On Tuesday, May 31, 2016, Hatboro-Horsham seniors Matt Allen, Bobby Gablein and Connor Irwin were recognized for committing to continue their track careers at the collegiate level. To view photos of the signings, please visit the Photo Gallery.
“These three guys are great individuals,” coach Mike Mahoney said. “They represent what it means to be a true student-athlete. These guys aren’t just great athletes. On top of that, they’re great students, they’re great leaders, they’ve been great captains of this team, and above all, they’re just three great young men. It’s been a pleasure to coach them the last three years.
“Being a young coach, a new coach, having three strong leaders my first few years – guys who show up to practice, work their butts off, listen to all their coaches and have had success because of it has set the bar high. The success of the program in the future is a direct result of (their) hard work and dedication to the program.”
Matt Allen – Quinnipiac University (Track/Cross Country)
Major: Film, Television and Media Arts
Final list of colleges: Quinnipiac, Ithaca
Reasons for choosing Quinnipiac: “Mainly the official visit when I got to see what the team was like and what it really felt like to be a student there.”
What was the progression that led you to competing in track and cross country at the collegiate level? “At first, it was just a possibility, and then I realized it’s such a big part of my life and I wanted to continue with it in college. I felt like I needed to keep doing it to feel like I was still a (complete) person.”
Coach Mike Mahoney says: “Matt had a great cross country season – he led the team in almost every meet. We had a great season. It was the best record we’ve had in five years, going 5-2. Matt qualified for states individually in cross country. Then he had to deal with some asthmatic issues, but he’s a great kid and a great leader of this team.”
About Matt:
Favorite food: Pizza
Favorite movie: Ferris Bueller’s Day Off
Favorite music: Pop
Bobby Gablein – Bucknell University (Track)
Major: Undecided
Final list of colleges: Bucknell, Davidson, University of New Hampshire
Reasons for choosing Bucknell: “After contacting the coach and visiting the campus and meeting the other athletes, it felt very comfortable. It felt like home, and I knew this is where I wanted to spend the next four years of my future.”
What was the progression that led you to competing in track at the collegiate level? “My freshman year of high school, one of the fathers talked to me and introduced me to club track to become more competitive and to be recruited by colleges. That’s when it really started, so I ran and I saw how well I progressed, and I knew if I stayed serious with it I could go a lot further with it.”
Coach Mike Mahoney says: “Bobby is a great kid. He comes to practice every day and works his butt off. He’s the leader of the sprints group. Each year the sprints group has gotten better and better as long as he’s been a member of the team.”
About Bobby:
Favorite food: Qdoba
Favorite movie: Race
Favorite music: Rap/Hip Hop
Connor Irwin – Moravian College (Track/Cross Country)
Major: Political Science
Final list of colleges: Moravian, Shippensburg, Adams State
Reasons for choosing Moravian: “Initially, what attracted me to the school was the coach sent me a letter that was handwritten, and that stood out from the rest. When I ended up visiting, I really liked the campus.”
What was the progression that led you to competing in track and cross country at the collegiate level? “Junior year when I started to progress more as an athlete and realized that I had more potential, I wanted to compete at the collegiate level.”
Coach Mike Mahoney says: “Connor battled injuries in the fall as a senior and didn’t have the cross country season he wanted to have, but he bounced back. He was a two-time district qualifier in the two-mile, qualified again this year. He got himself on the top 10 board at our school for the two-mile. His resiliency is very strong, and he’s a great kid.”
About Connor:
Favorite food: Chipotle
Favorite movie: Shawshank Redemption
Favorite music: Wu-Tang Clan
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