Cheltenham, Abington looking strong at Abington Armstrong Invitational

ABINGTON >> Sprinter High is now winning the long ones as well.

“All of the distance girls have been doing really well,” sophomore MaryGrace Rittler said, “so we’re happy to be making a name in distance for Cheltenham.”

Rittler was all by herself in the 1,600 Thursday night, motoring four times around the Schwarzman Stadium track to finish first in a field of 33.

It was an impressive race by Rittler, one of many on the evening by balanced Cheltenham at the Abington Armstrong Invitational.

“It’s definitely a big improvement from last year,” said Rittler, whose winning time of 5 minutes, 8.42 seconds is almost half a minute better than her 2015 best, “so I’m happy.”

Rittler’s performance has been part of an impressive distance group for the Panthers, who sprinted and hurdled their way to a Class AAA State Title a year ago.

With those events stronger than ever, Cheltenham’s abilities in the distance and in the field — sophomore Madison Langley-Walker long jumped to a victory on Thursday (18-1.5) — make it as balanced a team as you’ll see.

“We all work really hard, and this year some of the races started to click,” Rittler said. “And then, you know, one person starts to do it and everyone else says, ‘so can I.’”

Cheltenham had two other runners finish in the top eight, as sophomore Lila Harmar and senior Sarah Richart placed seventh and eighth.

Lansdale Catholic junior Kayla Connelly ran a strong race, crossing second in 5:12.40.

Rittler took it out hard and stayed in front the whole way.

“I was a little bit scared because I didn’t know where anyone was,” said the sophomore, who will also be counted on in the 3,200 and 4×8 as the postseason nears, “but I think it went really well.”

Host Abington got the night off to a tremendous start when the Ghosts swept the 4×800 relays.

The Ghosts’ boys squad cracked eight minutes with a 7:57.17 and the Ghost girls foursome ran their best time of the spring, qualifying for districts with a winning time of 9:44.37.

Kelly Jawork, Sophia Carabba, Kara Travers and Marissa Heath outlasted Penn Wood (9:53.19) and Upper Dublin (10:04.97) for top honors.

The final 800 would see Abington and Penn Wood battling it out, and then Heath made her move.

“I was gonna try to pass her earlier but I heard my coach (Tony Parker) saying, ‘don’t pass her on the turn, wait til it’s straight,’” Heath said. “So I held back and tried to take her off the turn.”

The Ghosts’ anchor pulled away to the victory, helping to provide a good show for the home crowd.

“It’s exciting because we’re home, in front of our school, our teacher, our principle,” Heath said, “so it’s a nice one to win.”