This week’s notebook highlights Quakertown’s Andrew Varichione and Pennsbury’s Uchechi Onuoha.
By Scott Huff
Quakertown senior Andrew Varichione had a dream of competing in the Penn Relays in the discus. But in order to participate in the prestigious event, he would have to throw a personal best of 150 feet – and up until the Council Rock North Kiwanis Relays on April 4, his personal best was 149 feet.
His first two throws at the CR Kiwanis Meet were under that coveted 150 foot mark – but not his final toss that day soared 156 feet – 9 inches and punched his ticket to compete outside the iconic Franklin Field at the Penn Relays.
“I was freaking out when I made that throw,” said Varichione. “I was throwing around 150 feet in practice, but that wasn’t where I wanted to be. I just tried to keep my head together and remember everything that I was trained to do on that last throw.
“Once I let it go, I knew that it was going to be a good throw,” added Varichione. “I saw them backing up – and then I knew it was going to be good enough to get me to the Penn Relays.”
The hurdle of making the Penn Relays turned into a second source of anxiousness for the Panther senior.
“I told my coach that I didn’t want to finish last at the Penn Relays,” said Varichione. “I knew I was competing with the best, and I knew that I wanted to do the best that I could do.”
“Andrew is one of those kids that shows up in the pressure situation,” said Quakertown track and field coach Sean Stetler. “He seems to rise to the level of competition.”
And that became evident on his very first throw at the Penn Relays when Varichione launched the discus 162 feet – 1 inch – a full 5-feet, 4-inches better than his personal best.
“Andrew was seeded 22nd in the event – and he finished 10th with that throw,” said Stetler. “And he was only five inches from reaching the finals.
“Andrew is such a good kid and is a great leader,” added Stetler. “He leads by example but he can also keep everyone in order. He really excels in all three of his events.”
Varichione also throws both the javelin and the shot put. His personal bests are 157-4 in the javelin and 43-6 and ½ in the shot put.
Varichione will take his talents to Valparasio University (NW Indiana) next year where he will join Crusader track and field team. He will major in civil engineering.
“I have family out there,” said Varichione. “And I have already talked with the coach and I’m excited about going there.”
Another dream come true.
Pennsbury junior Uchechi Onuoha was the indoor triple jump champion this season and the talented athlete also made her presence known at the Penn Relays last week. Onuocha finished fourth in the event with a personal best leap of 38-feet, 10 and ½ inches.
“I went into the event super nervous for some reason,” said Onuoha. “All of the jumpers there are so good and I haven’t seen any of them before. But that competition always seems to bring the best out in me.
“One of my goals this season is to win the triple jump in the outdoor season,” added Onuoha. “This year I am concentrating on my individual events rather than the relays, and I would like to compete at the highest level.”
In addition to the triple jump, Onuoha competes in both the long jump and 100 meter hurdles.
“Uchechi is extremely athletic and there is no reason why she can’t go 39-feet in the triple jump, 17-feet plus in the long jump, and break 15 in the 100,” said Pennsbury head coach Tim Cass. “She came into the program as a very good soccer player, but now her entire focus is on track.
“She really is one of the top athletes in the state,” added Cass. “The best thing about her, though, might just be the sense of humor she brings – she always brings a smile to my face.
“We are getting ready for the biggest meets of the season – the league meet, districts, and states,” continued Cass. “I expect nothing other than impressive performances in each of them.”
There were four national elite performances in the Lady Hatter Classic held last week at Hatboro-Horsham.
Anecia Alexaki of Upper Merionrecorded a 10-foot, 6-inch jump in the pole vault. Dara Liss of Cheltenham also recorded a 10-6 jump in the pole vault. Megan Penecale of Upper Moreland tossed the shot put 37-feet, 10 and ½ inches. Ashley Alexander of Cheltenham had a shot put toss of 37-feet.
‘On’ Deck in the SOL
Thursday (May 1, 2014)
Montgomery Memorial Meet @ William Tennent
(SOL Teams Attending)
Abington
Bensalem
CB West
Cheltenham
CR South
Truman
Neshaminy
Pennsbury
Springfield
Upper Moreland
William Tennent
Trojan Track Classic @ Wissahickon
(SOL Teams Attending)
Cheltenham
Hatboro-Horsham
Norristown
North Penn
Plymouth Whitemarsh
Quakertown
Upper Dublin
Upper Merion
Wissahickon
Helman Memorial Invitational @ Pennridge
(SOL Teams Attending)
Central Bucks East
CR North
Pennridge
Saturday (May 3, 2014)
Rob Thomas Memorial Invitational @ Neshaminy
(SOL Teams Attending)
CB West
CR North
CR South
Truman
Neshaminy
William Tennent
Lady Rocker Invitational @ Council Rock North
(SOL Teams Attending)
Bensalem
CB East
CB West
Truman
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