To view photos of this weekend's SOL Championships, please visit the Photo Gallery.
By Scott HuffAn emerald is a magnificent gem.
Plymouth Whitemarsh senior Emerald Walden is a magnificent hurdler.
Walden – who captured SOL American Conference gold in both the 100 and 300 hurdles – is signed, sealed, and soon to be delivered to Villanova University.
“Emerald had other good choices, but Villanova was a great fit for her and her family,” said Plymouth Whitemarsh head coach Cardwell Wootten. “A big part of her decision was the fact that her family would be able to continue watching her run.”
“Actually, the decision to go the Villanova was pretty easy,” said Walden. “They have both things that were very important to me – a strong academic program (she will major in psychology) and a strong sports program.”
Walden is often mentioned in the same breath as exceptional Abington hurdler Leah Nugent. Nugent – who won SOL National Conference gold in both the 100 and 300 hurdles – is a friendly rival.
“We have trained with each other, and we try to push each other,” said Walden. “It is nice to have someone to talk to about running hurdles.”
“Emerald seems to be a little stronger in the 100, while Leah has had better times in the 300,” said Wooten. “But races are not always run clean, and one could beat the other in either race at districts.”
That assessment held up at the SOL league meets as Walden ran a 14.05 in the 100 compared to 14.09 by Nugent. Nugent was clocked in 43.25 in the 300, while Walden stopped the watches in 45.58.
A race as technical as the hurdles can come down to a tip of a hurdle.
“When I run a race, all I think about is positive outcomes,” said Walden. “I never run a race nervous that things won’t go well.”
“Emerald is a very focused runner,” said Wooten. “Her race efficiency is great, and we expect nothing but the best from her.”
Walden is indeed a precious gem of a hurdler.
Cheltenham won the team title for the women with a final score of 185. Wissahickon placed second (108), Plymouth Whitemarsh third (107), Norristown fourth (100), Upper Dublin fifth (87), Upper Merion sixth (70), and Upper Moreland seventh (35).
Suburban One League American Conference
Female Individual Champions
Cheltenham Panthers
Katelyn Jackson – 100 Meters – 12.22
4 x 100 Relay – 45.87
4 x 800 Relay – 9:40.83
Ciara Andrews – Long Jump – 17-3.5
Kelly Anne Stuetz – High Jump – 5-6
Norristown Eagles
Zayna Milligan – 200 meters – 25.87
4 x 400 relay – 4:09.6
Essen Milligan-Williams – 103-9
Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials
Emerald Walden – 100 hurdles – 14.05
Emerald Walden – 300 hurdles – 45.58
Haley Gorenflo – pole vault – 11-4
Christine Bowe – javelin – 104-11
Upper Dublin Flying Cardinals
Sarah Holl – 800 meters – 2:21.03
Sarah Holl – 1600 meters – 5:10.56
Upper Merion Vikings
Jada Wilson – 400 meters – 1:00.76
Christina Stewart – shot put – 35-5.25
Wissahickon Trojans
Jessica Quesenberry – 3200 meters – 11:51.37
Mens’ Competition
Cheltenham senior Matt Gilmore, who owns the best time in the state of Pennsylvania in the 400 meters with a clocking of 48.11, was fantastic on the track as he collected gold medal efforts in the three sprints during the running of the SOL American Conference championships held at Wissahickon High School. Gilmore sprinted to wins in the 100 (10.82), 200 (21.75), and 400 (48.44) meter races.
Wissahickon hurdler Max Hairston was a two-time winner in the 110 and 300 hurdles. Hairston recorded a winning time of 14.61 in the 110’s and a 39.12 in the 300’s.
Wissahickon won the Men’s team title with a final point total of 231.33. Cheltenham finished second (141), Upper Dublin finished third (112.33), Norristown finished fourth (79.33), Upper Moreland finished fifth (62), Plymouth Whitemarsh finished sixth (44), and Upper Merion finished seventh (19).
