Town and Country Newspaper

Sports Article

Individual Performances Highlight of Track and Field Meet

Written by Ernie Quatrani
2012-04-05

Ben Hamil, left, takes the baton from Jake Reuben in the boys’ 4x100 relay in last Wednesday’s home track meet. The team took second in the tri-meet against Spring-Ford and Perk Valley.

Outstanding individual performances highlighted last Wednesday’s tri-meet against Spring-Ford and Perk Valley on Upper Perk’s track. While the boys fell to both visiting teams and the girls split, topping Perk Valley, there was plenty of optimism surrounding both Tribe teams.

The girls succumbed to the enormous numbers advantage and talent of Spring-Ford, 116-33, but bested Perk Valley, 82-62.

Lydia Keiper and Amanda Long were the only overall winners in the track events.

Keiper captured the 3,200 meter in a time of 12:10.66, almost 20 seconds ahead of her nearest rival. Long won the 1,600 in 5:35.17. She was a second behind the Rams’ Nikki Lynch in taking second in the 800 meter with a time of 2:25.39.

In defeating Perk Valley, Long was a member of the winning 4x400 relay along with Emily Rodenberger, Jamie Ciuta, and Dani Moser (4:23.87). Rodenberger took the 100 meter (13.05) and Moser was first in the 300 intermediate hurdles (47.73).

Erica Greco won the 200 (27.99) and was part of the victorious 4x100 relay along with Shakira Abrahams, Raychel Bair and Megan Grams (55.66) against Perk Valley.

Junior Myra Moore created quite a buzz with her performance in field events. Moore was the overall winner in both the shotput and discus.

“Myra has really stepped up in terms of maturity,” said throwing coach Brian Peoples Last year I really think she started to see how far she could go with this.”

While Moore made the post-season in shotput last year, “I know she was disappointed in her performance at Districts,” Peoples relayed. “She’s put a lot more into it this year, and she’s particularly improved her discus throw.”

Against Spring-Ford and Perk Valley, Moore’s discus throw of 97’1.5 was ten feet farther than her best last year.

“She didn’t pick up the discus technique until the very end of last year. She’s really taken to it this year. She’s still somewhat wild in her delivery. She’s got the long arms and long body that benefits that kind of thing. She’s really starting to grow into herself,” noted Peoples.

The boys were also overwhelmed by Spring-Ford’s numbers, 98-51, and dropped a 71-70 decision to PV.

Ronnie Gillespie was first overall in the 100 (10.58) and 200 (22.07) and anchored the 4x100 relay team that finished second to Spring-Ford by a mere .13.

My start was great in both races, the one and two hundred,” Gillespie said. “I feel faster than I was last year.”

As for the relay, “We still have to get our steps down and have more crisp handoffs; that would help a lot to move our times down.”

Avery Scripture also had another outstanding meet, winning the 800 (1:59.22) and 1600 (4:33.34) meters.

Senior John Olsen set a “modern” record in the javelin while taking first overall. He threw 182’1 to break Kyle Krum’s record. Anthony O’Hara still holds the overall record, but Olsen’s throw was Upper Perk’s longest since a heavier javelin was mandated by new rules several years ago.

Olsen got to States last year with a throw of 178 feet.

“He has a realistic chance to finish real high in the State finals at Shippensburg,” coach Peoples said.

Ryan Carlson, another senior, took overall firsts in shot (42’9.75) and discus.

“Ryan’s best shot at districts is in the discus,” Peoples remarked. “He threw 133’ 8; that was his (personal best) overall. He’s really getting shotput down as well.”

Upper Perk’s Somke Akponuno tied with Spring-Ford’s Yousef Lundi for first in the high jump. Both cleared 5’8.

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