Top High School Performances -- September

California Sets Four Track and Field National Records

By Nikki Miller

It's impressive for one national record to be set during a single track and field season. Now, consider four new records -- all from the same state -- and all set at the same state track meet.
Seem possible? Hardly.

At the 89th annual California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) state track and field championships, the aforementioned occurred in what is viewed as the third-best CIF state meet of all time. Six national marks were set at both the 1956 and 1981 state meets.

Alex Kosinski of El Dorado Hills Oak Ridge High School ran a remarkable time of 4:38.15 in the girls 1,600-meter run. The record was previously set at 4:39.40 by Laura Matson of Bloomfield Hills (Michigan) Andover High School in 1985.

Tori Anthony of Palo Alto Castilleja High School beat the previous girls pole vault national record of 13-feet-9, set by Mary Saxer of Lancaster (New York) High School in 2005, by reaching 14-1.

In hurdles, both Vashti Thomas and Jeshua Anderson proved they are among the nation's best. Thomas set the national record in the girls 100-meter high hurdles at :13.03, while Anderson recorded a time of :35.28 in the boys 300-meter intermediate hurdles. Previously, the national girls 100-meter high hurdles record was :13.20 set by Nichole Denby from Riverside (California) John W. North High School in 2000, and the boys 300-meter intermediate hurdles record was :35.32 set by George Porter of Lompoc Cabrillo (California) High School in 1985.

Tennis players, friends end careers undefeated

By Nikki Miller

You would think that two of the top high school tennis players in the nation would be intense rivals, competing against one another to post more wins and come out on top.

For Whitney Taney and Liza Wischer, the opposite is true. The girls have put up phenomenal records and became close friends along the way.

Taney finished her high school career at Edina (Minnesota) High School with a record of 166-0. She earned two Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) state tournament doubles titles and
three state singles titles from 2002 to 2006. Overall, during her career, Edina won six MSHSL team state championships.

Wischer recorded 129 wins and no losses during her career at Grand Forks (North Dakota) Red River High School, winning six North Dakota High School Activities Association (NDHSAA) state singles titles. In 2007, she defeated her teammate, Callie Ronkowski, to win the championship.

Although from different states, Taney and Wischer have competed against each other and played together in local and national tournaments outside of high school. The girls have been doubles partners since they were younger.

"We met through tennis when we were little, and it's been great," Taney said. "We often compete against one another, but leave everything on the court. Once we're done, we're friends again!"

Pennsylvania lacrosse player sets new record

By Allison Hickey

Tim Stratton, a recent graduate of Manheim Township (Pennsylvania) High School, set the national record for career points in lacrosse as an attack.

Stratton finished his high school career with 252 goals and 337 assists, equaling 589 points, 36 more points than the previous record. Stratton's performance this season helped his team to a 26-1 record and only two games short of the state championship.

Stratton is one of four players to reach 500 career points in the history of high school lacrosse, a feat that led Stratton to be named a high school All-American as a senior. In addition, he is a three-time first-team all-league and all-district player.

Stratton was a four year starter for Manheim Township, helping his team to an 89-19 record and three league championships.

"Breaking the record is absolutely amazing, but what I'm most proud of is how he's done it. Tim is a very humble person who has never mentioned, or been concerned with, his personal success. He was always more focused on his teammates and the team. Knowing the quality of person that he is makes this achievement even more special," said Rich Lefever, lacrosse coach at Manheim Township.

Two dominant programs continue active state title winning streaks

By Allison Hickey

Rapid City Stevens High School in South Dakota and Woodrow Wilson High School in the District of Columbia have reason to celebrate as the nation's leaders in active state title winning streaks in girls track and baseball, respectively.

The Stevens High School girls track and field team (above) is tied for the third longest all-time winning streak, but after winning its 12th consecutive state title in May, Stevens' streak is the longest active one.

The Class AA tournament was held May 25-26 in Brandon and Sioux Falls. Junior Emily DeVries won both the 100- and 300-meter hurdles, and junior Brooke Garner took first place in discus. Rapid City Central placed second, followed by Sioux Falls Roosevelt.

Back on the East Coast, the Woodrow Wilson baseball team was setting records as well. Not only does Wilson own the top active streak with 15 consecutive titles, it is the all-time leader.

The team has won 197 of the past 198 games, with its current winning streak at 110 games, which is also a national record.

The state championship game at Banneker Field was played against Theodore Roosevelt High School. Wilson senior Ian Horkley, headed for Davidson (North Carolina) College in the fall, pitched a no-hitter to lead his team to an 18-0 victory.

In addition to being athletic director at Woodrow Wilson, Eddie Saah has been the coach of all 15 state championship teams.

Miller was a summer intern in the NFHS Publications/Communications Department. She is a senior at the University of Dayton (Ohio), majoring in journalism and Spanish.

Hickey was a summer intern in the areas of publications, marketing and coaches education. She graduated from Indiana University in May with a degree in journalism and a second concentration in apparel merchandising.