A letter worth reading from local Olympic hopeful Allen Pettner:

April 2008

Dear Potential Donor,

I am a 2003 graduate of James Buchanan High School, Mercersburg, Pennsylvania. Following my JBHS graduation, I continued my education at Hagerstown Community College in Hagerstown, Maryland, graduating in 2005 with an A.A. in Art. In January of 2005 I transferred to Penn State University, University Park, State College, Pennsylvania, graduating in 2007 with a B.S. in Wildlife Science. Since my graduation from Penn State, I have continued to reside in State College, as I am currently training at Penn State University as a post collegiate athlete for the 2008 US Olympic Trials and Olympic Games! During my tenure at Penn State, I have proven myself as an accomplished NCAA and National Track and Field Javelin competitor.

As an unattached athlete, I am in need of sponsorship at many levels. As you may be aware, there are many expenses that are incurred in order to participate in seasonal meets that will lead up to the trials, which will be held at the end of June, 2008 in Eugene Oregon. I have already qualified for the trials; however, it is my goal to qualify for the 2008 Olympic Games.

I am currently seeking donations for a Silent Auction & Italian Dinner Evening that my family is hosting at Whitetail Resort in Mercersburg, Pennsylvania on Saturday, May 10th, 2008, 5 pm to 8 pm. The funds generated from this event will help me with expenditures for equipment, airfare, lodging, meals, vehicle rental, and other miscellaneous expenses that I will have during my pursuit in representing the United States in the 2008 Olympic Trials and hopefully the 2008 Olympic Games.

I understand the commitment that I am asking of your organization, please know that your contribution will genuinely be appreciated and will not go unrecognized. Commitment, determination, and consistent hard work are just a few of my attributes. Earning the rank of Eagle Scout from the Boys Scouts of America in 2003 has contributed to my sound mind and devotion in becoming a seasoned athlete and a reputable individual.

I can assure you that you will not be disappointed with your decision to support me in my Olympic endeavor. It is my hope that someday I will in turn be in the position to give back to this community that has offered me such tremendous support.

For additional information please feel free to contact Melissa McLaughlin-McFadden at 717-860-9174 or 717-328-2942.

Thank you in advance for your time and consideration.

Very truly yours,

Allen C. Pettner

Prep Track & Field
Tri-State Records
BOYS
100 — James Jett (Jefferson, 1989) 10.34
200 — James Jett (Jefferson, 1989) 21.39
400 — Domonique Richmond (South Hagerstown, 2002) 47.44.
800 — Doug Walter (Chambersburg, 1986) 1:52.14
1,600 — Doug Walter (Chambersburg, 1986) 4:13.74
3,200 — Chris Fox (Martinsburg, 1977) 8:54.64
110H — Dan Robinson (Boonsboro, 2004) 14.50.
300H — Aaron Johnson (Chambersburg, 1988) 38.14
400 relay — Chambersburg (O’Neal, Harrison, Houser, Rearick, 1990) 42.54
800 relay — Jefferson (1989) 1:28.47
1,600 relay — Chambersburg (Barbour, Mata, Purnell, Doaks, 1984) 3:21.24.
3,200 relay — Chambersburg (Riggs, Snyder, Eubanks, Grove, 2007) 7:50.70.
High jump — Steve Moore (Chambersburg, 1978) 7-1 1/2
Long jump — Tone Belt (Berkeley Springs, 2005) 24-0
Triple jump — Nick Kipe (Waynesboro, 2004) 47-3
Discus — Ryan Martin (Williamsport, 2003) 180-8
Shot put — Bob Batdorf (Mercersburg, 1957) 59-4
Pole vault — Pete Johncour (Chambersburg, 1994) 14-8
GIRLS
100 — Anyssa Barbour (Chambersburg, 2006) 12.09
200 — Lasonya Primus (Smithsburg, 1997) 24.80.
400 — Becki Davis (Chambersburg, 1991) 57.34
800 — Sarah Morrison (Chambersburg, 2005) 2:14.10
1,600 — Sarah Morrison (Chambersburg, 2006) 4:52.44 (converted from 4:54.05 indoor mile)
3,200 — Kylee Schuler (Chambersburg, 2003) 10:44.71
100H — Zoe Hunt (Smithsburg, 1993) 14.84
300H — Sarah Hensley (Boonsboro, 2005) 44.07
400 relay — Chambersburg (Harrison, Pecovsky, Brown, Lovett, 1993) 49.53
800 relay — Jefferson (Nelson, Washington, Lee, Nelson, 1980) 1:43.54
1,600 relay — Chambersburg (McClanahan, Hopkins, Muehl, Davis, 1990) 3:57.1
3,200 relay — Chambersburg (Hess, Baker, Redding, Armstrong, 1999) 9:30.9
High jump — Kelly Lowery (Boonsboro, 1987), Natasha Redman (Hedgesville, 2006), Meghan Mock (Berkeley Springs, 2007) 5-8
Long jump — Zoe Hunt (Smithsburg, 1993) 18-8
Triple jump — Zoe Hunt (Smithsburg, 1993) 38-8
Discus — Meagan Verdeyen (North Hagerstown, 1999) 135-3
Shot put — Meagan Verdeyen (North Hagerstown, 1999) 43-3
Pole vault — Sarah McDonald (Williamsport, 2000), Amanda Collier (Chambersburg, 2007) 10-6

