By Scott Huff
The shining star that is Neshaminy sophomore sprinter Dasia Pressleyalmost came out of nowhere. 
Pressley – who had the 5th fastest time in the nation during the winter track season in the 200 meters - did not come to the Lady Skins program with a sparkling middle school resume.
“I remember Dasia coming out for the team just to make some new friends,” said Neshaminy head coach Margie Stefan. “And honestly, her form and work habits were a little bit on the sloppy side. She didn’t come into the program as one of our top runners.
“But she worked very hard during the year to get better, and all the hard work has made her one of the best runners in the nation,” continued Stefan. “She is an extremely strong finisher and once she improves on her starts she will get even better.”
“My Dad encouraged me to go out for winter track my freshman year, and I really liked my teammates,” remembered Pressley. “When I started running track, I had no idea about how good I was going to be. I just decided to work as hard as I could and hopefully good things would happen.
“I have already heard from some colleges,” added Pressley – who has had interest shown from UCLA. “But I am only a sophomore, and I am going to focus on each season.
“I love running the outdoor season, and I love running the 200 (meters),” continued Pressley. “My goal for the year is to win states in the 200 and to be in the top three in the 100. If I can improve on my starts out of the blocks, it could happen.”
And that shining star will gain even more brilliance.
How about those Quakertown Panthers?
Quakertown had not won a Suburban One League dual meet for the last five seasons.
However, the Panthers collected their first win in five years in the first dual meet of the season with an 81-69 win over Souderton. It was also the first dual meet victory for Q-town’s first year boys head coach Sean Stetler.
“The guys on this team never won a dual meet, and they were pumped after we beat Souderton,” said Stetler. “And we were able to do it without our best athlete competing.”
The bluest of chips for the Black Cat program just might be Ishmael Wright who excels in the 300 hurdles, high jump, and the 400 meters. Wright missed the Souderton meet while on a campus visit to the University of Rhode Island.
“Ishmael is our go-to guy – our point getter,” said Stetler. “And for us to be able to overcome his point loss says a lot about the depth we have on the team this year.
“Also, Gavin Woodard is our best thrower and he was unable to compete against Souderton either,” added Stetler. “He couldn’t throw – but we took advantage of his legs. He ran the 100, 200, and ran a leg on the 4 x 100 relay.”
Quakertown will have four seniors competing Saturday in the Council Rock Kiwanis Invitational. Wright (400 hurdles), Alex Balla (5K), Colin McLaughlin (1500 meters), and Andrew Varichione (discus) will compete against some elite competition.
“I am excited to see these individuals compete on Saturday,” said Stetler. “And I am also excited to see how well we can compete with some of the other teams in the dual meet season.”
How about that?
Ready or Not – Here We Come!
Neshaminy will host the Lady Skins Invitational on Saturday at Harry Franks Stadium.
“The weather is supposed to be great,” said fifth year Neshaminy head coach Margie Stefan. “But we sure have had other issues to deal with to get ready for the meet.
“We found out that the Press Box has mold, the snack stand doesn’t have water, and we can’t use the restrooms,” added Stefan. “But we will set up a microphone and results table on the field – use bottled water – and use porta potties. We should be in good enough shape to run everything.”
The featured race should be the sprints that showcase the talents of sophomore Dasia Pressley of Neshaminy against the dynamic duo from Cheltenham – senior Katelyn Jackson (UCLA recruit) and freshman Chanel Brissett.
“Those races and the four by 100 meters relay should be the events to see,” said Stefan. “The runners in those events are top runners not only in the state – but in the nation.
“There is a lot of work that has to be done to get this meet together,” continued Stefan. “But even with all the problems with the burst pipes, it is going to be a great day.”
Gold Medal Performances
30th Annual Pennsylvania Track Classic
March 29, 2014
Female
Dasia Pressley (Neshaminy) – 100 meters – [12.52]
Dasia Pressley (Neshaminy) – 200 meters – [25.79]
Tate Dawson (Central Bucks East) – 3200 meters – [11:48.16]
Central Bucks East – 4 x 400 relay – [4:20.5]
Victoria Waddington – (Hatboro-Horsham) – Javelin – [108.02]
Ariana Przbylowski – (Pennridge) – Long Jump – [17.06.75]
Male
Christian Brissett (Cheltenham) – 100 meters – [11.36]
Ryan Grace (North Penn) – 1600 meters – [4:25.68]
North Penn – 4 x 100 relay – [44.30]
John Lewis – Cheltenham – 800 meters – [1:59.81]
Matt Knittle – (Wissahickon) – High Jump – [6.00.00]
SOL Track & Field Weekend Update
Saturday – April 5, 2014
SOL Schools in Attendance
Council Rock Kiwanis Invitational
Abington
Central Bucks South
Central Bucks West
Cheltenham
Council Rock North
Council Rock South
Hatboro-Horsham
Neshaminy
Norristown
Pennridge
Pennsbury
Quakertown
William Tennent
Lady Skins Invitational
Central Bucks East
Central Bucks West
Cheltenham
Council Rock South
Neshaminy
Pennsbury
Colonial Relays
Hatboro-Horsham
Plymouth Whitemarsh
Souderton
Upper Dublin
Wissahickon
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