SOL Track & Field Notebook (4-9-14)

Scott Huff’s notebook highlights a pair of Council Rock South athletes and also recaps last weekend’s golden performances.

By Scott Huff

Council Rock South senior Jeffrey Wiseman is poised for an outstanding final scholastic season.

Wiseman – who set a meet record at the Council Rock North Kiwanis Club meet last week in the 800 meters with a time of 1:54.13 in less than ideal weather – is far from running at his peak performance.

“Right now all I think about is place – not time,” said Wiseman.  “I probably won’t be too concerned about time until early May.  My goal is to gain experience in just running the race and winning – not about my time.  I want to continue my training to be ready at the end of the season.”

“Jeffrey doesn’t want to get himself worn down at this point of the season,” said Council Rock South head coach Lyn Spearing.  “You can’t really keep that sharp edge for an entire season.  You know that he is going to be at his best at leagues, districts, and states when the quality of competition is at its highest.

“He is working on tempo and his distance work,” added Spearing.  “Later on he will add more intense work on the finish.  He has his sights set on a state championship.”

Wiseman – who will attend the University of Pennsylvania next year to major in Philosophy/Politics/and Economics – is one of the favorites to compete for that state title.  His biggest competition should come from Joey Logue of Pennridge and Kyle Francis of Bensalem.

“Both Joey and Kyle are my two biggest rivals,” said Wiseman.  “And to be able to compete against them is always a huge challenge.”

Wiseman has also accepted a challenge to help his team win some dual meets along the way this year.  Wiseman has competed on in the long jump – and has gone over 21 feet this year.

“My jumping is a little humorous, but I wanted to be able to earn some points for my team in the dual meets,” said Wiseman.  “I am a pretty good athlete, and I used to play a lot of different sports before I concentrated on track.  I love competing.”

“Jeffrey played soccer in ninth grade, didn’t really run winter track, and came out in the spring,” remembered Spearing.  “The kids on the team knew about him before the coaches did.  He really began to take off his sophomore year, and he is still getting better.

“I really believe that he has a great upside when he gets to the college level,” added Spearing.  “He has not reached his mental or physical peak yet – that will come in the next couple of years.”

“Once I begin running at college, I believe that I will get both stronger and faster,” said Wiseman.  “At that level – you are pushed much more than you are at the high school level.”

The best days for the talented Wiseman are ahead – stay tuned.

Council Rock junior Shannon Taub won three events – and set a record in two of those events – to highlight the performances at the Lady Skins Invitational last week.  Taub set meet records in both the triple jump (36-feet, 8 inches) and high jump (5-foot, 6 ¼ inches) and also collected a first place finish in the long jump (16-feet, 9 inches).

“Shannon has a goal to win states – and after being a state runner-up in the winter season in both the triple jump and high jump – she has proven to be in the upper echelon in those events,” said Council Rock head coach Deric Lynch.  “She is extremely fun to watch compete, and she really has no ceiling to how good she can be.

“We are still very early in the season, and right now she is working on her timing and rhythm,” added Lynch.  “Our jumping coach – Ken Worthen – has been working very hard with Shannon and has gotten great results.  She studies very hard to become a better jumper, and she is just a great role model for the rest of the team.”

Shannon Taub has a very talented teammate in twin sister Allison.  Allison – an elite jumper in her own right last year – broke an ankle at the close of the basketball season.

“Allison snapped her ankle and can’t jump, but that didn’t mean she couldn’t compete,” said Lynch.  “She is working hard to become the one of the best throwers around, and she has had some success already this season in both the javelin and the shot put.

“Allison is the biggest fan of Shannon, and Shannon is the biggest fan of Allison,” continued Lynch.  “They want each other to do well – and they push each other to do well.  Both are kids that really ‘get it’ – and I love having them on this team.” 

****Gold Medal Performances****
Council Rock Kiwanis Club Invitational

Christian Brissett (Cheltenham) – 100 meters – [10.47)
Qadir Haqq (Central Bucks South) – 110 hurdles – [15.13]
Central Bucks South (Distance Medley Relay) – [10:48.27]
Council Rock North (Sprint Medley Relay) – [1:37.18]
David Marrington (Neshaminy) – 400 hurdles – [54.37]
Central Bucks East (4x800 relay) – [8:00.34]
Cheltenham (4 x 100 relay) – [43.07]
Jeffrey Wiseman (Council Rock South) – 800 meters – [1:54.13]
Ross Wilson (Council Rock North) – 3200 meters – [8:37.07]
Pennridge (4 x 400 relay) – [3:26.64]
Saahir Bethea (Cheltenham) – Long Jump - [21-8.05]
Jason Douple (Central Bucks West) - Pole Vault - [13-0]
Ryan Sterling (Pennridge) – Shot Put - [48-03.25]
Michael Jadwin (Central Bucks South) – Triple Jump – [42-06]
Andrew Varrichone (Quakertown) – Discus – [56-09]

Lady Skins Invitational

Katelyn Jackson (Cheltenham) – 100 meters – [12.10]
Chanel Brissett (Cheltenham) – 100 hurdles – [14.95]
Dasia Pressley (Neshaminy) – 200 meters – [24.27]
Uchechi Onucha (Pennsbury) – 300 hurdles – [46.35]
Pennsbury (4 x 800 relay) – [9:46.70]
Kaelyn Heinicke (Council Rock North) - 1600 meters - [5:01.53]
Neshaminy – 4 x 100 relay – [50.65]
Maddie Villalba (Central Bucks West) – 800 meters – [2:15.20]
Hannah Molloy (Pennsbury) – 3200 meters – [11.24.55]
Central Bucks West (4 x 400 relay) – [4:02.15]
Shannon Taub (Council Rock South) – Long Jump – [16-9]
Shannon Taub (Council Rock South) – Triple Jump – [36-8]
Shannon Taub (Council Rock South) – High Jump – [5-6.25]
Kathleen Hirthler (Council Rock South) – Pole Vault – [10-6]
Taylor Hojnacki (Central Bucks South) – Shot Put – [41-01]
Taylor Hojnacki (Central Bucks South) – Discus – [114-10]
Julie Wisniewski (Central Bucks West) – Javelin – [119-01]

SOL Track & Field Weekend Update
Saturday – April 12, 2014
SOL Schools In Attendance

44th Annual TCFCAOFGP Spring Invitational @ Coatesville
Abington
Central Bucks South
Cheltenham
Hatboro-Horsham
North Penn
Quakertown
Upper Dublin
Central Bucks East
Pennridge

7th Annual Viking Invitational @ Perkiomen Valley
Hatboro-Horsham
Souderton
Upper Merion
Upper Moreland

Bensalem
Bensalem
William Tennent
Council Rock North
Neshaminy

Pan-Ram Invitational @ Central Dauphin
Central Bucks West
Norristown
North Penn

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