Parks, Starliper Run Nation's Fastest 1,600s In AAA Final

By Mary Albl of DyeStat

Saturday afternoon at the PIAA Track and Field Championships at Shippensburg Stadium, juniors Taryn Parks and Marlee Starliper wrote another thrilling chapter in their in-state rivalry. 

The two juniors engaged in an historic 1,600-meter race coming down to the wire, with Parks (Greencastle) leading the entire race, crossing the line first in 4 minutes, 37.07 seconds, while Starliper of Northern was right behind in 4:37.45. Both were faster than the PIAA state meet record time of 4:41.08 set in 1981 by Kim Gallagher. It was Parks' second straight 3A 1,600 title and a US#1 time. Starliper's time is US#2.

"It's always a little disappointing getting second, especially with just another super close race," Starliper told cumberlink.com. "I think I know exactly where I went wrong in this race. In the last lap on the back stretch, I think I should've made my move then. But in that split-second decision, I decided to hang back and see if I could wait until the straightaway. But that's where it caught up to me."

Starliper and Parks have a history of close races. During the New Balance Indoor Championships in March, it was a photo-finish at the line, as Park barely snuck in for the win, both running 4:39.05.

In April at the Penn Relays mile, Starliper and Parks went 2-3 behind West Virginia's Tori Starcher.

Come this June at New Balance Nationals, the two could add yet another chapter to their rivalry.

In the Class 3A girls team race, Warwick won the team title with 44 points.

Othe highlights in 3A girls included Beth Park sophomore Emily Carter setting a meet record in the 3,200, running 10:16.02.

Saucon Valley junior Talitha Diggs ran a US#4 time in the 400 meters (52.82), which broke the class record of 53.11 set in 1986 by Leaha Walker of Williamsport. Diggs also added a 200 title (23.88).

In the field, Palisades senior Lydia Bottelier cleared 5-11.50 in the high jump for a new state meet record. The nation's top high school javelin thrower, Skylar Ciccolini, of Mifflin County won with a throw of 169-3.

State College Area won the AAA boys team title with 47 points. Senior Lance Hamilton led the way as he won the triple jump (49-6) and finished second in the long jump ( 22-8.25). Senior Luke Knipe of State College added a pole vault title, clearing 16 feet.

Also in the field, Somerset Area senior Nickolas Hyde won the shot put (65-6.25), a top 10 throw in the county.

On the track, Zachary Kinne of North Allegheny won the 3,200 in a time of 9:01.94.

In Class 2A girls action, Shady Side sophomore Melissa Riggins set a class record in the 800, clocking 2:08.86, a top 20 time in the U.S. She also added a win in the 1,600 (4:49.88).

Senior Thelma Davies of Girard college won the 100 (11.87) and 200 (23.74).

Neumann Goretti junior Mykala Perry claimed the 2A 400 title in a class record time of 54.50.

In 2A boys, Hickory edged out Brookville Area, 40-34 for the team title.

Team Champions

AAA -- State College boys 47 points; Warwick girls 44 points

AA – Hickory boys 40 points; Neumann Goretti girls 64 points