Male Individual Champions
Cheltenham Panthers
Matt Gilmore – 100 meters – 10.82
Matt Gilmore – 200 meters – 21.75
Matt Gilmore – 400 meters – 48.44
Harley LaCroix – Triple jump – 43-9.5
Norristown Eagles
Joe Smith – long jump – 22-9.0
Leonardo Collazo – shot put – 50-3.75
Terrance Edwards – discus – 136-11
Plymouth Whitemarsh
Carlos Bennett – high jump – 6-0
Upper Dublin Flying Cardinals
Tyler Fox – javelin – 142-08
Upper Moreland Golden Bears
Drew Magaha – 1600 meters – 4:13.5
4 x 100 meters – 44.4
Wissahickon Trojans
Hong Cho – 800 meters – 1:52.91
Dillion Farrell – 3200 meters – 9:44.88
Max Hairston – 110 hurdles – 14.61
Max Hairston – 300 hurdles – 39.12
4 x 400 relay – 3:24.03
4 x 800 relay – 8:07.35
Se Jin Jeong – pole vault – 14-0
Suburban One League Continental Conference
Womens’ Competition
North Penn Maiden Kayla Charles won three individual events to highlight the SOL Continental Conference women’s events. Charles captured the 100 meter hurdles (14.8), the 300 meter hurdles (46.18), and the long jump (17-6).
Pennridge’s Tori Gerlach and Quakertown’s Alicia Evans each collected a pair of individual wins. Gerlach won the 3200 meters (11:01.79) and the 1600 meters (5:06.16), while Evans won both the 200 meters (24.78) and the 400 meters (57.12).
North Penn dominated the team total for the women with a total of 260 points. Pennridge was second (150.75), Central Bucks West finished third (147), Central Bucks East took fourth place (132.75), Quakertown finished fifth (98.5), Central Bucks South took sixth place (96), Hatboro-Horsham finished in seventh place (80), and Souderton finished in eighth place (17).
Individual Champions
Central Bucks East Patriots
Devon Broglie – shot put – 36-4.0
Central Bucks South Titans
Taylor Hojnacki – discus – 107-0
Central Bucks West Bucks
4 x 800 relay – 9:08.98
4 x 400 relay – 3:55.66
Jen Comfort – javelin – 118-05
Hatboro-Horsham Hatters
Taylor Williams – 100 meters – 12.24
Pennridge Rams
Tori Gerlach – 3200 meters – 11:01.79
Tori Gerlach – 1600 meters – 5:06.16
4 x 100 relay – 49.81
Anne Holland – high jump – 5-6
Quakertown Panthers
Alicia Evans – 200 meters – 24.78
Alicia Evans – 400 meters – 57.12
Stacey Nagele – pole vault – 10-6
North Penn
Kayla Charles – 100 meter hurdles – 14.8
Kayla Charles – 300 meter hurdles – 46.18
Kayla Charles – long jump – 17-6.0
Heather Selheimer – 800 meters – 2:16.18
Sydnee Jacques – triple jump – 36-03.25
Mens’ Competition
Connor Manley from Central Bucks West was the lone performer to capture a pair of first place finishes in the SOL Continental Conference men’s events. Manley won both the 400 meters (48.71) and the 800 meters (1:55.40).
North Penn dominated the men’s field with a total score of 271 points. CB West finished second (220.5), Hatboro-Horsham took third (124), Pennridge finished fourth (110), Central Bucks South took fifth place (92), CB East finished in sixth place (90.5), Souderton took seventh place (38.6), and Quakertown finished in eighth place (31.5).
Male Individual Champions
Central Bucks East Patriots
Alex Izewski – 1600 meters – 4:18.83
Sean Flemming – discus – 138-08
Central Bucks South Titans
Ryan Hynes – 300 hurdles – 39.16
Central Bucks West Bucks
Matt Sutorius – 15.48
4 x 800 relay – 7:48.08
Dan Ernst – 200 meters – 22.16
Connor Manley – 400 meters – 48.71
Connor Manley – 800 meters – 1:55.40
4 x 100 relay – 42.77
4 x 400 relay – 3:22.86
Hatboro-Horsham Hatters
Tevin Kirby – shot put – 50-6.5
Travis Young – javelin – 155-09
North Penn Knights
Brandon Mercer – 100 meters – 10.99
Jack MaCauley – 3200 meters – 9:36.36
Nick Swan – high jump – 6-3
Trevell Moxey – triple jump – 45-05.75
Dan Gevirtz – long jump – 21-05.0
Dominic Pileggi – pole vault – 14-0
Suburban One League National Conference
Womens’ Competition
The talented Abington duo of Jordan Matthews and Leah Nugent each earned a pair of first place honors in the league championship. Matthews won the 400 meters (57.35) and the long jump, while Nugent won the 100 hurdles (14.09) and the 300 hurdles (43.25)
Zakiyyah Richardson from Pennsbury also won a pair of events. Richardson won both the 100 meters (12.16) and the 200 meters (24.79)
Pennsbury won the conference title with a team total of 206.5 points. Abington finished second (184), Council Rock South finished third (178), Council Rock North finished fourth (138), Neshaminy took fifth place (105), Bensalem took sixth place (70), William Tennent was the seventh place finisher (65), and Truman finished in eighth place (32.5).
