Scott Huff highlights Saturday’s SOL highlights at the Penn Relays. To view photos of Saturday’s action, please visit the Photo Gallery.
By Scott Huff
Neshaminy junior Dave Marrington had never run a race as early as he ran the 400-meter hurdles at the Penn Relays. However, the early 9 am starting time did little to diminish a superlative performance by Marrington who ran a career best 53.37 to finish fourth in the event.
“I went to bed real early last night – around 9,” said Marrington. “I set the alarm for 6:20 – met at the school at seven – and rode down on the bus and got here at eight.
“I got a chance to warm up some on the soccer field – but I had to quick get to the check in and found out I was in the first heat,” added Marrington. “I was still in my sweats when everyone else was getting ready in the blocks.”
It didn’t much matter as Marrington – who started in lane eight – blasted out of the blocks and led from the opening gun to the finish line to win his heat.
“When you start in lane eight, you are running pretty much blind,” said Marrington. “I knew I had to get out fast, and I knew that I couldn’t check to see who was closing on me.
“This was the most fun that I have ever had running the hurdles,” continued Marrington. “This was only the third time that I have ever run the 400 hurdles, and I was especially happy with both my finish and my time.”
Marrington usually runs the 300 meters on the scholastic level and is one of the premier runners at that distance. However, Marrington really enjoys the extra 100 meters and the challenge the 400 gives him.
“I feel that I might have more endurance than some of the other runners,” said Marrington. “My Dad (Council Rock North head coach Dave Marrington) tells me that some of the competition fades at the 300 mark, and I’m still going strong.
“I trained at his school on some Sundays to get ready for this event,” added Marrington in reference to the Rock North track. “The track there is already marked off for the 400, and it helped me get ready for the Penn Relays.
“This was a great day for me, and I gained some respect,” continued Marrington. “I am really happy with the way the day turned out.”
Even if the alarm clock rang a little bit early for race.
The Cheltenham 4 x 100 relay also had good reason to be happy with its performance at the Penn Relays. The Lady Panther foursome of Ciara Leonard, Janiel Slowley, Chanel Brissett, and Katelyn Jackson captured first place in the prestigious Tri-State Relays with a time of 47.11.
“I think they showed everyone what a special relay team they have,” said Cheltenham head coach Kelly Jensen. “I am just so proud of them. They performed well on the big stage.
“They have a tremendous chemistry,” added Jensen. “They have the ability to communicate with each other extremely well, and if something isn’t working they will fix it. They won’t blame each other if something goes wrong – they will accept what happens and simply move on.
“It was great to accomplish what we accomplished at the Penn Relays,” continued Jensen. “But what we have to remember is that we still have 1/3 of the season left. We have the league meets, districts, and states. We have a great group here – but we still have a lot left to do.”
Jensen also was excited about the near future for the Cheltenham program.
“It was great to see both our ninth graders and middle school team leave the Penn Relays as winners,” said Jensen. “Our program is at a good spot right now.”
A very good spot.
The Penn Relays have a way of bringing out the best in athletes.
In the high jump, Springfield junior Chris Stone finished in third place with a leap of 6-foot, 8-inches. His previous best this spring season was 6-6. Central Bucks South senior Randall Johnson finished in eighth place with a jump of 6-3 and ½, which betters his previous best this spring of 6-2.
In the 3000 meters, Council Rock North senior Ross Wilson finished in sixth place with a time of 8:23.56, which bettered his previous outdoor time of 8:37.07. Central Bucks East sophomore Jake Brophy finished in 22nd place with a time of 8:41.82 which improved from his previous best of 8:42.52.
In the discus, Quakertown senior Andrew Varichione captured a 10th place finish with a toss of 162.01. The distance was an incredible 22 feet better than his throw of 140-1.
In the long jump, Cheltenham junior Saahir Bethea finished in 12th place with a leap of 22-feet, 3 ¼ inches, which bested his previous mark of 21-6. Byron Johnson of Plymouth Whitemarsh captured 14th place with a jump of 22-1 ¾, which was an improvement over his previous best of 20-5 and ¼.
In the 400 hurdles, Quakertown senior Ishmael Wright ran a career best 55.56 as Wright finished in 12th place.
Congratulations to Central Bucks West, North Penn, and Cheltenham who raced in the HSG 4 X 400 Philly Area Relay. CB West (3:51.61) captured first in the event; North Penn (3:56.43) finished in fourth place; while Cheltenham (4:10.70) captured 12th place.
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