Indoor season comes to a close

3/27/15

PITTSBURGH – Spring has sprung and the 2016 Indoor Track & Field season has come to a close. Athletes of all ages participated in various meets across the area to stay fit, tune up for outdoor season, or represent their school programs.

The TRA Indoor Championships was the marquee event for the Association. Held at Slippery Rock University’s Morrow House, this event was officially an all comers meet that welcomed non USATF members. It also served as an open & masters competition USATF neighboring Association, Lake Erie. This unique combination of events being contested simultaneously provided new and increased competition for TRA members.

Valley Speedsters, Mountain Top, and AK Track & Field brought a strong delegation for the youth age group. Valley Speeders’ Sydney Baciak was a multiple event winner claiming first place in the 13-14 girls high jump and 55 m hurdles. Other notable performances included 9-10 boy Sergio Abdalah who won the 200m, 400m and 800m. 15-16 boy, Rene Abdalah, also took home multiple wins in the 800m and 1600m races.

Open and masters athletes put on great performances at the Championships too. Masters woman Jo Rupp had a unique double competing in the 55m dash and 3000m run.  Athletes from Steel City Track Club, TNT International and Mass Velocity were also in attendance with participants competing as high as the 65-69 age division. Complete results can be found here.

Outside of USATF competition, long-time TRA member Jordan Geist had a phenomenal high school indoor season in the shot put. He obliterated Ryan Whiting’s PA state record of 68 feet, 11.25 inches breaking 70 feet a total of 14 times in six meets. His PR of 72-9.5 now places him No.3 on the all time national list.

Stallions Track Club member, Domenic Peretta also had a stellar indoor HS season. The 800m specialist from Beaver Falls participated in several high profile competitions and placed 1st at the 2016 PTFCA Indoor State Championships in a time of 1:52.28. Domenic followed up this performance with a 2nd place finish at the New Balance Nationals Indoor with a time of 1:50.58. The time was a new PR, #1 in PA, and #2 in the US.

Congratulations to all TRA members on an outstanding indoor season. We look forward to more success in 2016!