Second straight District 1 titles for Hatboro-Horsham’s Riches, North Penn’s Kwortnik
CALN >> It was a sweet repeat for Hatboro-Horsham pole vaulter Allison Riches while North Penn’s Natalie Kwortnik long jumped over 19 feet in just her third appearance in the pit this spring.
Both standouts defended their titles in impressive fashion on Friday, as the District One Championships got underway at sunny Coatesville High School.
“I was a little worried coming in because I wasn’t the only girl vaulting 12 feet. But I just relaxed and kept everything under control,” said Riches, who was clutch all afternoon on her first attempts. “Most of the girls go to Philadelphia Jumps Club, so it’s been an ongoing joke that it was going to be extreme tears or a bloodbath — we were all gonna go after each other because we all know each other and go to the same place.”
The friendly competition pushed Riches to a gold-medal vault of 12 feet. Motivation also came in another form.
“I could tell she was stressing herself out. And I said, ‘Allison, just think about that chocolate, peanut-butter monstrosity milkshake you’re gonna get after this,’” said her coach, Ginger Lemon. “And I got her to where I needed her to be.”
Riches was in her zone, besting a field that included the tough Methacton duo of Camaryn Rodriguez (second, 11-6) and Annelli Nickolina (third, 11-6) along with Central Bucks West’s Chloe Timberg (seventh, 10-6).
Said Lemon of Riches’ focus on Friday: “She doesn’t care about wind or weather or whatever. She just does her thing. When she needs to perform, she performs.”
The same goes for Kwortnik, who was the only long jumper to hit 19 feet on Friday. She won Class 3A with an outstanding 19-0.5.
”It’s probably my third time jumping this year because I’ve been a little bit injured,” she said. “So I haven’t really been jumping as much. I definitely wanted to try and break 18 (Friday) and it just really pulled through so I’m really happy about that.”
The layoff didn’t show.
“It actually felt really good, other than a few minor blisters and stuff, getting used to it,” she said with a smile. “It felt amazing jumping again. With the coaches and everything and the schedule, it’s just been crazy and stuff, getting me to jump. So it finally just worked out because I put my focus on the long jump (Friday).”
Kwortnik stood atop a podium that included silver medalist Brianna Smith of Cheltenham (who went on to claim the high jump crown again, clearing 5-7), Spring-Ford’s Devin Rawley (fifth, 17-8.5) and Methacton’s Katelyn Evans (17-7.75).
“I feel really good now so I’m hoping next week (at states) will be even better,” Kwortnik said. “I’m just really thankful for all of my competition and having a great time out there with all of my friends. It’s really great, being able to spend that kind of time in the pit.”
Saint Basil took the top three spots in the 2A long jump, led by Sasha Lee (17-5.5). Tia Taylor (17-2) and Bernadette Stanton (16-0) took second and third for the Panthers.
Said Lee of taking the gold again: “It felt good. It wasn’t my P.R. but it felt like a good one. My goal is 18-7.”
Sydney Putera of Dock was the only district qualifier for the Class 2A pole vault, coming away with the gold medal by clearing 6-6.
CB West’s Kevin Guevara earned the bronze in the 3A discus, throwing 144-6.
Dock’s Xander Duerksen was a double medalist in 2A, with his marks of 151-2 in the javelin (second) and 40-10.5 in the shot put (third). Audrey Schweizerhof of the Pioneers threw 89-10 in the discus, good for third.
