Scott Huff features a CR South’s Amanda Benninghoff and Norristown’s Jalen Ramsey and also recaps the top SOL performers. To view photos of the SOL athletes in action at the Penn Relays, please visit the Photo Gallery.
By Scott Huff
The Penn Relays have been going on for 118 years, and for a pair of Suburban One League athletes, the 2012 edition of the event will be a memorable one.
Council Rock South junior Amanda Benninghoff finished eighth in the pole vault with a vault of 11-9.75. Benninghoff has a personal best of 12-3 which she recorded in a recent dual meet with Abington, and has gone 12-8 in practice.
“I was a little disappointed with my performance,” said Benninghoff. “I was nervous and I struggled with some of my jumps at the lower heights. Plus there was a long wait between jumps, and I got a little anxious. But I am really looking forward to the rest of the spring season with districts and states coming up.”
Despite her ‘disappointing’ performance at the Penn Relays, Benninghoff clearly had the best effort in District One. The winner of the Penn Relays was Larisa Debich of Hempfield High School from Greensburg, Pennsylvania. Debich cleared 12-5.5 in her winning effort.
“I have competed against her in states before, and we are friends on Facebook,” said Benninghoff. “I have to put the Penn Relays behind me and get ready for what is ahead.”
Benninghoff was able to connect with Council Rock South alum Tori Worthen in the infield at the Penn Relays. Worthen – who competes in the pole vault for Princeton University – is the daughter of Golden Hawk pole vault coach Ken Worthen.
“It was great for Amanda to be able to talk with Tori down at the Penn Relays,” said Council Rock head coach Deric Lynch. “Tori is a five-time Ivy League champion as a junior and has given Amanda some high school goals to shoot for.
“Tori jumped 12-6 in the districts and 12-10 for a personal best,” added Lynch. “Ken has done a great job working with Amanda and is responsible for her success. I get to be a cheerleader at both districts and states.”
“Tori was able to give me some good feedback when we met,” said Benninghoff. “She has worked with me when she isn’t at school, and I hope to use her advice to make me better.”
Benninghoff has attracted Division One attention and has already visited Penn State, Lehigh, Lafayette, and Villanova.
“I liked all of my visits so far, but I’m not close to making any decision,” said Benninghoff. “I plan on making some trips down south before I make a final choice.”
“I am very happy with the progression that Amanda has made this year,” said Lynch. “We are right on course to do well in both districts and states.”
Norristown senior Jalen Ramsey finished fourth in the high jump at the Penn Relays with a leap of 6-7.75 – a career best for the high flying Eagle.
“Jalen is a great kid and is a tremendous competitor,” said Norristown head coach Miles Burrell. “We really feel that he is capable of going 6-10 – maybe 7 feet. And now that we have home facilities, he should be able to work more on both his marks and technique.”
Norristown has had to contend without practice facilities for some field events due to the completion of its spanking new track and field/football facility. And the high jump was among those facilities that were not available – until now.
“Jalen had to work with (high jump coach) Milt Williams at a clinic – mostly on Sundays,” said Burrell. “Jalen did most of his jumping at meets, and with districts and states coming up we expect some nice improvement. We hope that he can attract some attention from colleges.”
Ramsey did not compete in the high jump until the beginning of his junior year – now he is one of the best in the area.
How about…
Upper Moreland senior Drew Magaha running his personal best in the mile with a clocking of 4:12.74 at the Penn Relays. Magaha placed fourth and bested his personal best time by 6.23 seconds.
Upper Dublin senior Taylor Morgan equaling her personal best in the high jump with a leap of 5-8. Morgan placed third in the event at the Penn Relays.
Pennridge senior Tori Gerlach finishing second in the 3000 meters at the Penn Relays. Her time of 9:42.92 was just off her personal best time by 2.5 seconds.
North Penn senior Meghan McGovern finishing fifth in the Penn Relays in the 3000 meters. McGovern’s time of 9:46.30 was a personal best for the Maiden runner.
