took the 2012 indoor title with a jump of 3.50m.

Melissa had an outstanding career at Hempfield!  Until last year, she had the school record, at one time had the PIAA District 3 record, & now has the Alvernia School Record!  Wow! Good luck Melissa at Nationals next week in Illinois!!!

Headed to MAC Championships at Lehigh University

Will be headed to Lehigh University to see the MAC Championships today.  The Hempfield Grads I will see will be:

Melissa Fellenbaum, ranked 1st in the pole vault
Rachel Poletti, Messiah pole vault
Eric Solomon, weight throw

Here is the MAC Championship website information

Hempfield participants:

Eric, Melissa & Rachel!!

GO HEMPFIELD COLLEGE TRACK & FIELD ATHLETES!!!!

Hempfield Grad Matthew Groff Having Great Season at University of Richmond

Hempfield Track & Field has had a great tradition of distance runners! Matthew Groff, has continued his running success at the University of Richmond!  Check out his times at:

Mattthew Groff - University of Richmond Statistics

Matt is the top runner in the 800, 100, & mile!!!

Matthew is very busy all year at the University of Richmond, besides Indoor Track, Matthew also runs Cross Country in the fall and Track in the spring!  At the A10 Championships, Matthew ran 4th for the team and finished in 25:46.  

This week in the A10 Indoor Championships, Matthew placed 6th in the mile with a time of 4:19.54.

Eric Solomon(Widener University) Weight Throw Video!

A Weight Throw is a unique event!  For most people, it is an event that needs a little coaching!

First how about a picture!

Want to purchase one - look at the Gill Catalog for the Weight Implement

The idea is to throw this as far as possible and the weight is between 20-35 pounds!!!!!!!  I think the men's college weight is 35 pounds (ladies 20?)!  How about the technique - let's take a look at Eric!

Ready to give it a try?  OK. duct tape 2-3 bowling balls together, cut the handle off one of your wife's or girl friends purse & tape that on and let it rip!!!  Good luck!

Check out Eric in The MAC Indoor Track & Field Championships this Saturday, February 23 at Lehigh University!

Akers Makes it to Big East Finals in the 500 Meters!

Check out the video of Hansel Akers 500 Meter Trial.  In this heat he qualified for the finals!

Hansel's Qualifying Heat Video(You need to scroll to the video with the time - 3:00.19

Here is the Finals of the 500 meters, scheduled for Sunday.  Hansel seeded 7th!

 1 Christopher Giesting      SO NOTRE DAME           I 1:02.53Q
  2 Brycen Spratling          JR PITTSBURGH           I 1:03.00Q
  3 Samuel Ellison            JR VILLANOVA            I 1:02.61Q
  4 Alexander Reber           FR VILLANOVA            I 1:04.17Q
  5 Charles Ross              JR PITTSBURGH           I 1:04.06q
  6 Chris Whyte               SR CONNECTICUT          I 1:04.60q
  7 Hansel Akers              JR GEORGETOWN           I 1:04.63q
  8 Kyle Chou                 SR VILLANOVA            I 1:04.76q
  9 Marcus Motill             FR LOUISVILLE           I 1:04.78 
 10 Ryun Holder               FR GEORGETOWN           I 1:04.95 
 11 Justin Doehr              FR CONNECTICUT            1:05.33 
 12 Corey Caidenhead          JR RUTGERS                1:07.47 

A Day with Hempfield Track & Field Graduates

Today I had the chance to visit with some of Hempfield's finest!  Let's begin with some coaches:

Warren Taylor - Class of 1977

Warren is the Head Track & Field Coach at Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology.
After a great career at Hempfield, Warren went onto Thaddeus Stevens & Millersville and continued to excel as an athlete!  He has been the head track & field coach many years at Thaddeus Stevens and was inducted into the Hempfield Hall of Fame this year!  A great coach, a great athlete and an even greater person!

Alex Proctor - Class of 2004

Alex was a stellar track & field athlete at Hempfield and went on to run track & field at West Chester University.  He is now the Head Track & Field Coach at Immaculata University!


And athletes:

Eric Solomon - Widener University

Eric won the Hammer Throw today with a toss of 17.97 meters (58'-11 1/2").  Eric is ranked 11th (Division 3) in the country!  Check out the division 3 rankings.

Melissa Fellenbaum - Alvernia University

After a great weekend last week, Melissa decided to rest this weekend and prepare for MAC Championships next week at Lehigh!  Last week was a PR 3.90 meters (12'8")  Melissa is currently ranked 2nd (Division 3) in the nation!

Hempfield Team Getting Ready for Indoor States

Winter track season is coming to a close, but not for some of Hempfield's best!  The following have qualified for the State Indoor Track & Field Championships at State College!

State Qualifiers:

Tory Long             60m                200m
Devon Santos         60m Hurdles
Adam Karl              High Jump
Kayla Garpstas       Pole Vault
Dani Poletti            Pole Vault
4 x 200 Relay        (Torry Long, Dustin Koenig, Devon Santos, Zach Zeamer)


Meet Details
Date: Saturday, February 23, 2013
Time: 10:00 AM
Location: Penn State University

Good Luck Hempfield!!!

Hempfield Athlete's at Big East indoor Championships

Retirement has allowed me to try to keep up with Hempfield graduates that are involved with track & field in college.  And parents have helped to keep me up-to-date!  Here is the latest from super track Mom Kim Piper:

Korinne Piper - is running relays only(her last collegiate indoor meet)
     she is 800  leg in DMR(Sat 5:15pm) 
     and possibly the 4x8(Sun 2:15)-not sure what leg

Hansel Akers is running 500 prelims(Sat 1:40) and hopefully finals(Sun 12:50) 
     and 4x4(Sun 2:45)

Here is information from the web site:  Big East indoor Track & Field Championships

Other track meets coming up:
Feb 16 - 17     Big East Indoor Championships   Geneva, Ohio
     Korinne Piper - Pittsburgh
     Kevin Hull - Pittsburgh (do not know if he is running)
     Hansel Akers - Georgetown

Feb 23 - 24     PSAC Indoor Champioships        Edinboro University
     Ellie Ressler - Shippensburg
     Kori Meshaw - Kutztown

Feb 22 - 23     MAC Championships                   Lehigh University
     Melissa Fellenbaum - Alvernia
     Eric Solomon - Widener

As with most big track & field championships, athletes must qualify.  If anyone knows that other people have qualified, let me know.  Thanks!

Here is my list as of today of Hempfield athletes in college track & field:

David Patzer                                     Penn State University           

Kori Meshaw                                    Kutztown University             

Brian Mannino                                  Kutztown University

Hansel Akers                                    Georgetown University         

Kevin Hull                                         University of Pittsburgh

Alec Bleacher                                    University of Pittsburgh

Korinne Piper                                    University of Pittsburgh       

Matt Groff                                         Richmond University

Steve Feister                                      Liberty University

Kelley Donovan                                  Delaware University

Spencer Nenzda                                Delaware University

Chrissy Richert                                  High Point University

Kyle Long                                         Arizona State University

Ellie Ressler                                      Shippensburg University

Melissa Fellenbaum                          Alvernia University               

Connor White                                   Dickinson University

Rachel Grube                                    Gettysburg University

Eric Solomon                                    Widener University