Ott Center, U. of Penn – I haven’t posted all season, but after a really good MoC, I thought I’d update and give a recap of the season so far. 

Sprints – Pre-season, our expectations were high for the 4×2 and the 4×4 with eight guys in the rotation. They didn’t disappoint with two separate teams posting 1:30.00 and 3:25.25 using all eight about a month ago.

Up at the Ocean Breeze Invite on Feb 1st, the same 4×2 (Dominic Harvey-Sheppard, Amari Nash, Quentin West, Zion Ford) broke the 4×2 school record running 1:29.16, #2 PA at the time. Yesterday on the super-fast Penn track, they cut it to 1:28.65 and there’s more there. Splits were 22.02, 21.91, 22.43, 22.33.

The 4×4 had some doubts. Xavier Johnson has had injuries, illness and other issues for about a month with sporadic practices as did Amari Nash. We didn’t know if they would run well due to fitness questions. 3:23.58 (#2 Wiss All-Time) answered that. Splits for that one were Nash 51.31, Aiden Wescott 50.87, Johnson 50.60, Jonah Sydney 50.88. 

Individually, Dominic H-S’s 21.97 200 is #2 Wiss all-time (school record is Isaiah Marc 21.95), Nash has a 22.57. Jonah Sydney has run 50.43. 

Hurdles – Dom has taken well to the highs after running some of the top times state-wide at 300H outdoors. He joins Evan Tolmie as a legit scorer having dropped a state qualifier 8.40. Aiden Wescott is showing promise also (with his 50.87 split yesterday, 300’s are in his future). All three made MoC but no finalists. Looks good for outdoors in the hurdle department. 

Distance – Ralph Antonucci looked like our best after PRs of 2:00.0, 4:29 and 9:38 for 3200 last spring. Over a few weeks, he’s cut his 3000 from 9:10 to 9:03 to 8:51.57 placing 4th here and hitting the State Standard.   He dropped down to the 800 last weekend hit 1:59.59 to go along with a 4:30.21 mile.

Jack Pickel is coming into his own from 2:04 last spring to 2:00.87 indoors and Jishnu Dass has split 2:05 so far. These two, along with Ralph and sprinter Jonah Sydney (2:04 at Ocean Breeze), the 4×8 should be able to hit the state standard next weekend.

Pole Vault – With the help of Philly Jumps Club, Jason Verrier has hit 13-0 a few times and peaked a 13-9 yesterday which hit the State Standard.  

P.S. – This new track down at Penn is truly spectacular. Short straights and wide turns have made for some ridiculously fast times. Look up the Ott Center and check out some pictures.