CB West’s Carlin McFadden among standouts at North Penn Invitational

WARRINGTON >> Spring has officially arrived for Central Bucks West’s Carlin McFadden.

“I’ve just been waiting to get a good open eight in,” she said Saturday at the North Penn Invitational. “Every meet so far, I’ve been doubled up in open (events). So I just really haven’t gotten to see what I can do. And I’m pretty happy.”

McFadden ran a sizzling personal best, racing to a victory in the 800-meter run. She crossed the finish line in just 2 minutes, 13.80 seconds.

“That’s a pretty big P.R. for me, by like six seconds,” she said. “I’m pretty excited right now. This was pretty big because I’m really trying to run like a 2:14, under that for the end of the season. Since the beginning of the year, I’ve been feeling pretty good.”

McFadden’s fast eight was part of a big day for West, and a good taste of competition for all involved, as locals raced, threw, jumped and vaulted at one of the first big invites of the spring.

With North Penn’s new track under construction, the event was moved to Central Bucks South.

Different venue, same tough competition.

And some of it came from a runners in the same color jersey.

“We’re all very competitive with each other too,” North Penn’s Jan Ramos said of he and teammate Amari Wharwood going one-two in the 300 hurdles. “With 200 to go, I was just trying to stay up there.”

There were several impressive times and marks.

The CB West girls saw Kate Edenson win the 400 in 58.21; Julia Flood took the 1,600 in 5:20.52; Chloe Timberg was first in the pole vault by clearing 12-6; and the Bucks won the 4×400 in 3:59.36.

McFadden and teammate Emmi Simon provided a one-two punch in the 800, finishing first and second (2:16.29).

Julia Pye of CB South (2:19.84), Caitlin Burmester of Upper Dublin (2:24.86) and Claire Dalsass of CB West (2:27.44) rounded out a strong top five.

“(Emmi) and I went out together and stayed together,” McFadden said with a smile.

Of the return to the track after the 2020 was cancelled, McFadden said: “Losing last year was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to deal with. But we persevered.”

Going Exploring >> The Philadelphia Catholic League had some strong representation, as La Salle was on the scene and got a tremendous performance out of Conor McFadden.

McFadden won the 100 in 11.14 seconds and also took the 200 in 22.40.

Brian Scotto won the 110 hurdles in 15.14 and Zachary Brill won the 3,200 in 4:23.98.

And then there was Tommy Christie.

The versatile Christie won the high jump, clearing 6-6, the long jump, leaping 21-8, and the pole vault, clearing 14-7.

Showing Their Stuff >> In addition to Ramos (42.48) and Wharwood (43.09) going one and two in the 300 hurdles, the Knights won the 4×100 and 4×400 relays.

Luke Alcom took the javelin with a throw of 154-9 and Chris Bonsignore won the triple jump with a leap of 41-8.75.

The Upper Dublin girls won the 4×800 in 9:54.77 and the Cardinals’ Peyton Kullmann finished first in the triple jump with a leap of 36-1.5.

Souderton Area’s Aonghas Evanick displayed his strength in the field, winning the discus with a throw of 134-6.

Buck Wild >> Carter Fitzgerald was ahead of schedule – and ahead of everyone else – in the 800.

“I felt pretty good. I was surprised I felt that good (with 300 to go),” the CB West standout said. “I just kept on going. I surprised myself. I did not expect that.

“I haven’t run an open eight in three years. That was a good start. I wanna win states in the eight and I wanna win in the 4×8, do something great.”

Fitzgerald clocked a 1:54.89. West’s success continued into the 3,200, where Nikolaus Mangeot was tops with a 9:49.68.