Abington, running as the Ghost Track Club, finished 2nd in an amazing 4x400 duel with Newburgh Elite(NY) with a fantastic time of 3:19.03, a time undoubtedly fueled by Morales' 400 dash disappointment. (Photo courtesy of Tim Fulton; ArmoryTrack.com) But Abington can go faster. At the PIAA state meet the breaks didn't go Abington's way and they wound up 4th in the 4x400 and 4x800 with times that were a "little disappointing" according to Coach Brian Deck. NSIC offered a chance for redemption and Abington was able to deliver on the track. In addition to the 4x400, the DMR placed 9th with a solid time of 10:33 and Chris Morales finished 6th in the boys 400 meter dash with a time of 48.84. The run was good enough for an All-American certificate, but Chris was visibly shaken up after the race. He was tripped up at the break and lost his momentum for 20 meters of the race before regaining his form to finish strong enough to hold on to a top-6 position. Abington will be planning on early season trips to the Penn Relays in the 4x400 and 4x800 relays with goals of making the Championship of America races in each relay. Coaches Deck and Neely believe it will take a time of 3:15 to get into the COA 4x400, which gives you an idea of just how good these Abington squads really are.
Penncrest finished 4th overall in the boys 4x400 meter relay with a time of 3:20.87.
Ben Furcht earned 2nd place in the boys 2 mile with a time of 9:11.54. For the first half of the race he ran just off of Solomon Haile's pace with Jimmy Tarsnane just off his shoulder. Tarsnane faded late in the race but still placed 5th in 9:24.86 for All-American.
Jason Johnson improved on his State Championship performance to record a jump of 48-00.00 in the triple jump to earn an All-American 3rd place finish.
Brittney Wallace placed 4th in the 400 meter dash final with a time of 55.81. It was her first trip under 56 seconds and earned her an All-American certificate.
Wesley Lavong placed 4th in the shot put with a PA#1 throw of 61-09.50, good enough for an All-American certificate.
O'Hara surprised even themselves with a 5th place All-American finish in the boys 4x1 mile relay with a time of 18:04.93. Two huge PR's fueled this unexpected performance.
Tory Worthen became an All-American in the Pole Vault with a jump of 12-06.00.
O'Hara girls earned All-American status in the SMR with a 5th place finish in a time of 4:11.25.
Swenson girls(running as the Lions track club) won the 4x60 meter Shuttle Hurdle Relays with a time of 33.40.
Malvern Prep boys finished 4th in the Shuttle Hurdle Relays to earn an All-American certificate.
Neal Berman placed 5th in the 5000 meter run with a time of 15:18.76. He ran the first half of the race shoulder to shoulder with Solomon Haile (eventual winner with a time of 14:22.88), before fading late in the race.
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Wesley Lavong, Shot Put
Brittany Wallace, 400 Meter Dash
Chris Morrales, 400 meter dash
Tory Worthen, Girls Pole Vault
Anthonia Ballard: Shuttle Hurdle Relay.
Wallace Spencer: Shuttle Hurdle Relay
Neal Berman: All-American in the 5000 meter run.
Swenson: NSIC Shuttle Hurdle Relay Champs.
Malvern Prep: All-American Shuttle Hurdle Relay.
Penncrest boys 4x400 meter relay.