Photo by Phil Grove
We have been spending the last month or so counting down the top 20 moments of the 2015-2016 year in Pennsylvania track and field and cross country. Yesterday, we focused on the great state meet from Olivia Sargent and the Pennsbury girls cross country team from the fall. Now, we look at a state record-setting performance by the Cheltenham girls 4x100-meter relay.
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Photo by Don Rich
There are never any guarantees in the 4x100-meter relay. Execution is everything and one small misstep can cost a team everything. And in a year that was as fast as 2016, plenty of teams will be there to capitalize on any mistakes from their opponents.
The Cheltenham girls were on a tear this past track season. They made the Championship of America in the 4x1 and then the next day won the Tri-State 4x1 at Penn, clocking a 46.36. That was .11 off the state record, set in 1996 by Simon Gratz.
Some rainy conditions derailed what would have been a good shot at the record and a possible sub-46 the team was looking for. That would set up a final chance at the PIAA State Championships. But an injury to anchor Chanel Brissett on the Friday of states threatened to dash those hopes, too. We recounted the crazy 48 hours for the Cheltenham girls after the state meet.
But Brissett was back in good form on Saturday, an injured knee wrapped in tape. Along with a crazy fast group that included Brielle Lewis, Bri Barnes, and Alexis Crosby, the Panthers were ready to roll in the final. The quartet made it look easy, powering to a massive state record and sub-46 race. A 45.78!
It was a remarkable effort by a remarkably fast group of girls. All four will be back in 2017, by the way.
Watch the Cheltenham girls' interview at states: