The Public and Catholic Leagues should be well represented at the PIAA state track and field championship on Friday, May 25 and Saturday, May 26. The state title meet will be held at Shippensburg University.

These local track and field athletes are coming off great performances in the District 12 track meet at Northeast High School’s Charles Martin Memorial Stadium last week. Both leagues will send some terrific athletes to compete for the state crown this weekend.

In the Class AAA division, Swenson has a great sprinter, Niager Mathis, who won the 100 and 200 meters at the city championship meet. Mathis clocked a 10.89 in the 100 meters and ran a time of 21.68 in the 200 meters.

Courtney Washington, Southern High’s brilliant sprinter, was quite impressive winning two events in the city title meet. Washington took first place in the 100 (12.25) and 200 meters (25.56).

Diamond Hodge was a top performer in two events. Hodge, a Girls High track star, won the 100 (15.27) and 300 meter hurdles (44.86). Hodge broke Jasmine Wanamaker’s record of 44.88 in the 300 meter hurdles, which was set in 2008. Wanamaker was a former Girls High track and field standout.

Ce-Aira Brown won the 800 meters. Brown shattered her own record in the event from a year ago. She ran 2:12.73 taking first place. Last year, she set a meet record of 2:17.11 in the 800 meters. Brown also helped Overbrook win the 4x100 and 4x400 meter relay.

In Class AA competition, West Catholic did extremely well at the city championship meet. The Burrs will certainly be one of the teams to watch in the state title meet.

Todd Townsend, West Catholic’s outstanding hurdler, won two events. Townsend took first place in the 110 (14.66) and 300 meter hurdles (38.12). He broke former Engineering and Science star Brandon Lane’s meet record of 39.58 set in 2005 in the 300 meter hurdles.

Jada Stewart, West Catholic sprinter, won the 100 (11.86) and 200 meters (24.56). Stewart will head to the state meet as one of the top sprinters in the city.

Swenson hurdler Amy Hicks is another local standout. Hicks won 100 (14.72) and 300 meter hurdles (44.56).

Rounding out the top track and field stars are Engineering and Science shot putter Michael Turner and E&S 1,600 meter runner Danae Colston. Turner won his event with a 52-5 toss, which broke his 47-1 ½ mark from last year. Colston ran a meet record 5:19.79 breaking former E&S runner Syeeda Gee’s record which was set in 2007.

Contact Staff Writer Donald Hunt at (215) 893-5719 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .