Scott Huff highlights some of the recent track highlights in his weekly notebook.
By Scott Huff
One is the loneliest number – Three Dog Night
This iconic classic rock song has some vague connection with Central Bucks South sophomore discus thrower Taylor Hojnacki who is the one and only thrower on the entire Lady Titan track and field team. And a magnificent one at that – one that has earned a coveted invitation to the Penn Relays next weekend at the University of Pennsylvania.
“Sometimes it gets a little lonely, and sometimes I end up practicing with the boys,” said Honjnacki. “I focus on trying to get better, and I take the time practice what I have been taught by my coaches.”
“Taylor is extremely dedicated, and practicing by herself most days hasn’t stopped her from improving,” said Central Bucks South head coach Rachel Beck. “I work with her on getting herself ready with warm-ups, but most of what she works on comes from her off-site coaching.”
That coaching staff consists of Scott Menin and Brian Wethey who has continued the refinement of Hojnacki who began her throwing career in the seventh grade at the middle school level. Her first ‘coach’ was brother Dustin who threw for the Titans during his high school years.
“Dustin worked hard with me at the beginning with the basics,” said Honjnacki. “I learned a lot from him, but I still have a lot to learn with technique. Being able to make the Penn Relays was kind of a shock, but I want to be able to compete at that level.”
“Taylor throws in each of the events for us, she went to states in the shot, but discus is without question her main event,” said Beck. “She is always willing to learn – always willing to work – and nothing seems to stop her.”
Not even practicing on her own lonely self on a daily basis.
Taylor Hojnacki stat sheet – Personal Bests – (1) Discus 124-1; (2) Javelin 62-4; and (3) Shot Put 37-6.50.
Top Hatters
There will be a pair of Hatboro-Horsham seniors – one on the track and one in the field – that will represent the Hatters in the Penn Relays @ Franklin Field on Philadelphia. Sam Hibbs will take to the track in the 3000 meters, while Tevin Kirby will take to the circle in the shot put.
“Sam is one of four brothers who have been distance runners here, and he has worked extremely hard to earn his goal of running in the Penn Relays,” said Hatboro-Horsham head coach DJ Fromal. “Sam has been running non-stop for two years with the ultimate goal of running on the big stage in the Penn Relays.
“He understood what it was going to take in order to run on the big stage, he spent a lot of time running on his own against the clock,” added Fromal. “He has overcome some nagging injuries his junior year, but he pushed himself to the point of where he was going to be able to compete against the some of the elite competition in the country.
“He doesn’t come into the meet as one of the runners with the best times,” continued Fromal. “But I sure wouldn’t count him out.”
Sam Hibbs stat sheet – Personal Bests – (1) 1500 meters – 4:13.39; (2) 3000 meters – 8:45.78; (3) 5000 meters – 15:24.21; (4) 1600 meters – 4:21.29; (5) Mile – 4:26.38; and (6) Two-Mile – 9:26.62.
Tevin Kirby has continued to impress within the discus circle.
“There are two types of discus throwers – gliders and spinners,” said Fromal of the 6-foot, 235-pound athlete. “Tevin has great agility and is one of the best gliders around. He has great quickness with his feet and in his upper body. He is an extremely hard worker, and he is beginning to see all of that hard work pay off.
“Everyone who knows Tevin knows that he is going to be at his best performing on the big stage,” added Fromal. “He is a chaser – whether it is a school record – a state medal – or a medal at the Penn Relays. I’m certain that he is both mentally ready and excited for his opportunity to participate in the Penn Relays.”
Tevin Kirby stat sheet – Personal Bests – (1) discus – 124-1; (2) shot put – 55-9.25.
Both Hibbs and Kirby will continue to perform at the college level. Hibbs is on his way to Liberty University, while Kirby is on the road to Monmouth University.
“Liberty has a great reputation for distance runners, and Monmouth is known for its reputation with throwers,” said Fromal. “Both Sam and Tevin made great choices.”
News & Notes
Central Bucks West pole vaulter Corey Smith broke his own record with a vault of 15-feet, 1-inch in the Bucks 87-63 dual meet win over Central Bucks East.
North Penn’s Jared Alston was impressive with three wins in the Knights dual meet win over Central Bucks South. Alston won the 300 hurdles (41.4), the 110 hurdles (15.8), and the triple jump (43-5). Central Bucks South standout Ryan Hynes set a personal best with a leap of 22-5.75 in the long jump and broke the tape first in the 100 meters (10.9) in the dual meet with North Penn.
Wissahickon’s Ebony Grasty was a three-time winner for the Trojans as Wissahickon bested Upper Moreland in a dual meet this week. Grasty took first place in the triple jump (35-4), the 300 hurdles (48.1), and the 100 hurdles (16.0).
The ‘Best of’ Invitational Results
Saturday – April 14, 2012
Lady Skins Invitational – Neshaminy
1600 meters – Meghan McGovern – North Penn – 4:57.27
300 hurdles – Paige McDowell – CB South – 45.46
300 hurdles – Kelly Knauer – CB East – 46.32
300 hurdles – Sydnee Jacques – North Penn – 46.36
3200 meters – Veronica Eder – CB East – 11:07.51
4 x 800 relay – Pennsbury – 9:25.62
4 x 800 relay – CB South – 9:28.92|
800 meters – Sara Sargent – Pennsbury – 2:16.24
800 meters – Meghan McGovern – North Penn – 2:19.17
Long jump – Jordan Matthews – Abington – 17-11.75
Triple jump- Sydnee Jacques – North Penn – 36-8.5
42nd Annual TFCA of GP (Coatesville) Spring Invitational
400 meters – Cornell Dixon – Wissahickon – 49.03
400 meters – Dave Stellato – Wissahickon – 49.35
4 x 400 relay – Wissahickon – 3:22.12
800 meters – Drew Magaha – Upper Moreland – 1:51.74
800 meters – Austin Kohler – Pennridge – 1:54.88
800 meters – Sam Brooks – Wissahickon – 1:57.00
Distance medley relay – North Penn – 10:17.83
Long jump – Harley LaCroix – Cheltenham – 22-8.75
Pole Vault – Corey Smith – CB West – 14-6
Shot Put – John Garland – North Penn – 52-3.5
Shot Put – Tevin Kirby – Hatboro-Horsham – 53-3.5
Triple jump – Harley LaCroix – Cheltenham – 47-1.5
2nd Annual Bensalem Invitational
1600 meters – Connor Harriman – Pennsbury – 4:18.79
1600 meters – James Zingarini – Council Rock North – 4:21.42
300 hurdles – Paul Wahlman – Council Rock North – 38.87
3200 meters – Mac Emery – Council Rock North – 9:26.75
4 x 800 relay – Bensalem – 8:03.11
Suburban One League Invitational Schedules
Friday/Saturday
Friday – Abington Invitational
Abington Ghosts
Bensalem Owls
Hatboro-Horsham Hatters
Norristown Eagles
Upper Dublin Flying Cardinals
Upper Moreland Golden Bears
Friday – West Chester Henderson Invitational
Cheltenham Panthers
North Penn Knights
Saturday – Central Bucks West Relays
Central Bucks East Patriots
Central Bucks South Titans
Central Bucks West Bucks
Council Rock North Indians
Council Rock South Golden Hawks
Neshaminy Redskins
North Penn Knights
Pennridge Rams
Pennsbury Falcons
Quakertown Panthers
William Tennent Panthers
Saturday – Wissahickon American Conference Relays
Norristown Eagles
Wissahickon Trojans
Upper Moreland Golden Bears
Upper Merion Vikings
Upper Dublin Flying Cardinals
Cheltenham Panthers
Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials
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