???? | Franklin Field, Philadelphia.

Woodford County, Lafayette, and Covington Catholic represented the Bluegrass well last week at the country's largest and oldest track and field meet.

? Jackson Gray (Woodford Co, SR), this year's indoor 3A champ won the Pole Vault with a 16-0 mark. Superb field in Philly Thursday, as 15 cleared 14-2.5 or better, and Gray was the only vaulter to clear 16-0. His 16-5.25 PR this year No. 3 all-time in KY, and ranks a US #33.

⚔️ Xavier Richardson (Lafayette, JR) finished eighth in the Mile Run Friday with a PR 4:14.04. Richardson was in second place at the bell lap, ran a 59 second last 400, but a strong field proved too much. He's rated US #25 for the mile this year for the class of '26.

Richardson teamed with Andrew Grace, Van Weimer, and Buzz Christensen, all members of the Generals' '24 3A Cross Country title team. Their KY all-class leading 7:52.67 placed fourth in their heat and 19th overall Thursday. The mark ranks fifth all-time in Kentucky.

?? Will Sheets (Cov Cath, SR) placed second in the 3000m Run Friday with a 8:11.60, a Kentucky all-time best. The Colonel ran negative splits for the entire race, including a 61 second last lap but ran out of real estate to catch US leader Trent Daniels. The time trimmed nearly 13 seconds off Brian Long's (St. Xavier) Penn Relays winning mark set in 2007.

This is Sheets' third KY all-time mark. He holds indoor records in the 3200m and 5000m, and is in the books as among the best in a handful of others. His 3000m time Friday ranks US #2 to date. 

Cov Cath also sent two relay squads to Penn:

4x100m: Will Danneman, Jack Fender, Luke Lampe, and Garrett Gallagher ran a Class 2A season's best of 44.43. 

4x400m: Jackson Schmid, Fender, Joe Mayer, and Gallagher couldn't match the school's season best in the event, but still rate fourth in 2A statewide.

As an avid CCH track fan, I believe there is some untapped potential in both events. 

? On a personal note: Last week's visit to Penn will be my last of six over the years. When I can't make it to Philly, I'm sure to be following via broadcasts or online. The Penn Relays Carnival is the best of the best, and I'm so pleased the boys of the Bluegrass did so well this year.

? Unconfirmed, but the word is - Richardson, Weimer, and Sheets will be part of the field at Friday's "Kentucky Dream Mile" at St. Xavier.

⏱️? Complete meet results, with event recaps, and Kentucky lists can be found navigating through the links below:

? pennrelaysonline.com/Results/teams 

? ky.milesplit.com/leaders/boys 

Always had a soft spot for the Penn Relays.  Of course, they were measured in rods and cubits back in my day.