Independent School programs run well on big stage
At Briarwood, fans witnessed a big day for the Independent schools in one of the biggest meets of the season.
In the girls championship race, Friends Central freshman Gabrielle Wilkinson made her 5000 meter high school debut against some of the best in the southeastern part of the state. For those who follow summer track, they would know of her accomplishments, winning AAU national titles and setting age group records along the way. So those fans wouldn’t have been too surprised by her runner up performance through the rain and cool conditions. Her time of 19:28 was the 2nd fastest time by a PA runner on the day, and she was the top PA runner in the championship race behind New Jersey’s Brianna Guess. Wilkerson will have her time in the winner circle during her career, but as far as debut races go, it ranks as one of the best.
About a half hour after Wilkerson’s performance, Malvern Prep took to the course to contest the boys championship race. The Independent School champions went toe to toe with the likes of Cardinal O’Hara, Central Bucks East, and LaSalle for an early season challenge and they excelled. The Friars placed five in the top 20, including a history making performance from star junior Jaxson Hoey, to come away as champions over the field by 31 points. In the victory, Hoey recorded the 3rd fastest time in the long history of Belmont Plateau with his time of 15:30, trailing the Rosa brothers, Joe and Jim, from West Windsor Plainsboro (NJ).
Did this performance send Malvern to the top of the state rankings? Was Wilkerson’s performance one of what could be many excellent ones? What we do know is that for at least one day, the Independent schools reined the state!
Unionville and Pennsbury square off in PA takeover of New Jersey
At the Cherokee Invitational, Unionville and Pennsbury girls squared off in 2 mile races by class. Unionville has used this race in the past couple of seasons to boost them towards a successful season, including a 2013 win. The top two teams in the past two seasons in AAA were looking to gain an early advantage on their opposition.
Unionville came away with the individual winner in the sophomore (Anna Juul), junior (Kacie Breeding) and senior races (Olivia Young). Pennsbury had their top five runners finish with the top 19 times of the meet, compared to Unionville’s five in the top 22. But Unionville’s three winners had the top six times at the 2 mile distance and that was enough for the Indians to edge the Falcons 42-52.
So mark one for the win column for the AAA champions. However, 10 points in a competition with over 60 schools is a very slim margin. What can we look forward to when these two teams go head to head at 5000 meters? Stay tuned to find out
As an added bonus, yesterday’s Cherokee meet was a win for PA, as the girls overall standings featured four PA teams in the top four, with Conestoga and Downingtown West rounding out the top four.
Great work PA!
The Champ Is Here…back on top!
Saturday was the long awaited debut of the reigning Class A state champion Griffin Molino of South Williamsport at the Spiked Shoe Invitational. Molino was one of three athletes to break 16 minutes at the state meet last season, and he ended last track season as a 3200 meter state medalist in AA.
Through cold and rain, the champion stormed through his 2014 debut race against the likes of Zach Brehm of Carlisle, the defending Spiked Shoe champion, and one of the AA contenders, Jack Tidball of Tunkhannock, to win the gold medal in lifetime best 15:43, good for PA#6 and 2nd fastest time of the weekend! The win marked his 4th straight victory in PA completion and it is his 9th top ten finish in his last ten cross country races in all competitions (PA, Regionals, Nationals).
Will anyone be able to catch the champ, or did his performance over the weekend put him out of reach? For anyone who does try to catch him, they will have to work their socks off!
Potts continues to roll
Kelsey Potts of Mount Lebanon continues to roll against most of her competition in the 2014 season. With the exception of last week Red White and Blue defeat to course record holder Madeleine Davison, Potts still cruised to victory at the big Slippery Rock Invitational, a pre District 7 meet for teams looking to get a head start on their district title meet preparations.
Potts has been one of the models of consistency in PA since she started her high school career back in 2012-13. The junior has competed in 14 cross country meets in just over two seasons and she has only finished outside of the top 4 twice, and that was her freshman season at Foundation (12th) and States (20th). She is missing a major championship victory, but the girl does know how to compete in big meets.
Her track record suggests she is ready to take that next step. But with the likes of Brianna Schwartz and Madeleine Davison to contend with, it will be a great challenge. Victory will be very sweet if she earns her first major postseason win.