 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
By JEFFREY REINHART
Sports Staff
It is called the Honor Roll, and it is a Sunday News staple in the springtime.
Every week, the top times and distances from around Lancaster-Lebanon League track and field events are printed, so the athletes can see where they stack up as the season steamrolls to the league, district and state meets.
If you've been perusing the Honor Roll this spring, when you get down to the girls' discus event, you might have done a double take -- or two.
Since Week 1, Meet 1, Penn Manor has completely dominated the girls' discus event, with five of the top six throws throughout this season coming from Comets' chuckers.
And on Monday, in Penn Manor's meet against McCaskey, a sixth Comets' discus thrower qualified for the L-L League championships, which are set for May 14-15.
Heading into this week, five Penn Manor discus throwers were in the top six:
Senior Carenna Neely (first; 120-3).
Senior Becca Conner (third; 118-11).
Junior Helen Doolittle (fourth; 112-7).
Junior Sarah Conner (fifth; 108-5).
Sophomore Kami Mylin (sixth; 107-5).
For their efforts, Penn Manor's throwing crew is the LancSports.com combined Athletes of the Week.
Against McCaskey on Monday, Neely uncorked a personal-best 121-8, which should keep her atop the Honor Roll for yet another week, and likely earn her the No. 1 seed for the upcoming league meet.
Elizabethtown sophomore Sarah Fairbanks, who competed in the Penn Relays last month, sits comfortably in second with a heave of 120-2 earlier this spring.
Against McCaskey, Penn Manor sophomore Megan Haines had a toss of 98-7, which put her in the L-L League championships. The L-L qualifying throw is 97-9.
Mylin likely will not throw in the postseason; she's recovering from a broken L1 bone in her back. But Penn Manor will be well represented in the discus throwing circles in the coming weeks, with at least five throwers setting sail in the postseason, starting with the league meet.
"It might intimidate some people I guess," Neely said. "Maybe we're making some people a little nervous."
Athletes around the league and the district are certainly taking notice.
"We were at the Stan Morgan Invitational (in Carlisle) last weekend," Becca Conner said, "and this girl comes up to me and she's like, 'There are five of you?'"
Yep, five. Five who cleared 100, another at 98, and a couple of younger athletes in the program who are over 80 already.
The Comets have swept the discus 1-2-3 in all of their dual meets so far this season.
Penn Manor throwing coach Maria Vita calls this unit, "one of the most amazing groups of throwers Penn Manor girls' track has ever seen."
And that's a big statement, considering Penn Manor has had some mighty successful discus throwers the last couple of seasons.
Martha Stafaniak, a 2009 grad, had a personal-best toss of 114.
And Alie Girvin, a 2008 grad, was a league and district champ who had a personal-best of 140-7 for the Comets. Girvin now throws for Elon University, and she was one of the most decorated field athletes in league history.
"We want to keep the tradition alive," Becca Conner said. "That tradition pushes us."
While the results have been fabulous, what makes this group even more impressive is their camaraderie and how they genuinely cheer for one another. Standing inside a throwing apparatus, going through your techniques and heaving 2-pound, 2-ounce disc is such an individual thing. But these Comets have made it a true team experience.
"We're always together -- all the time," Neely said. "It makes you better and I know it helps me out because we're always together."
In between throws, you'll often find the Comets' competitors comparing notes, dancing and cheering and enjoying the experience. It's a fun atmosphere. No pressure. And more times than not, it carries over into the circles, where Penn Manor throwers have been uncorking unbeatable heaves all spring.
"We have little code words and inside jokes that keep us close and make us feel special," Becca Conner said. "We feel like we're all together out there, and that makes us want to push ourselves and do the best we can."
And how is this for being a good teammate:
Sarah Conner gave up her spot and threw an exhibition event on Monday so that Haines could compete in the varsity meet against McCaskey. Haines ended up with a personal-best 98-7, qualifying for the league meet.
"It made Sarah happy," Becca Conner said. "She knew Megan could do it, so it made her feel good knowing she gave up her spot so Megan could qualify in the end."
So what does click when Penn Manor's throwers get in the circles and the meet is on?
"Practice," said Neely, who earned a field hockey scholarship to Shippensburg University. "We practiced more than ever during the winter, and even last summer."
Neely, Becca Conner and Sarah Conner competed in the Keystone State Games.
The practice paid off for Neely, whose previous best was a 105. She missed some time with an injury last season, and that motivated her to have a big senior season. So far, so good; she's tops in the league with the big three meets on the horizon.
The Comets have also become gym buffs, and in Penn Manor strength coach Russ McDonnell, the power lifting and body building guru, they have one of the best in the business putting them through the paces every day.
"Conditioning," said Becca Conner, who will study computer networking and compete in track and field for Stevens Tech. "That's all Russ, and that's what it's all about."
And, of course, there is technique. Vita, who threw for Messiah College, is a firm believer in the technique taught by seven-time national champ and four-time Olympic qualifier John Powell.
Powell teaches a 'V' technique, whereas most prep coaches will teach the 'C' technique.
Add it all up, and Penn Manor is having an unforgettable season in the throwing circles. Of course, the real fun starts next week.
"I think we all thought we'd do pretty well this season ... we set some goals but I don't think we thought we'd be doing this," Becca Conner said. "Now we want to show everyone that we can do it."
