Scott Huff highlights some of the SOL’s top performers heading into this weekend’s District One meet.
By Scott Huff
Cheltenham senior Kayla Coley might have a blue ‘C’ emblazoned on the front of her uniform, but the brilliant hurdler has an enormous red bulls eye on her back as she prepares for the upcoming District One championships to be held this weekend at Coatesville High School.
“Any time that you have the best times, athletes put that target on your back,” said Coley who enters the district with the best times in both the 100-meter hurdles (13.78) and the 300-meter hurdles (42.91). “And in a race like the hurdles, anything can really happen. You could hit a hurdle – it doesn’t take much to cost you a race. All of that work you have done for months can be lost in a second.
“But to me, that is the beauty of the event,” continued Coley. “I look at it as exciting – it doesn’t make me nervous. I enjoy the competition. When you are the best, it is a motivation to work harder and perform better.”
“Kayla has worked extremely hard for four seasons now, and it is going to be a tough two weeks,” said Cheltenham head coach Kelly Jensen. “Right now, Kayla is the best around. But you can’t rest on your laurels in districts or states. There is a lot of talent out there.”
Jensen dipped into the Coley talent pool to land himself a long jumper this year. Coley will jump in districts and finished with the ninth best jump in the district with a leap of 17-5.25.
“Kayla is a raw talent who has helped us out in the dual meets and league championships,” said Jensen. “She has an amazing amount of power and speed for someone who has little experience in the event.”
“Actually, this was the first year that I ever long jumped,” said Coley. “I really focus most of my time in practice on the hurdles, but I enjoy the competition.”
Coley will take that competitive spirit to the collegiate level next season, as she will attend Texas Tech University. Coley also visited the University of Kentucky, the University of Mississippi, North Carolina A & T, and Morgan State.
“Texas Tech was almost my last visit, and I loved it there,” said Coley. “All I knew is that I wanted to run somewhere down south. It was a tough decision, but I am really happy with it.”
And next year Coley will run with a red TTU on her uniform – and most likely with the same red bulls eye on her back.
The Suburban One League boasts quite a few favorites as the acknowledged best track and field district in the state – District One - determines district team and individual champions.
The following is a list of the # 1 ranked individuals/teams in the Women’s Division going into districts:
- Kayla Coley – Cheltenham – 100 meter hurdles (13.78)
- Kayla Coley – Cheltenham – 300 meter hurdles (42.91)
- Jody-Ann Evans – Quakertown – 100 meters (11.99)
- Jody-Ann Evans – Quakertown – 200 meters (24.69)
- Rowanna Watson – Norristown – 200 meters (24.69)
- Marissa Sheva – Pennridge – 800 meters (2:14.01)
- Marissa Sheva – Pennridge – 1600 meters (4:50.24)
- Shannon Taub – Council Rock South – High Jump (5-5)
- Amanda Benninghoff – Council Rock South – Pole Vault (12-4)
- Uchechi Onucha – Pennsbury – Triple Jump (37-11.75)
- Taylor Hojnacki – Central Bucks South – Discus (135-0)
- Cait Mautz – Central Bucks West – Javelin (141-0)
- Cheltenham – 4 x 100 relay (47.44)
- Central Bucks West – 4 x 400 relay (3:50.12)
The following is a list of top ranked SOL performers in the Women’s Division going into districts: - Pennsbury – 4 x 800 relay (9:10.39) – 2nd
- Tyra Roberts – Bensalem - Shot Put (42-8) – 2nd
- Veronica Eder – Central Bucks East – 3200 meters (10:49.23) – 3rd
- Ariana Przybylowski – Pennridge – Long Jump (18-3.25) – 3rd
- Jamila Branch – Central Bucks West – 400 meters (56.61) – 4th
The Pennsbury men’s team is sending a wonderful 4 x 100 relay to districts at Coatesville as the Falcons have registered a District One best time of 41.79.
“Can we go faster? I think so,” said Pennsbury head coach Tim Cass. “Can we be state champions? If we run a perfect race. This has been an incredible relay, and we are focused on being one of the best relays in the state.”
Charles Snorweah runs the lead leg for the Falcons, followed by Anthony Bullaro, Montel Johnson, and Francis JaJua.
Bullaro will also be featured in both the 110 and 300 hurdles where he is second only to nationally ranked Zaza Wellington of Garnet Valley.
“Wellington is ranked second or third nationally,” said Cass. “But Anthony is out to prove that he can compete with the best in the country. He is such a great kid.
“This is such a great time of year,” added Cass. “I can’t wait to see what happens this weekend.”
