Scott Huff highlights some of the top boys’ performances at last weekend’s District One meet. To view photos of the meet action, please visit the Photo Gallery.
By Scott Huff
You remember 1987.
A gallon of gasoline cost 89 cents, a postage stamp cost 24 cents, a 1987 Ford Mustang could be yours for $ 9,209, and the average income was $ 24,350.00.
And the Bensalem boys track team won a league championship.
“It has been a while – a long while,” said Bensalem head coach Mary Ellen Malloy. “We have always had a tradition at Bensalem of having talented individuals, but we haven’t had the numbers to win team championships.”
The numbers added up to a coveted title in the 2012 Suburban One National Conference championships when the Owls soared to a 233.2 point first place finish that edged conference rival Council Rock North which scored 226.3 points. And Bensalem followed that performance with a brilliant 48 point second place effort in the PIAA District One Championship behind only first place Strath Haven that wowed the competition with 71 points.
The Owls crossed the finish line first and set school records in both the 4 x 800 relay and the 4 x 400 relay in the district meet, and junior Ohlye Elijah won gold in the 400 meters. Bensalem impressed with a 7:49.11 in the 4 x 800 relay and jetted to a 3:17.67 in the 4 x 400 relay. Elijah was the best in the district in the 400 meters with a clocking of 48.79.
“Our success may have come as a surprise to a lot of people, but not to the coaches on this team,” said Malloy. “We have put together some really good races, but to be honest, there is still more there. We have not really come close enough to that perfect race as a relay, and Ohlye is just getting closer to running his perfect race.
“These kids know the fine line of being confident without being cocky,” added Malloy. “They all have talent, but they all work their butts off to get better. They are very receptive to what the coaches have to share with them, and have worked hard on both the physical and mental part of being successful.”
The talent pool is deep for the Owls – and young.
The 4 x 800 relay is comprised of junior Armad Cox-Finn, sophomore Eric Corry, sophomore Kyle Francis, and junior Brad Rivera. The 4 x 400 relay includes sophomore Kerron Holley, Rivera, Cox-Finn, and Elijah.
“Sometimes you let your mind drift to next year, but we still have a lot to focus on this year,” said Malloy. “We won’t even think about the finals. We have trials on Friday, and if we don’t focus there we won’t have finals to worry about. We need to focus on the next day, and the next meet.”
Just like in 1987.
Suburban One League Seniors Collect Gold
Cheltenham senior Harley LaCroix left the medal ceremony with a first place medal draped around his neck – and a huge smile on his face. LaCroix won the long jump with a personal best leap of 23-5.25.
“This was a great competition, I love competing with my friends and cheering them on,” said LaCroix. “We all want to win, and we seem to be able to bring out the best in each other.
“I really didn’t expect to jump my personal best,” added LaCroix. “I hurt my ankle, but I was able to focus and come up with some of my best jumps.”
Central Bucks West senior Corey Smith also left in the medal ceremony with a first place medal draped around his neck. Smith earned the individual title with a personal best performance of 15-0.
“I couldn’t really ask for anything more,” said Smith who attempted to clear 15-6. “I really feel that I have the ability to go higher, but sometimes the height just gets into your head. To me, it is more of a mental thing than a physical thing.
“I am really excited to compete at states,” added Smith. “I will work on the top end of my jump, and we’ll see what that can do.”
Upper Moreland senior Drew Magaha also left the medal ceremony with a first place finish in the 1600 meters. Magaha crossed the finish line in a district best 4:08.94.
“It was a great feeling to win, I haven’t run too many miles,” said Magaha who owns the state record in the 800 meters. “I was a little rusty, but I was happy with the way I ran the race. You never want to be too complacent when you’re on the track.”
Hatboro-Horsham senior Sam Hibbs also left the medal ceremony with a first place medal around his neck. Hibbs ran a district best time of 9:08.62 in the 3200 meters.
Making The Trip to Ship(pensburg)
110 Hurdles
Max Hairston – Wissahickon
Paul Wahlman – Council Rock North
100 Meters
Ryan Hynes – Central Bucks South
Brandon Shippen – Norristown
Corey Hackett – Hatboro-Horsham
1600 Meters
Drew Magaha – Upper Moreland
Chris Trimble – North Penn
400 Meters
Ohyle Elijah – Bensalem
Dave Stellato – Wissahickon
Kerron Holley – Bensalem
Corey Hackett – Hatboro-Horsham
300 Hurdles
Paul Wahlman – Council Rock North
Max Hairston – Wissahickon
Ryan Hynes – Central Bucks South
Chris Harling – Pennridge
800 Meters
Brad Rivera – Bensalem
Jeffrey Wiseman – Council Rock South
200 Meters
Mark Thompson – Cheltenham
Bryan Reice – Neshaminy
3200 Meters
Sam Hibbs – Hatboro-Horsham
Mac Emery – Council Rock North
Jack Macauley – North Penn
Conner Quinn – Hatboro-Horsham
Chris Berry – Central Bucks West
4 x 100 Relay
Neshaminy
Central Bucks South
Cheltenham
Pennsbury
Pennridge
4 x 400 Relay
Bensalem
Pennridge
Pennsbury
Wissahickon
4 x 800 Relay
Bensalem
Pennridge
High Jump
Jalen Ramsey – Norristown
Horace Spencer – William Tennent
Pole Vault
Corey Smith – Central Bucks West
Vincent Esposito – North Penn
James Harcher – Quakertown
Long Jump
Harley LaCroix – Cheltenham
Ryan Hynes – Central Bucks South
Triple Jump
Harley LaCroix – Cheltenham
Seyram Avakame – Bensalem
Julien Freeman – Harry S Truman
Shot Put
Tevin Kirby – Hatboro-Horsham
John Garland – North Penn
Jared Rosenholtz – Central Bucks South
Discus
Tanoh Kpassagnon - Wissahickon
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