Shaky weather patterns, along with excavation issues around the concession/rest room building, threatened to put a damper on this always exciting and competitive meet. The sky gods where at least temporarily appeased, the work crew performed their magic and the meet went off without a hitch.
We usually use this meet to post times in individual events for those needing better marks, and getting our relay alternates some valuable ‘starter’ experience. Rahsheed Wright (400), Andy Harman (800), Lukas Marcelis (1600) and Ben Hoyer (3200) all PRed and Darien Williams (100, 200) came close.
With Darien undefeated at his two specialties and no one here to really challenge him, his goal was to just run fast. The usual ‘Trojan Tailwind’ on the homestretch decided to shift directions ruining any PR chances making his 10.86 directly into it impressive. He’s only run faster twice (10.81 @ 2015 States and 10.85 @ Neshaminy Classic). The 200 was more of the same with an uncontested 22.11 into the wind.
We may have a total ‘Re-Wright’ of the 400 record books by the time sophomore Rahsheed is through. Over the last few weeks, he’s been tearing it up. Since April 3rd his consecutive splits: 49.9, 49.8, 49.45, 48.9, 48.4. His consecutive 400 open times: 50.1, 49.9, 49.5, 49.54. ‘Nuff said! His 400 on Thursday night looked all tied up with three other runners at 300. That tie turned into a 1.35 second gap by the finish line. In the 4×4, his second-leg carry of 48.4 blew the race open. Dave Stellato’s soph school record of 48.85 from 2012 could go by season’s end.
Andy Harman’s loss of training time due to his duties with the ‘techies’ of the Robotics Club doesn’t seem to affect his racing. He led the 800 through the first lap in an aggressive 56. The pace proved a bit stiff, as he faded down the stretch but still managed to post a PR 1:58.03 for second place, well under the District One standard of 1:59.24. He came back to anchor the 4×4, PR there as well with 50.6.
The 1600 saw Lukas Marcelis best his previous PR by 4 seconds with 4:30.78. He showed guts by holding on to the leaders through three and a half laps and finishing strong. Back in sixth, freshman Justin Ryan was busy chopping 10 sec. of his best (4:45.88 6th). Ben Hoyer’s goal going in to the 3200 was 10:14 which would have given him a 10-second PR. Apparently, he under-estimated himself with the clock stopping at 10:09.76, a huge 15 second drop.
Yondell Dudley continues his dominance in the throws taking both shot (49-9.5) and disc (141-7)
Editorial:
Back in the mid-seventies, then physical education instructor/track coach Floyd Garis decided he’d had enough of the prom/post-season sports conflicts that had been a plague for decades. He convinced the school board to move the prom permanently to the first Friday in May. We would: #1 Host a big-time invitational on Thursday evening, # 2 Have the prom on Friday, #3 Have the weekend off heading into championship seasons for all spring sports. Problem solved! (At least for about 20 years…….)Since the change back, the Prom has conflicted with either the District One or State Championships EVERY YEAR.