The following is a list of # 1 ranked individual/teams in the Men’s Division going into districts:
- Jeffrey Wiseman – Council Rock South – 800 meters (1:52.72)
- Renard Howell – Neshaminy – 100 meters (10.64)
- Renard Howell – Neshaminy – 200 meters (21.28)
- Horace Spencer – William Tennent – High Jump – 6-8
- Vincent Esposito – North Penn – Pole Vault – 14-6
- Nkosi Jones – Wissahickon – Long Jump (23-3)
- Pennsbury – 4 x 100 relay (41.79)
- Wissahickon – 4 x 400 relay (3:16.76)
- Bensalem – 4 x 800 relay (7:47.94)
The following is a list of top ranked SOL performers in the Men’s Division going into districts: - Anthony Bullaro – Pennsbury – 110 meter hurdles (14.53) – 2nd
- Anthony Bullaro – Pennsbury – 300 hurdles (38.90) – 2nd
- Ohyle Elijah – Bensalem – 400 meters (48.16) – 2nd
- Ross Wilson – Council Rock North – 3200 meters (9:08.16) – 2nd
- Jared Alston – North Penn – Triple Jump (45-10) – 2nd
- Kyle Francis – Bensalem – 1600 meters (4:16.34) – 3rd
- Robert Walker – Abington – Discus (149-5) – 5th
- Paul Sommerville – Cheltenham – Shot Put (50-10.25) – 6th
- Sean Locke – Hatboro-Horsham – Javelin (170-01) – 9th
Suburban One-League Conference Championships
The 2013 outdoor season for the Suburban One League is in the record books, and on the Women’s ledger are conference titles for Pennsbury (SOL National), North Penn (SOL Continental), and Cheltenham (SOL American). And on the Men’s ledger are conferences championships for Pennsbury (SOL National), North Penn (SOL Continental), and Cheltenham (SOL American).
How about that?
The closest of the championship races in the Women’s Division came in the SOL Continental Conference as North Penn (179 points) held off both Pennridge (178) and Central Bucks West (177) by the narrowest of margins. The remainder of the conference included Central Bucks East (149), Central Bucks South (128), Souderton (85), Quakertown (68), and Hatboro-Horsham (16).
The most comfortable margin of victory in the Women’s Division came in the SOL National Conference with Pennsbury (235.5) a clear winner over both Council Rock South (189.5) and Neshaminy (152). The remainder of the conference included Council Rock North (144), Bensalem (80), Abington (70), William Tennent (33), and Truman (31).
Also in the Women’s Division, Cheltenham (221) earned its SOL American title with a solid victory over both Wissahickon (109.5) and Upper Dublin (104). The remainder of the conference included Upper Merion (91.5), Norristown (60), Plymouth Whitemarsh (53), Upper Moreland (42), and Springfield (8).
Below are listed the respective Women’s SOL conference individual and relay champions – listed by event in the order of best time, jump, or throw.
SOL Women’s Results
100 Meters
Jody-Ann Evans (Quakertown) – 11.99
Rowanna Watson (Norristown) – 12.04
Dasia Pressley (Neshaminy) – 12.42
200 Meters
Jody-Ann Evans (Quakertown) – 24.69
Dasia Pressley (Neshaminy) – 24.77
Rowanna Watson (Norristown) – 24.84
400 Meters
Nini Rogers (Pennsbury) – 57.01
Jamila Branch (CB West) – 57.26
Rohwanna Smith (Upper Merion) – 59.32
800 Meters
Marissa Sheva (Pennridge) – 2:14.01
Sara Sargent (Pennsbury) – 2:14.84
Hannah Gilliam (Cheltenham) – 2:16.02
1600 Meters
Sara Sargent (Pennsbury) – 4:59.57
Marissa Sheva (Pennridge) – 5:02.05
Lotte Black (Wissahickon) – 5:27.86
3200 Meters
Veronica Eder (CB East) – 10:49.22
Kate Scott (Council Rock North) – 11:21.68
Brittany Finn (Upper Moreland) – 11:54.15
110 Hurdles
Kayla Coley (Cheltenham) – 13.78
Sydnee Jacques (North Penn) – 14.91
Uchechi Onuoha (Pennsbury) – 15.27
300 Hurdles
Kayla Coley (Cheltenham) – 42.91
Uchechi Onuoha (Pennsbury) – 45.80
Julia Patterson (CB West) – 45.89
4 x 100 Relay
Central Bucks South – 48.51
Cheltenham – 48.70
Neshaminy – 49.34
4 x 400 Relay
Central Bucks West – 3:52.58
Pennsbury – 3:59.56
Wissahickon – 4:03.92
4 x 800 Relay
Pennsbury – 9:16.72
Central Bucks South – 9:20.84
Upper Merion – 9:35.83
Pole Vault
Amanda Benninghoff (Council Rock South) – 12-4
Anecia Alexaki (Upper Merion) 10-6
Victoria Finley (North Penn) 10-3
High Jump
Victoria Matthews (Abington) 5-4
Grace Becker (CB East) – 5-1
Beth Chamberlain (Wissahickon)
Long Jump
Ariana Przbylowski (Pennridge) – 18-3.25
Jessica Stecklein (Neshaminy) – 17-6.75
Kayla Coley (Cheltenham) – 17-4.5
Triple Jump
Uchechi Onuoha (Pennsbury) 37-11.75
Emily Duseiller (Souderton) – 36-10
Darneesha LaCroix (Cheltenham) – 35-9.25
Discus
Taylor Hojnacki (Central Bucks South) – 135-0
Mecca Smith (Cheltenham) – 113-0
Amelia Ali (Bensalem) – 105-0
Javelin
Cait Mautz (CB West) - 141-0
Jenna Anderson (Upper Merion) – 105-4
Ashida Cooper (Bensalem) – 104-8
Shot Put
Tyra Roberts (Bensalem) – 40-9
Taylor Hojnacki (CB South) – 40-6
Essen Milligan-Williams (Norristown) – 35-9.75
The closest of the championship races in the SOL Conference Men’s Divisioncame in the National Conference as Pennsbury (198.33) edged both Bensalem (186) and Neshaminy (182.33) for the title. The remainder of the conference included Council Rock North (129.33), Council Rock South (118), William Tennent (93), Abington (71), and Truman (21).
