Penn Hills Eagles track club runner smashes record, leads contingent to regional meet

By: Josh Rizzo
Sunday, June 30, 2024 | 11:01 AM

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

Sure, it’s possible to do some research with many club teams posting times and information online. But that wouldn’t cover all the bases.

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, which broke the 22-year-old Three Rivers Association record by five seconds.

“I was aiming for the time I got,” Londyn said. “It wasn’t stressful. I wasn’t nervous. I wanted to break the record. I was nervous there could be someone who was unattached to give me a challenge. I was happy with my time.”

Londyn also finished first in the 200-meter dash (28.65 seconds) and the 400-meter run (1:03.07). It was a strong showing for Londyn, who also runs cross country.

Coach Chuck Carter said Londyn joined the team when she was 8. He has been impressed with her progress ever since.

“She has perfect form and has the ability, speed and strength,” Carter said. “She does the things it takes to be a successful athlete. She pays close attention to the sport and does all the fundamental things well.”

Londyn is among a large group of athletes who advanced to the regional championships, which are scheduled for July 12-14 in Jersey City, N.J. Carter said the club was recently recognized by the Dick’s Sporting Goods Foundation as part of its Sports Matter program.

The Penn Hills Eagles track club received a $10,000 grant that it can use to put toward equipment and help the athletes with travel expenses.

Londyn followed in the footsteps of two older siblings with track. She said she feels like her skillset best lends itself to running the middle distances.

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

Londyn is excited for the regional championships to face off against more athletes who will push her to get faster times.

“I’m hoping to keep qualifying for nationals and regionals so I can get recognized by coaches,” she said.

The other qualifiers for Penn Hills Eagles track club included the following athletes, who had to place 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

• Age 6-8 boys: 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

• Age 9-10 girls: 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

• Age 9-10 boys: 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

• Age 11-12 girls: Sophia Dos Santos, 1st, shot put, 8.26; 2nd, long jump, 4.67; Brooklyn Dukes, 1,500RW, 2nd, 18:28.57.

• Age 11-12 boys: Zidyn Palombo, 400, 5th, 1:09.10; Tanner Smith, aero, 6th, 14.42; Jamal White, 3rd, 80H, 17.52

• Age 13-14 girls: Yvonne Allen, javelin, 5th, 15.14; 800, 6th, 2:58.74

• Age 13-14 boys: Maurice Allen, discus, 6th, 20.21; shot put, 6th, 7.47

• Age 15-16 girls: Selah Cyrus, 400, 2nd, 1:01.39; Monroe Law, 100, 1st, 12.32; 200, 1st, 25.01

• Age 15-16 boys: 400 relay (Anthony Booker, Alex Chan, Sherman Green, Joe Shaviss), 1st, 47.62; Chan, 100, 3rd, 11.52; Shaviss, javelin, 6th, 27.56

• Age 17-18 boys: Jesse Vanwyk, javelin, 2nd, 43.42; triple jump, 4th, 11.85

Tags: Penn Hills