Scott Huff highlights several standout relay performances at the Penn Relays in this week’s notebook. To view photos of the Penn State Relays, please visit the Photo Gallery.
By Scott Huff
Central Bucks West girls head coach Kiki Bell said it best.
“It is great for the best to compete against the best,” said Bell in reference to her 4 x 400 relay team that won the Philadelphia Area race in a classic dual with Pennsbury. “Some people might think it is a little unlucky for a great team to have to compete with another great team in a given year, but my runners refuse to believe that.
“Pennsbury has a quality team, and they really woke us up with the time they ran at the CB West relays,” added Bell as the Bucks soared to a state best time of 3:50.68. “And our race against them at the Penn Relays was really cool – a great race to watch.”
“At the final exchange, it was pretty even with Pennsbury holding a step and ½ lead,” said Bell as West anchor Jamila Branch and Pennsbury anchor Zakiyyah Richardson received the baton. “Zakiyyah got off to a fast start, but Jamila ran a smart race and got even with her at the final turn. The place was going insane, and Jamila was able to pass her and finish in first.”
Branch – a junior – took the final exchange from sophomore Kelsey Horst. Junior Lizanne Furst runs the lead leg for the Bucks, while sophomore Courtney Taylor runs the second leg. The Bucks crossed the finish line in 3:52.51.
“Lizanne is very level headed and always runs a smart race,” said Bell. “Courtney is coming into her own and has improved with each and every race.
“Kelsey is very impressive and comes to us from soccer – she is all guts,” continued Bell. “And Jamila knows how to run the anchor. She knows how to chase if we are behind, and she can keep a lead if we have one.
“We know that we are going to have to compete with Pennsbury both at districts and again at states,” added Bell. “And that is a good thing.”
A very good thing for scholastic track fans.
The Pennsbury girls 4 x 400 relay finished second to West with a 3:53.51 at the Penn Relays, but the Falcons can still boast the best time in the entire State of Pennsylvania.
“We set the school record on that day,” said Pennsbury head coach Tim Cass. “We beat the school record by seven seconds. We went into the Penn Relays knowing that we would have to compete with CB West, and it was an exciting race.”
The Falcons feature a pair of freshmen on the 4 x 400 in lead leg Uche Oneoha and second leg Husiniyyah Rogers. Junior Sara Sargent – a gifted distance runner – runs the third leg, while the electric senior Zakiyyah Richardson runs the final leg for Pennsbury.
“Zakiyyah is a dynamic runner and is the leader of our team,” said Cass. “She holds the school record in the 100, 200, and 400 – and has the SOL National Conference record in the 100 and 200.
“Sara seems to have unlimited stamina to be able to run the relays as well as her distance events,” added Cass. “And the freshmen came to us with potential, and have continued to get better as the season has gone along.”
Cass doubles as the boys head coach – and the marquee rivalry for his boys team is the 4 x 100 relay versus Neshaminy.
“We were able to beat them in our dual meet, but they have gotten the best of us the last few weeks,” said Cass in reference to the CB West Relays, the Bensalem Relays, and the Penn Relays. “We don’t go into the meets thinking we have to beat Neshaminy, but we also know that they are going to be there.
“We will have chances to compete with them in the league (SOL National Conference) championships as well as districts and states,” added Cass. “It is great competition.”
Senior Adam Lewis leads off for the Falcons – junior Anthony Bullaro runs the second leg – junior Sam Peterson runs third – and junior Francis Jujua runs anchor.
“Adam is very explosive and gets out of the blocks,” said Cass. “Anthony does a great job with exchanges, and he really gets off to a running start.
“Sam is very strong in the turns,” added Cass. “And Francis is also very explosive and can finish a race.”
The best time of the season for the Falcons was a 42.56 mark at the CB West Relays – the school record is in sight at 42.45.
To view a video of the race, please click on the following link: http://www.runnerspace.com/video.php?video_id=65838-High-School-Girls-4x400-Philadelphia-Area-Highlights-Event-492-Penn-Relays-2012
Neshaminy excelled at the Penn Relays in the 4 x 100 with the fearsome foursome of Bryan Reice, Austin Gardener, Ryan DePinto, and Cody Minnig. The Skins ran a blistering 42.63 on Friday, and followed with an even better 42.62 on Saturday.
“I like to run my fastest two runners in the first and second legs,” said Neshaminy head coach Russ Horrocks. “But we work on different combinations, and nothing is set in stone. I believe that the runners need to compete with each other in practice, and I don’t want them to be have too much comfort.
“We have to be focused and clean things up as we go,” continued Horrocks. “We don’t want to accept mediocrity with this group of runners.”
Who’s Where and When?
Council Rock North Lady Rocker Invitational – Saturday – May 5, 2012
Bensalem Owls
Central Bucks East Patriots
Central Bucks South Titans
Central Bucks West Bucks
Council Rock North Indians
Council Rock South Golden Hawks
Harry S Truman Tigers
Hatboro-Horsham Hatters
Neshaminy Redskins
Pennridge Rams
Pennsbury Falcons
Upper Dublin Flying Cardinals
William Tennent Panthers
Rob Thomas Memorial (Neshaminy) Invitational – Saturday – May 5, 2012
Bensalem Owls
Cheltenham Panthers
Council Rock North Indians
Council Rock South Golden Hawks
Harry S Truman Tigers
Neshaminy Redskins
Norristown Eagles
Pennridge Rams
Upper Dublin Flying Cardinals
William Tennent Panthers
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