Patrick’s value is her versatility for O’Hara
MARPLE — Alex Patrick has a relatively easy schedule for the first day of the District 12 Track & Field Championships. The only event the senior from Cardinal O’Hara is entered in is the long jump.
Don’t worry, though, Patrick more than make up for it during the second day of the championships Thursday at the Germantown Super Site. She’s entered in the 300 hurdles, 4 x 100- and 4 x 400-meter relays.
“I like doing a lot of events,’ the Media resident said. “I feel I contribute more to the team that way. I like to do a little bit of everything in every meet.’
Patrick’s versatility is one of the many reasons the Lions are going for the sixth straight Class AAA team title.
“It’s very impressive,’ Patrick said of the championship streak. “I didn’t know about it until last year. It’s a cool thing and something we want to keep going.’
O’Hara’s depth, especially in the distance events, will keep the Lions in the hunt for the team title. O’Hara has the top three seeds in the 800 (Olivia Arizin, Grace and Elizabeth Mancini), Nos. 1 and 2 in the 1,600 (Grace Mancini and Elizabeth Mancini) and the first and third seed in the 3,200 (Grace Mancini and Sara Hayes).
The Lions scored 81 of their 121 points in the Catholic League championships in those three events.
“We’re so strong in all of the distance events,’ Patrick said.
The Lions have depth in other areas, thanks to people like Patrick. She is seeded second in the long jump and fifth in the 300 hurdles. Meanwhile, the two relay teams she is on, the 4 x 100 and 4 x 400, are seeded second and third, respectively.
“I have a better sense now of what is expected to me,’ Patrick said. “Last year I did both jumps (long and triple) and ended up pulling my hamstring in the 4 x 4. This year, I cut out the triple jump to focus on the long jump. My hope is to qualify for the state meet and rest for Thursday.’
Patrick’s future is in the jumps, specifically in the long jump. She’s headed to Villanova, which is sort of a family tradition. Her mom, Mary, graduated from Villanova, as did several cousins.
“It’s a good choice for a lot of reasons,’ said Patrick, who plans to major in chemical engineering. “It’s close to home and that was a major plus. Also, having family members there was a big help, too. Family members are going to give you an honest answer to what it’s going to be like when I get there and I trust their opinion. They’re not going to steer me wrong.
“They all said that they loved it. They said it’s a great school. They all received great educations and they all have great jobs now. It’s a school that has always intrigued me so I think it will be a good fit.’
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The only track final Wednesday is the 3,200-meter run. The other finals are the long jump, high jump, shot put, javelin and pole vault. All the other finals are Thursday. Starting time is 1 p.m. both days.
Outside of the Cardinal O’Hara contingent, junor Carly Peters of Archbishop Carroll is one of the athletes to watch. She is going for her second straight Class AAA title in the javelin. She and teammate Emily McCann are seeded 1-2 in the event. MaryKate Moeller of Bonner-Prendergast is the top seed in the girls Class AAA discus.
Neumann-Goretti’s Sydni Townsend (Collingdale) and Destinee Thomas (East Lansdowne) are among the higher seeds in girls Class AA. Townsend is the No. 1 seed in the 400 and second in the 200-meter run. She’s also part of the Saints’ 4 x 100- and 4 x 400-meter relay teams that are both seeded first. Thomas is first in the javelin, second in the triple jump, fourth in 100 hurdles and fifth in shot put.
On the boys side, Cardinal O’Hara’s Kevin James is the top seed in the Class AAA 3,200. James is the two-time defending champion and the meet record holder in the event. James has broken the district record in back-to-back years. He ran 9:21.83 as a sophomore and then went 9:19.45 last year. Don’t be surprised if James breaks the mark again. He ran 9:17.01 to finish fifth at the PIAA Championships last year.
Sean Sullivan of Bonner-Prendergast is the No. 1 seed in the 1,600. He’s also part of the 4 x 800-meter relay squad that is seeded second.
The top two finishers in each Class AAA event automatically advance to the PIAA Championships. The next six finishers can move on provided he or she meets the state qualifying standard in the district final.
