Scott Huff highlights several SOL American Conference athletes and lists last week’s national elite performances.
By Scott Huff
Cheltenham freshman Chanel Brissett has competed just twice in the 100 hurdles – and the brilliant Panther newcomer has already recorded the third fastest time in the state.
“I came to her recently and talked with her about becoming a hurdler,” said Cheltenham head coach Kelly Jensen. “She bought into it right away, and with her speed and athletic ability, she is going to be a great one. There is a lot of talent there.
“Once she becomes more comfortable with the mechanics, she is going to continue to get better and better,” added Jensen. “Chanel is both quick and powerful – has a tremendous amount of both physical and mental ability – and is extremely coachable. She has a great sense of humor and is a pleasure to work with every day.”
Brissett was already a force to be reckoned with in both the 100 and 200 meters where she has run national standard elite times this season. And Brissett is also a force on the tremendous Panther relay teams.
“Chanel came to us with a tremendous reputation in the youth track program,” said Jensen. “But right now she is competing with girls that are two and three years older than her. It is going to take some maturity on her part to continue to get better, but there is no doubt that the maturity will come.
“Ciara Leonard is a junior who has had great success and acts as a mentor to Chanel,” continued Jensen. “They both work together very well. It is great to see.”
And Jensen will get three more years to take in the breathtaking view of Chanel Brissett.
Upper Moreland junior Tyler Whitmore is a team player in a sport that promotes individual performance.
“Tyler really enjoys that team aspect of track and field,” said Upper Moreland head coach Craig Polakoff. “I don’t think Tyler would do track if it was just for him. He loves to be a part of the relay teams, and he will do whatever it takes to help a teammate.”
Whitmore not only excels on the track – but also is an outstanding football player for the Golden Bears in the fall.
“He is a sprinter and that translates better to football then it does to cross country,” said Polakoff. “And once football is over, he moves right along to both winter and spring track. He is great in the 100 and 200 and he can also be great in the 400.
“Tyler has matured quite a bit from the time he was a freshman,” continued Polakoff. “He has great closing ability and is an extremely strong finisher. In the relays he runs a great anchor and can run people down.”
To date, Whitmore has run terrific national elite times in both the 200 meters (21.99) and the 400 meters (48.13).
“There is no question that he can run at the state level outdoors,” said Polakoff. “The more refinement he gets in his running – the more success he will achieve.”
Stay tuned.
Springfield freshman Syndi Stovall also has her better days ahead of her.
“Syndi comes from a strong family track background,” said Springfield head coach Chris Mazurek. “Her character is outstanding and she loves to both run and train. She is a great student and is super nice. Syndi will continue to grow both mentally and physically.”
Stovall – who captured first place in the Jack Armstrong Invitational run at Abington on Wednesday (4/16/14) in the 1600 meters with a time of 5:33.47 – was a state qualifier this year during the winter track season.
“Our goal this year is be one of the final 12 runners running for a state championship,” said Mazurek. “There is quite a bit of competition at the AA level this year, but Syndi has the ability to be among that final group. She is still very inexperienced at the varsity level and is still learning. But that will all change as the year goes on. We expect that have both a healthy and happy year.”
National Elite Performances Last Week
Jack Armstrong Invitational (Abington)
Ciara Leonard (Cheltenham) – 100 hurdles [14.06]
Chanel Brissett (Cheltenham) – 100 meters [ 12.15]
Chanel Brissett (Cheltenham) – 200 meters [24.9]
Leonard (Cheltenham) – 300 hurdles [44.66]
Victoria Brewer (Bensalem) – 800 meters [2:19.10]
Dominque Franco (CR South) – Pole Vault [10-6]
Megan Penecale (Upper Moreland) – Shot Put [37-3]
Amelia Ali (Bensalem) – Shot Put – [37-8]
Ashley Alexander (Cheltenham) – Shot Put [38-1.5]
Tyler Whitmore (Upper Moreland) – 200 meters [21.99]
Kyle Francis (Bensalem) – 800 meters [1:54.71]
TFCAOFGP Spring Invitational (Coatesville)
Jack Brophy (Central Bucks East) – 1600 meters [4:24.36]
Cordell Richardson (Cheltenham) – 300 hurdles [39.14]
Dave Stellato (Wissahickon) – 400 meters [48.70]
Oliver Boucher (Central Bucks East) – 800 meters – [1:57.95]
Wissahickon – (4 x 400 relay) – 3:20.57
Cheltenham – (4 x 400 relay) – 3:21.10
Pennridge – (4 x 800 relay) – 7:53.25
North Penn – (DMR) – 10:24.35
Quakertown – (DMR) – 10:32.20
Bensalem Invitational (Bensalem)
David Marrington (Neshaminy) – 110 hurdles [14.70]
David Marrington (Neshaminy) – 300 hurdles [38.56]
Kyle Francis – (Bensalem) – 800 meters [1:57.39]
Bensalem – (4 x 800 relay) – 7:59.19
Viking Invitational (Perkiomen Valley)
Victoria Waddington (Hatboro-Horsham) – Shot Put [37-2]
Jhaloni Johnson (Springfield) - 200 meters [21.88]
SOL T&F Weekend Update
Saturday – April 19,2014
SOL Schools in Attendance
Central Bucks West Relays
Central Bucks East
Central Bucks South
Central Bucks West
Council Rock South
Truman
Hatboro-Horsham
Neshaminy
North Penn
Pennridge
Pennsbury
Quakertown
William Tennent
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