Briarwood Invitational
Only four girls had every broken 19:00 at Philly's Belmont Plateau before today. And what a day for a record. Only 96 hours after one of the darkest days in the history of our country, there were signs of hope. Athletes who gave their all. Parents who gave their support. Coaches who gave their knowledge and inspiration. Volunteers who gave their time. And one incredible course record. Highlights: Council Rock takes both Championship races. Great Valley takes both Division Two races. Hatboro-Horsham girls and Father Judge boys take Division One races.
Girls' Championship Race: Sophomore Jessica Cickay, who runs for a school with a remarkable running tradition, ran the first sub-18:30 5K at Belmont Plateau during the annual Briarwood Invitational. Her time of 18:26.21 surpassed the likes of Donna Fidler, the Norristown star who was the first sub-19:00 at 18:56. And St. Hubert's star Jackie Kelly, who went 18:51 at last year's Ryan Invitational. And the runs of Footlocker Finalists Sheila Klick, Prendie (now at LaSalle), and Julia Pudlin, Baldwin School (returning from injury for her sr. year). Pudlin set the record last year at this meet with a 18:31.7. Cickay has already run 17:50 this year. It is just a beginning. Council Rock girls have to be considered a strong contender for State Champs, and maybe even national ranking, after their win. But what a team Cardinal O'Hara has assembled. Only three points back. It's a shame these two can't meet again in November.
Cardinal O'Hara and North Penn, which would finish 2-3 behind Council Rock, get last minute advice.
Boys' Championship Race: Council Rock took a good Jersey program, Hunterdon Central, by 24 points. Their top duo of Mike DiDio and Rob Hampson, ran the entire race with Hunterdon #1 Jon Fox, until an all-out sprint at the end, when DiDio and Hampson went 1-2 in 16:11 and 16:13.
Girls' Division One Race (Large Schools) - Janine Ricci, a talented Hatboro-Horsham middle distance, as well as XC runner, held off Henderson's Marissa Murtaugh after the two exited the woods side by side. Ricci won in 20:23, leading her team to the title with just 44 points, over second place Henderson, with 51.
Meghan Bishop, Gwynedd-Mercy, wins Div. II race in 10th best time of day.
Boys' Division One Race (Large Schools) - Middle distance star Steve Craig showed he has some distance kick, touring the difficult Belmont Plateau course in the fifth fastest time of the day, and taking the Division One race by .18 over Justin Woodruff of West Chester East. His team didn't fare as well, getting fifth behind Father Judge, 67, Abington, 106, Central, 109, and a rebuilding Haverford (minus their #3), with 114.
Girls' Division Two Race (Small Schools) - Great Valley looks incredible this year with their top four going 5-6-7-8, beating Gwynedd-Mercy by 16 points in the Small Schools race. Gwynedd-Mercy's Meghan Bishop took top honors with a nice 20:14.
Girls Division II winner Janine Ricci, Hatboro-Horsham, leads Marissa Murtaugh, Henderson, up the grade at 2.25 miles.
Boys' Division Two Race (Small Schools) - Great Valley boys took the Small Schools race with just 44 points, to hold off Mainland Regional (NJ) by a single point. The Patriot's Bill Patchak won the race for the Malvern school by taking Mainland's Brian Gerten by five seconds with his 16:48.
NOTE: MY CAMERA BROKE BEFORE THE BOY'S RACES. I HAD A PHOTO OF CICKAY CROSSING THE LINE, AND HER BIG SMILE AFTER THE RACE, BUT THERE WILL BE MORE OPPORTUNITIES.
BUT THE PHOTOS OF AMERICANS EXPRESSING THEIR LOVE FOR THEIR COUNTRY WERE FAR MORE IMPORTANT TO ME PERSONALLY. IT WAS AN UPLIFTING DAY. A DAY THAT STARTED TO RENEW MY OWN SPIRIT. THE SPIRIT THAT OUR KIDS GIVE TO ALL OF US AS THEY REACH FOR THE STARS.