Penn Relay Snapshots
Thursday
3000 Meters ***** Winning Time – 9:37.86 – Sophie Chase – Burke (Virginia)
(2) Tori Gerlach – Pennridge – 9:42.92
(5) Meghan McGovern – North Penn – 9:46.30
Mile ***** Winning Time – 4:39.63 – Mary Cain – Bronxville (New York)
(14) Sara Sargent – Pennsbury – 5:03.63
400 Hurdles ***** Winning Time – 59.05 – Alexis Franklin – Millersville (Maryland)
(18) Kayla Coley – Cheltenham – 65.85
Javelin ***** Winning Throw – 154-11 – Christine Streisel – Tamaqua (Pennsylvania)
(15) Bridget Coffey – North Penn – 118-6
Pole Vault ***** Winning Vault – 12-5.5 – Larisa Debich – Greensburg (Pennsylvania)
(8) Amanda Benninghoff – Council Rock South – 11-9.75
Long Jump ***** Winning jump – 19-5.25 – Chanice Porter – Manchester (Jamaica)
(11) Jordan Matthews – Abington – 17-10.75
Discus ***** Winning Throw – 167-4 – Danniel Thomas – Clarendon (Jamaica)
(12) Taylor Hojanacki – Central Bucks South – 121-1
High Jump ***** Winning Jump – 6-0 – Kim Williamson – Clarendon (Jamaica)
(3) Taylor Morgan – Upper Dublin – 5-8
Suburban One National 4 x 400 Relay
(1) Central Bucks West – [Lizanne Furst, Courtney Taylor, Kelsey Horst, & Jamila Branch] – 3:53.20
Suburan One American 4 x 400 Relay
(1) Cheltenham – [Francine Marquis, Hannah Gilliam, Cira Leoriard, & Kayla Coley] – 3:58.15
Friday
Mile ***** Winning Time – 4:09.42 – Craig Engers – Pffaffown (North Carolina)
(4) Drew Magaha – Upper Moreland – 4:12.74
3000 Meters ***** Winning Time – 8:25.54 – Thomas Madden – Front Royal (Virginia)
(15) Sam Hibbs – Hatboro-Horsham – 8:41.19
Shot Put ***** Winning Throw – 68-8.5 – Braheme Days – Bridgeton (New Jersey)
(14) Tevin Kirby – Hatboro-Horsham – 52-2.5
4 x 800 Relay ***** Winning Time – 7:52.69 – Wood River Junction (Rhode Island)
(2) Pennridge – [Austin Kohler, Joe Masgai, Nick Stenderowicz, & Joey Logue] – 7:53.34
(14) Central Bucks West – [Eric Zolleski, Austin Kline, Ben Smith, & Nico Metzler] – 8:12.52
4 x 100 Relay ***** Winning Time – Wolmer’s Boys – Kingston (Jamacia)
(11) – Neshaminy – [Bryan Reice, Austin Gardener, Ryan DePinto, & Cody Minnig] – 42.63
(14) – Pennsbury – [Adam Lewis, Anthony Bullaro, Sam Peterson, & Francis Jujua] – 42.90
(20) – Central Bucks South – [Taylor Berkeley, Jim Gannon, Nico Scipione, & Ryan Hynes] – 43.31
4 x 100 Relay (girls) ***** Winning Time – 47.82 – Central Dauphin East (Pennsylvania)
(5) Pennridge – [Taylor Chapman, Ariama Przblowski, Casey O’Brien, & Natalia Pinkney] – 48.95
Distance Medley Relay – Winning Time – 10:07.76 – St. Benedict’s Prep (New Jersey)
(7) North Penn – [Chris Trimble, Matt Ross, Misha Khodak, & Jack MacCauley] – 10:20.40
Saturday
Triple Jump ***** Winning Jump – 50-0 -Anaquan Peterson – Suffolk (Virginia)
(11) Harley LaCroix – Cheltenham – 46-1.5
Pole Vault ***** Winning Vault – 16-4.75 – Michael Jensen – Middletown (Delaware)
(9) Corey Smith – Central Bucks West – 14-9
High Jump ***** Winning Jump – 6-11.5 – Christoff Bryan – Kingston (Jamacia)
(4) Jalen Ramsey – Norristown – 6-7.75
High School Boys – Large Schools – 4 x 100 Relay **** Winning Time 42.75
(3) Neshaminy – [Bryan Reice, Austin Gardener, Ryan DePinto, & Cody Minning] – 42.62
(6) Pennsbury – [Adam Lewis, Anthony Bullaro, Sam Peterson, & Francis JuJua] – 43.50
High School Girls 4 x 100 Tri-State Relay – Winning Time – 47.64 – CD East
(4) Pennridge – [Taylor Chapman, Ariana Przblowski, Casey O’Brien, & Natalia Pinkney] – 48.37
(6) Norristown – [Rowie Watson, Alexis Bell, Delshirah Culbreath, & Zayna Milligan] – 48.85
High School Boys 4 x 800 Championship of America – Winning Time – 7:39.73 – Chantilly (Virginia)
(11) Pennridge – [Austin Kohler, Joe Masgai, Nick Stenerowicz, & Joey Logue] – 8:00.92
High School Girls 4 x 400 Relay – Philadelphia Area
(1) Central Bucks West – [Lizanne Furst, Courtney Taylor, Kelsey Horst, & Jamila Branch] – 3:52.51
(2) Pennsbury – [Uche Oneoha, Husiniyyah Rogers, Sara Sargent, & Zakiyyah Richardson] – 3:53.51
(6) Abington – [Jordan Matthews, Ashley Spraggins, Rachel Strothers, & Vicki Matthews] – 3:58.53
(9) Central Bucks East – [Dara Lindsay, Kelly Knauer, Melanie Caine, & Miranda Meehan] – 4:00.93
(11) Cheltenham – [Francine Marquis, Hannah Gilliam, Ciara Leonard, & Kayla Coley] – 3:05.83
High School Boys – SOL National – 4 x 400 Relay
(1) Bensalem – [Kerron Holley, Brad Rivera, Armand Cox-Finn, & Ohyle Elijah] – 3:20.58
High School Boys – SOL American – 4 x 400 Relay
(1) Wissahickon – [Max Hairston, Sam Brooks, Cornell Dixon, & Dave Stellato] – 3:21.63
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