Female Individual Champions
Abington Ghosts
Jordan Matthews – 400 meters – 57.35
Jordan Matthews – long jump – 18-9.5
Leah Nugent – 100 hurdles – 14.09
Leah Nugent – 300 hurdles – 43.25
4 x 400 relay – 4:00.97
Bensalem Owls
Tyra Roberts – shot put – 37-10.25
Alita Ostapkovich – discus – 119-0
Council Rock North Indians
Kate Scott – 3200 meters – 11:16.12
Alisha Jordan – triple jump – 36-06.75
Maddy Macfarlane – javelin – 105-0
Council Rock South Golden Hawks
Alex Wheatley – 800 meters – 2:18.48
Kathleen Stewart – 1600 meters – 5:08.40
Amanda Benninghoff – pole vault – 10-6
Taylor Uzdzinski – high jump – 5-2
Pennsbury Falcons
Zakiyyah Richardson – 100 meters – 12.16
Zakiyyah Richardson – 200 meters – 24.79
4 x 100 relay – 49.45
4 x 800 relay – 9:23.37
Mens’ Competition
Council Rock North won five events on the track and four events in the field as the Indians cruised to a decisive victory.
“We had 37 personal bests and 20 district qualifiers in the meet,” said Council Rock North head coach Dave Marrington. “We have a lot of hopes for kids to make it to (the state championships in) Shippensburg.”
Three Indians had nice days in the field events and collected four first place finishes.
Senior John Raymon – headed to Iowa to play football – won both the shot put (48-10.5) and the discus (143-0).
“John threw a personal best in the discus,” said Marrington. “He is an emotional kid – a real good athlete – and a great leader.”
Senior Bobby Perepiczka – headed to Maryland - was the best of the pole vaulters.
“Bobby had a 14-3 at states last year – his personal best,” said Marrington. “He has struggled a little this season, but I think he is back to being himself.”
Senior Matt Birk – headed to Delaware – captured first in the javelin with a meet record throw of 173-10.
“Matt hasn’t lost a meet all season throwing the javelin,” said Marrington. “We feel he has a great shot of going to states.”
Council Rock North won the team title with a dominating total of 286 points. Abington finished a distant second (164), Pennsbury finished in third place (161.5), Council Rock South finished in fourth place (120), Bensalem was fifth (103), William Tennent was sixth (55.5), Neshaminy was seventh (51), and Truman finished eighth (30).
Male Individual Champions
Abington Ghosts
Will Taylor – 400 meters – 49.7
4 x 400 relay – 3:21.05
4 x 800 relay – 7:54.14
Council Rock South Golden Hawks
Mike Spadaro – triple jump – 45-10.0
Michael Doyle – 800 meters – 1:59.18
Council Rock North Indians
Josh Mindlin – 200 meters – 21.89
Chris Campbell – 1600 meters - 4:15.93
Chris Campbell – 3200 meters - 9:32.82
Jeff Krystek – 110 hurdles – 14.78
4 x 100 relay – 42.65
Bobby Perepiczka – pole vault – 13-0
John Raymon – shot put – 48-10.5
John Raymon – discus – 143-0
Matt Birk – javelin – 173-10
Pennsbury Falcons
Leroy Sims – 300 meters – 41.14
Jay Jabat – high jump – 6-4
Jay Jabat – long jump – 22.01.5
Truman Tigers
Paulus Gipla – 10.94
Distinquished Honor Roll
2011 Best Times in the State
Female
Individuals:
Leah Nugent – Abington – 300 hurdles – 43.06
Leah Nugent – Abington – 400 hurdles – 1:02.44
Jordan Matthews – Abington – long jump – 19-1
Tori Gerlach – Pennridge – 3200 meters – 9:40.42
Relays:
Sprint Medley – Central Bucks West – 4:13.93
4 x 100 meters – Cheltenham – 47.87
4 x 400 meters – Abington – 3:47.16
Distance Medley – North Penn – 12:08.51
Male
Individuals:
Drew Magaha – Upper Moreland – 800 meters – 1:52.17
Drew Magaha – Upper Moreland – 1600 meters – 4:13.50
Matt Gilmore – Cheltenham – 400 meters – 48.11
Chris Campbell – Council Rock North – 5000 meters – 15:22.22
Relays:
Distance Medley – Central Bucks South – 10:15.46
4 x 800 meters – Abington – 7:37.79
800 Sprint Medley – Council Rock North – 1:36.80
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