Souderton Area reaching new heights in the hurdles and jumps

WARRINGTON >> It was quite a week for junior Stephen Scott, cranking out times that earned him a Suburban One League Continental Conference gold medal as well as becoming the fastest 300-meter hurdler in Souderton Area history.

“I was focusing more on the 400 (in the winter), and the 300 just kind of happened — I don’t know where it came from,” Scott said Saturday afternoon at the conference championships. “The 400 training has helped me a lot.

“I just have a lot of stamina during the 300’s,” he said. “And I think that’s why I’m running such good times at the end of the season.”

Scott raced to first place in the 300’s on a windy Saturday at South, his time of 39.48 the best in the Continental.
And that was just the capper.

Earlier in the week, in a dual meet with Central Bucks East, Scott broke a 33-year-old Souderton school record, his time of 38.84 the best ever for Big Red, and almost two seconds faster than the District One Class AAA standard.

“I knew their top guy (from East) could run a 39 so I knew I would have some good competition and I really wanted to push myself,” Scott said. “It turned out I broke the school record.

“I’m excited for districts (this weekend). It’s my first time so I’m looking forward to it. I tried so hard during my sophomore year to get into districts that I think I just over-pushed myself and I didn’t get the time. I really worked hard during the winter to get myself ready.”

Scott helped form a one-two punch with senior Colin Harker, who won the 110’s on Saturday with a 14.81, Scott right behind with the silver, in 15.14.

“It was a lot of fun that we got one and two, especially because it’s Colin’s last year,” Scott said. “I know he really wants to get back to where he ran the 14.16. He pushes me, so it’s a good time.”

Souderton put together an impressive performance at the Continental’s, with Shamar Jenkins winning the long jump (21-10.5) and setting a record in the triple, his leap of 47-11 surpassing the previous record of 47-6, set by Norristown’s Godwin Omo-Ekpadi back in 2008.

On the girls side, Big Red’s Moira O’Malley also set a meet record, clearing 5-9.25 in the high jump, replacing the previous record of 5-6, set by another Souderton star, state champion Kristin Smith, back in 2009.

“We have a good team,” Scott said. “We didn’t show it this season in dual meets, but we have a lot of talented performers here.”