Penn Hills Eagles athletics club runner sets record and leads field at regional meet

Londyn Tomman was nervous and excited about the USATF Three Rivers Championship at Slippery Rock University. The uncertainty of an event with such a large field of competitors presented an exciting challenge for her.

Of course, it is possible to do some research as many club teams publish their times and information online, but that would not cover all areas.

Londyn, who runs for the Penn Hills Eagles Track Club, was determined to break the 800-meter record in the 11-12 age group. She ran a time of 2:25.08, beating the 22-year-old Three Rivers Association record by five seconds.

“I wanted to get the time I got,” Londyn said. “It wasn’t stressful. I wasn’t nervous. I wanted to break the record. I was nervous that there might be someone not at the top who could challenge me. I was happy with my time.”

Londyn also took first place in the 200m (28.65 seconds) and the 400m (1:03.07). This was a strong performance for Londyn, who also runs cross country.

Coach Chuck Carter said Londyn joined the team when she was 8 years old and he has been impressed with her progress since then.

“She’s in perfect shape and has the skill, speed and strength,” Carter said. “She does everything it takes to be a successful athlete. She pays great attention to the sport and does all the fundamental things well.”

Londyn is part of a large group of athletes who made it to the regional championships, which will be held July 12-14 in Jersey City, New Jersey. Carter said the club was recently recognized by Dick’s Sporting Goods Foundation through its Sports Matter program.

The Penn Hills Eagles athletics club received a grant of $10,000 to use for equipment and to assist athletes with travel expenses.

Londyn’s career has followed in the footsteps of her two older siblings, and she said her skills are best suited to middle-distance running.

“I do cross country, which is long-distance running,” Londyn said. “For track, I wanted to do something medium-distance. I didn’t want to do anything short because I’m not a super sprinter.”

Londyn is looking forward to the regional championships, where she will compete against other athletes who will inspire her to achieve faster times.

“I hope I can continue to qualify for state and regional championships so that the coaches will recognize me,” she said.

Other qualifiers for the Penn Hills Eagles track and field club included the following athletes, who had to finish in the top six at the Three Rivers meet to qualify.

• Age 6-8 girls: 400 relay (Penelope Dillard, Ariya Hill, Raegan Williams, Quinn Withrow) 1st, 1:15.51; Williams, 800, 2nd, 3:22.49; Williams, 400, 3rd, 1:22.20

• Boys aged 6–8 years: Keiran Chambers, Turbo, 3rd, 13.79; Amari Combs, Turbo, 5th, 8.91; 100, 6th, 17.20; Devin Polzot, long jump, 3rd, 1.87; Stephen White, Turbo, 4th, 10.23

• Girls aged 9–10 years: Zenadaya Abdul-Waalee, 400, 3rd, 1:15.26; 200, 3rd, 33.56; 100, 4th, 15.72; Lily Charles, 100, 6th, 17.45; Nylah Scales, 100, 3rd, 15.68; 200, 4th, 34.69; Jasmine Walters, 400, 6th, 1:19.82

• Boys aged 9–10 years: 400 relay (Amir Bogan, Zyier Chambers-Jones, Amir Combs, Derrick Wilson), 2nd, 1:01.03; Bogan, 200, 5th, 31.44; Chambers-Jones, Turbo, 1st, 21.71; 1,600 relay (Xavier Hall, Fon Nanji, Morgan Synan, Aiden Williams), 1st, 5:25.80; Morgan Synan, 1,500, 1st, 5:40.62; Syan, 800, 2nd, 2:47.63; Aiden Williams, Turbo, 4th, 16.89; Derrick Wilson, 400, 4th, 1:14.98

• Girls aged 11–12 years: Sophia Dos Santos, 1st, shot put, 8.26; 2nd, long jump, 4.67; Brooklyn Dukes, 1,500 R, 2nd, 18:28.57.

• Boys aged 11–12 years: Zidyn Palombo, 400, 5th, 1:09.10; Tanner Smith, Aero, 6th, 14.42; Jamal White, 3rd, 80H, 17.52

• Girls aged 13–14 years: Yvonne Allen, javelin, 5th, 15.14; 800, 6th, 2:58.74

• Boys aged 13–14 years: Maurice Allen, discus, 6th, 20.21; shot put, 6th, 7.47

• Girls aged 15–16 years: Selah Cyrus, 400, 2., 1:01.39; Monroe Law, 100, 1., 12.32; 200, 1., 25.01

• Boys aged 15–16 years: 400m relay (Anthony Booker, Alex Chan, Sherman Green, Joe Shaviss), 1st, 47.62; Chan, 100, 3rd, 11.52; Shaviss, javelin, 6th, 27.56

• Boys aged 17–18 years: Jesse Vanwyk, javelin throw, 2nd, 43.42; triple jump, 4th, 11.85

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