Washington County Records
BOYS
100 — Chad Brown (Smithsburg, 2007) 10.74
200 — Gene O’Keefe (North Hagerstown, 1965) 21.54
400 — Domonique Richmond (South Hagerstown, 2002) 47.44
800 — Richard Newton (South Hagerstown, 1962) 1:54.54
1,600 — Jeff Scuffins (North Hagerstown, 1980) 4:18.94
3,200 — Terry Baker (Williamsport, 1973) 9:14.44
110H — Dan Robinson (Boonsboro, 2004) 14.50
300H — Derek Martin (Smithsburg, 2006) 38.84
400 relay — North Hagerstown (G. Hoult, Stoner, Linzer, D. Hoult, 1958) 42.84
800 relay — North Hagerstown (G. Hoult, Stoner, Linzer, D. Hoult, 1958) 1:30.54
1,600 relay — North Hagerstown (Smith, Behan, Towns, Winslow, 1987) 3:25.14
3,200 relay — Williamsport (Troxell, Buchman, Oliver, Hewitt, 2004) 7:58.15
High jump — Steve Milburn (Williamsport, 1979), Elmer Sewell (Smithsburg, 1995), Corey Brown (Smithsburg, 2002) 6-6
Long jump — Dwayne Freeman (South Hagerstown, 1988) 23-5
Triple jump — Tyler King (Smithsburg, 2006) 46-11 1/4
Discus — Ryan Martin (Williamsport, 2003) 180-8
Shot put — Jim Rodgers (Smithsburg, 1979) 57-10 1/2
Pole vault — David Miller (North Hagerstown, 2001) 14-0
GIRLS
100 — Lasonya Primous (Smithsburg, 1997) 12.17
200 — Lasonya Primus (Smithsburg, 1997) 24.80
400 — Heather Jenkins (Smithsburg, 1999) 57.49
800 — Hayley Harnett (Boonsboro, 2007) 2:19.57
1,600 — Lynn Ziegler (North Hagerstown, 1988) 5:09.24
3,200 — Ashley Lockard (Clear Spring, 2003) 11:14.55
100H — Zoe Hunt (Smithsburg, 1993) 14.84
300H — Sarah Hensley (Boonsboro, 2005) 44.07
400 relay — North Hagerstown (Zampelli, Scott, Ritter, Hamilton, 2007) 50.74
800 relay — Smithsburg (Fowkes, Hill, Campbell, Brown, 2004) 1:45.14
1,600 relay — Boonsboro (Walla, Robertson, Hensley, Harnett, 2005) 4:04.53
3,200 relay — Williamsport (Ruland, Atha, Berry, Forsythe, 2004) 9:40.44
High jump — Kelly Lowery (Boonsboro, 1987) 5-8
Long jump — Zoe Hunt (Smithsburg, 1993) 18-8
Triple jump — Zoe Hunt (Smithsburg, 1993) 38-8
Discus — Meagan Verdeyen (North Hagerstown, 1999) 135-3
Shot put — Meagan Verdeyen (North Hagerstown, 1999) 43-3
Pole vault — Sarah McDonald (Williamsport, 2000) 10-6

I recently checked out the world ultrarunning lists for 2007. (Click here to see them.)
Not only was last year’s JFK 50 Mile the largest ultramarathon in U.S. history with its 1,078 finishers, it appears to have been the most competitive 50-miler in the world last year.
Scroll down to Page 61 on the list, and you’ll see that only 95 men worldwide are credited with breaking 7 hours for 50 miles, and 16 of them did it at JFK, more than double the number of sub-7s at the next leading race.
And eight of the 59 women who broke 8 hours for 50 did it at JFK.