Since 1965, this meet has been the culmination of the indoor season for Delaware Valley schools. Back in the day, indoors was the only chance the PIAA had to show their stuff vs. the Public League, Catholic League and the Privates. Even with the merger, we won’t see these guys again until outdoor States, as Public and Catholic make up District 12.
Lots of high placings throughout the season were nice and all, but reality has a way of setting things straight. When the best line up, you better be ready to go. We ended the regular season with some nice PR’s but placings were another story with the exception of Yondell Dudley.
Dudley was untouchable all year going unbeaten in all 8 of his competitions in Division II, topping that off by winning the Meet of Champs with a toss of 54-10. His 55-8 from Last Chance ranks him #6 heading into States.
Back on the track, things started off with the 4×2. Leaving our lead-off runner home to ponder life, and Ethan in the hurdles, we went with two alternates, not expecting much. This race is always rough-and -tumble and today was no different as we bounced around near the back of the ‘fastest’ of 7 heats. Anchor man Darien Williams (22.5) had to run in lane two as he passed several teams to finish in second. 1:34.56 just a tad off our season best of 1:34.09. All heats seemed to go hot as first place was out of heat #4. After the dust settled, we were in 9th and out of the medals. On to States none-the-less with our previous time, where we’re ranked 16th.
Next up Ethan Dolberry-Wescott in the 60HH. He’s made big improvements over the last several weeks, qualifying for States in the process with a PR 8.44 at Last Chance. He won his prelim here (8.60) and won again in his section of a two-heat final (8.52) ending up 5th.
Another indoor PR and State standard met was Andy Harman in the 800. Looking good in practice, we knew he’d run fast in the right situation and this was it. Seeded in heat 2 of 3, he got pulled along by a 1:58 and another 2:00.0, his 2:00.45 (third in the heat, eighth over-all) converts to 1:59.85 for banked tracks and makes the cut. No medal here, but a ride to PSU.
The 4×4 had Andy and Cam Christopher looking to run fast. A stumble in his 800 heat probably cost Cam a State berth, and he wanted to redeem himself here. Darien’s leg felt funky, so we played it safe and pulled Rahsheed Wright out of the stands as his replacement. Ethan rounded out the quartet. The hot heat was just that and we were never really in contention to win. Nonetheless, we improved on our State qualifier of 3:29.99 with 3:29.50. Good enough for fourth in the heat, fifth over-all. (Harman 51.9)
Ahmir Johnson PR’d placing 5th in the TJ with 43-2.5
Lukas Marcelis placed 11th in the mile in 4:38.78.