The most comfortable margin of victory came in the SOL American Conference where Cheltenham (197) bested both Wissahickon (160) and Upper Dublin (123). The remainder of the conference included Springfield (54), Upper Merion (49), Norristown (47), Plymouth Whitemarsh (40), and Upper Moreland (29).
North Penn (242) was a clear winner over both Pennridge (215) and Central Bucks West (135) in the SOL Continental Conference. The remainder of the conference included Central Bucks South (118.5), Central Bucks East (83), Hatboro-Horsham (77), Souderton (63.5), and Quakertown (41).
Below is the respective SOL Men’s Division individual and relay champions – listed by eventin order of time, jump, or throw.
SOL Men’s Results
100 Meters
Mark Thompson (Cheltenham) – 10.76
Renard Howell (Neshaminy) – 10.85
Vince Thompson (Central Bucks East) – 11:07
200 Meters
Renard Howell (Neshaminy) – 21.28
Mark Thompson (Cheltenham) – 21.56
Vince Thompson (CB East) – 21.99
400 Meters
Ohyle Elijah (Bensalem) – 48.16
Dave Stellato (Wissahickon) – 49.07
Riley Gaibler (North Penn) – 49.57
800 Meters
Brad Rivera (Bensalem) – 1:55.63
Joey Logue (Pennridge) – 1:56.51
John Lewis (Cheltenham) – 1:56.79
1600 Meters
Kyle Francis (Bensalem) – 4:16.34
Connor Quinn (Hatboro-Horsham) – 4:21.78
Austin Cooper (Upper Merion) – 4:25.04
3200 Meters
Ross Wilson (Council Rock North) – 9:21.45
Chris Berry (Central Bucks West) – 9:40.47
Francis Feruzzi (Upper Dublin) – 9:58.54
110 Meter Hurdles
Anthony Bullaro (Pennsbury) – 14.61
Reshine Jackson (Upper Dublin) – 14.92
Shawn Young (Central Bucks West) – 15.09
300 Meter Hurdles
Colby Trauger (Pennridge) – 39.4
Anthony Bullaro (Pennsbury) – 39.5
Jequon Mitchell (Upper Merion) – 39.7
4 x 100 Relay
Cheltenham – 42.05
Neshaminy – 42.27
North Penn – 43.02
4 x 400 Relay
Pennsbury – 3:18.79
Wissahickon – 3:20.57
Central Bucks West – 3:21.23
4 x 800 Relay
Bensalem – 7:49.33
Pennridge – 7:53.23
Cheltenham – 7:54.66
Pole Vault
Andrew McGinty (William Tennent) – 13-6
Bob McIntosh (Central Bucks South) – 13-6
Chris Stone (Springfield) – 13-0
High Jump
Horace Spencer (William Tennent) – 6-8
Ishmael Wright (Quakertown) – 6-6
Chris Stone (Springfield) – 6-6
Long Jump
Nkosi Jones (Wissahickon) – 23-3
Chris Spadaro (Council Rock South) – 21-10.25
Daniel Boardman (North Penn) – 21-8.5
Triple Jump
Jared Alston (North Penn) – 45-10.75
D’Andre Pollard (Neshaminy) – 45-3
Nkosi Jones (Wissahickon) – 44-8.5
Discus
Andrew Varichione (Quakertown) – 149-04
Paul Sommerville (Cheltenham) – 147-0
Robert Walker (Abington) – 146-11
Javelin
Chris Stone (Springfield) – 171-7
Sean Locke (Hatboro-Horsham) – 170-01
Robert Walker (Abington) – 144-9
Shot Put
John Molnar (Hatboro-Horsham) – 52.2.75
Ric Duncan-Murphy (Bensalem) – 48-2.25
Paul Sommerville (Cheltenham) – 44-1.5
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