January 18, 2025
University Park, PA

by Marty Mazur

The first meet of the 2025 Indoor Mile Series had some great racing, and saw the return of some Series favorites. NVRC Women's Masters Record holder Carly Shea was back to try school the younger gals. Vince Fadale, winner of the last two Series titles, was in the fast heat. And Marty Klanchar and Tara Murray Grove, both of whom have among the longest Series 'track records', where out racing again.

In the first heat, Carly Shea ran a steady pace to easily take first place in 5:36:77. Carly lead a contingent of seven other women, mostly from the Penn State Cross-Country Club. Matt Smith was second in 5:48.43. Tara Murray Grove came close to 6:30. And Marty Klanchar qualified for his senior masters mile club, easily running well under 8 minutes.

There was a photo finish in the second heat. Neil Maguire and Charles Wood traded leads a few times in the last two laps, but Maguire edged Wood by 0.03 seconds to take first in 4:52.97. Steven Barnard was third in 4:57.29.

The fast heat showed that two-time Series champ Vince Fadale will have his work cut out for him if he is to retain his crown. Vince is known for a furious kick in the last quarter mile, but it was not enough today. Sam Endress took the heat in 4:31.74. Owen Strickler was second in 4:33.87, and Zack Mitarotonda took third in 4:34.73. Fadale was fifth in 4:35.83.

The next race in this year's Indoor Mile Series will be Friday, January 31 at 4 PM. Sharpen up your spikes and come out to the track!

 

From left to right: First heat top finishers Matt Smith (2nd), Carly Shea (1st), and Alyssa Fedorshak (3rd)

Second heat photo-finishers Neil Maguire (left, 1st place) and Charles Wood (right, 2nd place)

Fast heat winner Sam Endress

Heat 1
——————

Place  Name                      Time
-----  ----                      ----
  1    Carly Shea               5:36.77 (M)
  2    Matt Smith               5:48.43 (M)
  3    Alyssa Fedorshak         5:49.80    
  4    Emily Koehle             5:55.45
  5    Ava Rohrbaugh            6:03.75
  6    Lillie Nye               6:23.24
  7    Laurel Wellman           6:28.11
  8    Tara Murray Grove        6:32.07 (M)    
  9    Marty Klanchar           7:31.90 (M)    
 10    Seddy Clapper            7:33.27


Heat 2
——————

Place  Name                      Time
-----  ----                      ----
  1    Neil Maguire             4:52.97
  2    Charles Wood             4:53.00
  3    Steven Barnard           4:57.29
  4    Cam Mallett              5:01.07    
  5    Keith Thompson           5:04.19
  6    Dylan Holliday           5:06.57
  7    Zach Landry              5:13.62
  8    Sean Devlin              5:16.32 (M)
  9    Brendan Smith            5:17.34
 10    Ethan Chen               5:57.59    


Heat 3
——————

Place  Name                      Time
-----  ----                      ----
  1    Sam Endress              4:31.74
  2    Owen Strickler           4:33.87
  3    Zack Mitarotonda         4:34.73
  4    Liam Goldsworthy         4:35.00
  5    Vince Fadale             4:35.83    
  6    Brian Tholl              4:37.58
  7    Winter Parts             4:38.11
  8    Benjamin Jones           4:38.63    
  9    Garrison Alexander       4:39.77
 10    Nixon Kameen             4:41.96
 11    Ryan Zaff                4:57.78    
 13    Justin Waraniak          5:05.98    

(M) Masters Runner