It’s always a good barometer for local track and field talent when they meet at J. Birney Crum Stadium to showcase their skills during the Allentown School District Track and Field Invitational.

The ASD event serves as precursor to the league and district meets which will ultimately set them on their way to states if they can place among the top three. While the conditions were tough at JBC, there were still a number of excellent performances when they gathered in Allentown on April 29.

On the top of that list was Nazareth’s Jahan Dotson, who finished first in four events. The girls had several multiple winners, including Liberty’s Jaylyn Aminu and Jackie Arthur, Pocono Mountain East’s Khyasia Caldwell, Dieruff’s Mahendra McWhite and Pleasant Valley’s Jenn Mickens.

The Whitehall girls finished fourth with 46.5 points, while the boys finished 10th with 30 points.

Head coach James Sebesta said that they once again faced bad weather, but still managed to put together a strong showing.

“It was a good meet for them,” said Sebesta. “They competed well.”

Ivanna Jones won the high jump. The senior grabbed first with a 5-4 mark. It was Jones’ first title at the ASD event. Last year she placed second in the high jump. She was also part of the 4x100 team that came in second.

Sebesta said that Jones tied the school record with that jump. The senior already owns two schools records.

Amanda Crooks was third in the 100. She finished the race in 12.51. Once again she’ll be looking to unseat Liberty’s Jaylyn Aminu in the upcoming league and district meets. Aminu won both the 100 and 200.

Crooks also part of the 4x100 team which came in second behind Liberty. She was part of the foursome that also featured Jones, Kylee Cunningham and Taylor George. They crossed the line in 50.68.

Whitehall’s 4x400 team also finished second. The team of Caitlin Cunningham, Kassidy Cunningham, Kylee Cunningham and Anna Gallina crossed the line in 4:14.22. The 4x800 team logged a sixth-place finish, crossing the line in 9:59.34.

“They ran a real nice race,” said Sebesta.

Logan Miller was third in the javelin, getting that spear to travel 104-6.

Madelyn Mertz was fifth in the 300 meter hurdles, crossing the line in 49.42.

Anna Gallina was 13th in the 400 meters, finishing in 1:04.56.

Senior Jillian Kreglow finished 17th in the 110 meter hurdles, crossing the line in 18.19. She also finished 7th in the high jump with a 4-10 mark.

Rachel Herr was 20th in the 3,200, finishing the race in 12:45.55, while Hannah Gill was 22nd in the 3,200 with a 12:50.06 mark.

Senior Vanessa Hadeed was 10th in the discus with an 86-08.25 mark, while snagging 9th place in the shot put with a 31-01.50 throw.

The girls displayed the prowess that made them one of the top teams in the league this season.

For the boys, Calvin Schneck established himself as one of the best distance runners in the area. He finished second in the 1,600, posting 1 4:25.93 mark.

Sebesta said that Schneck ran a smart race. It’s a race that won’t be the focal point of his postseason so it was another step in his quest to stretch out before the second season begins.

The 4x100 team had a good showing, finishing fourth. They crossed the line in 44.57.

Tyler Meyers was fourth in the discus with a 135-81/2 throw, while Jackson Buskirk was third in the javelin with a 150-6 toss.

Jahrod Amoroso had two top-ten finishes. He was 7th in the 110 hurdles at 15.92 and ninth in the 300 hurdles at 43.29.

Both Charles Hudson and Javaughn Hussett earned top-ten finishes in the high jump. Hudson was 7th with a 6-0 mark, while Hussett cleared the same height but on more attempts for 9th.

Brandon Jones finished 15th in the 100, crossing in 11.56, while triple jumper Nick Rackus (39-0) and shot putter Phil Reeves (40-02.50) finished 20th in their events.

It was another good ASD Invitational for Whitehall, a place where they’ve excelled as a run-up to leagues and districts.

“I was happy with the performance of all the kids,” said Sebesta.