This week’s notebook features several athletes who will be competing at this week’s Penn Relays. Check back for photos and stories.
By Scott Huff
Springfield junior Chris Stonequalified for three individual events at the prestigious Penn Relays. The enormously talented Stone decided to forgo the pole vault and the javelin to concentrate on the high jump. The Penn Relays restrict an individual to participate in just one individual event.
“I really wanted to be able to compete inside the stadium,” said Stone in reference to the iconic Franklin Field at the University of Pennsylvania. “And after looking at the field, we felt my best chance to finish high is in the high jump. I would love to be the top American in the competition.”
Stone – who comes into the spring season as the Pennsylvania indoor high jump champion with a leap of 6-foot, 8-inches – has jumped 6-8 and ¼ inch this spring – the # 1 ranked jump in the state.
“There is no reason why Chris can’t jump 6-9 or higher,” said Springfield head coach Chris Mazurek. “He is such a great athlete and is a student of the event. He works extremely hard on all the technical aspects of the event he is participating in, and he knows every little nuance.
“His coach is his Dad (Brian) and they have a great relationship,” added Mazurek. “His Dad is an assistant track and field coach at La Salle (High School) and is extremely knowledgeable.”
“My Dad has been my high jump coach my whole life, and it has worked out very well,” said Stone. “He has taught me every thing I know, and he knows what I have to do to get better.
“I have watched a lot of film on myself, and I love to watch YouTube and see what other jumpers do,” added Stone. “And my goal is to be the best that I can be.”
Stone is surely no slouch in either the pole vault or the javelin. Stone soared 15 feet indoors and captured a state championship – and was a district champion in the javelin.
College is a year away, and Stone sent our emails to over 80 colleges around the country expressing an interest in those schools.
“I wanted to get my name out to some of the bigger schools, and I have heard back from over 50 of them,” said Stone. “I have it narrowed down to around 30, but there is still time to get that settled.”
“Saturday at 10 o’clock in the morning at the Penn Relays, Chris will be competing at a high level,” said Mazurek. “And I feel that he is going to put on quite a show.”
Individual Acceptance for Penn Relays (Male)
Ross Wilson – Council Rock North – 3000 meters
Jake Brophy – Central Bucks East – 3000 meters
Ishmael Wright – Quakertown – 400 hurdles
Dave Marrington – Neshaminy – 400 hurdles
Chris Stone – Springfield – High Jump
Randall Johnson – Central Bucks South – High Jump
Byron Coleman – Plymouth Whitemarsh – Long Jump
Saahir Bethea – Cheltenham – Long Jump
Andrew Varichione – Quakertown – Discus
Individual Acceptance for Penn Relays (Female)
Marissa Sheva – Pennridge – Mile Run
Arianna Przylowski – Pennridge – Long Jump
Uche Onuoha – Pennsbury – Triple Jump
Shannon Taub – Council Rock South – Triple Jump
Taylor Hojnacki – Central Bucks South – Discus
Pennsbury Taking That First Train to Philadelphia
The Pennsbury Lady Falcon 4 x 800 relayhas turned in the best time in the State of Pennsylvania and will 
make the trek to Franklin Field at the University of Pennsylvania by train.
“We get the train in Yardley and travel the 45-50 minutes to the Penn Relays,” said Pennsbury head coach Tim Cass. “It gives us a chance to get ready and be focused.
“Our 4 x 800 has run the best time in the state – but we are going to run even faster,” said Cass. “We have an elite group of girls, and we have high expectations.”
The Falcon foursome is comprised of junior Erin O’Connell, sophomore Meridith Twomey, senior Erica Gray, and sophomore Olivia Sargent.
“Erin has such a great start and gets out of the traffic,” said Cass. “And Merideth does a great job of maintaining a lead.
“Erica is an experienced runner that knows how to compete at the highest level,” added Cass. “And Olivia has always been a great runner that has continued to get better. She puts us at the elite level.”
Pennsbury will also feature two other top relay teams in the 4 x 400 and the 4 x 100.
The 4 x 400 showcases Uchechi Onucha, Nini Rogers, Sargent, and Gray. The 4 x 100 features Rogers, Onucha, Sargent, and Gray.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if we run a sub-four minute in the 4 x 400,” said Cass. “And I wouldn’t be surprised if we run a sub-50 in the 4 x 100.
“The Penn Relays always gets everyone excited,” continued Cass. “We can’t wait to get there.”
Let’s hope Amtrak is on time.
SOL National Elite Performances @ Central Bucks West Relays
Individual (Female):
Uchechi Onuoha (Pennsbury) – 300 hurdles [46.22]
Taylor Hojnacki (Central Bucks South) – Discus [130-8]
Sarah Gray (William Tennent) – High Jump [5-4]
Shannon Taub (Council Rock South) – High Jump [5-5]
Ariana Przbylowski (Pennridge) – Long Jump [17-8.75]
Victoria Waddington (Hatboro-Horsham) – Shot Put [37-5.25]
Taylor Hojnacki (Central Bucks South) – Shot Put [40-0]
Shannon Taub (Council Rock South) – Triple Jump [36-0.75]
Relays (Female):
Pennsbury (4 x 800) – [9:23.40]
Central Bucks East (4 x 800) – [9:39.85]
Central Bucks West (4 x 800) – [9:41.10]
Central Bucks South (4 x 800) – [9:43.79]
Central Bucks South (DMR) – [12:20.74]
Central Bucks West (Sprint) – [4:02.99]
North Penn (Sprint) – [4:16.42]
Quakertown (Sprint) – [4:19.82]
Pennsbury (Sprint) – [4:27.62]
Central Bucks East (Sprint) – [4:29.32]
Relays (Male):
Council Rock North (4 x 1600) – [18:12.63]
Council Rock South (4 x 1600) – [18:24.01]
Pennsbury (4 x 400) – [3:22.60]
Pennsbury (4 x 800) – [7:58.79]
Pennridge (Sprint) – [3:35.89]
-30-
- Log in to post comments
