Area athletes put on classic performance at Wissahickon

LOWER GWYNEDD >> Cheltenham’s Kira Murray could hear the finish line calling.

“I’m just so competitive – that’s why I like this sport the most,” the junior said of her dash to victory down the final stretch. “I just can’t give up.”

Murray won a tremendous race with Wissahickon’s Kenya Williams, crossing in 25.66 seconds with Williams going 25.68, on a performance-packed Thursday evening at the 48th Trojan Track Classic at Wissahickon.

“I felt pretty good. I was kind of scared because I hate running in the cold,” said Murray, smiling after. Her time cracked the top 50 in the state this spring. “I really love this Wissahickon team so I’m glad to be here. I’m glad they invited us.”

Murray was a double winner for the Panthers, also racing to victory in the 100 in 12.73.

Hatboro-Horsham’s distance duo had a big night, with Lillian DiCola winning the 1,600 and Emily Simko outracing everyone in the 800, crossing in 2:15.35.

North Penn had a lot of relay success, as the 4×8, 4×4 and 4×1 Throwers Relay all combined efforts for the win. Madeline Lewis (long jump), Isabella Kee (discus) and Gardenia Mikhail (javelin) were also first in the field for the Knights.

Cheltenham continued to display its strength in the sprints, as Ke’Nai Massiah (100/200), Jordan Sowell (400), the 4×1 and Throwers 4×1 all produced victories. Forey Chery threw 45-8.5 to win the shot put for the Panthers.

Sowell showed his versatility with a win in the 400 and a fourth-place finish in the triple jump.

He crossed in 50.83 in the 400, setting a personal record.

“It was a good finish,” he said. “I was trying to hold my form down the stretch. I feel good in the 400 and In the 200 right now, I feel really good. I’m trying to reach 22.”

Meanwhile Mila Jovanovic and Dominic Harvey-Sheppard made it a sweep of the 300 hurdles for the host Trojans.

A pair of North Penn freshmen delivered big, as Justin Landis powered to a victory in the 800 and Morgen Brown leapt to first in the triple.

48th Trojan Track Classic

at Wissahickon

Girls

4×800 relay: North Penn, 10:01.13; 300 hurdles: Mila Jovanovic (Wiss) 45.55; 100: Kira Murray (Chelt) 12.73; 1,600: Lillian DiCola (HH) 5:07.32; 4×100 relay: West Catholic, 49.79; 400: Gabrielle Buber (HH) 58.51; 100 hurdles: Taleea Buxton (WC) 14.67; 800: Emily Simko (HH) 2:15.35; 200: Kira Murray (Chelt) 25.66; 3,200: Brooke Reardon (UD) 11:57.98; 4×100 Throwers: North Penn, 56.12; 4×400: North Penn, 4:04.87; High Jump: Serenity Spriggs (PW) 4-10; Pole Vault: Alyssa Gansky (UMer) 9-6; Long Jump: Madeline Lewis (NP) 17-10; Triple Jump: Mia Fleming (PW) 33-8.75; Shot Put: Piper Marion (GMA) 34-8.5; Discus: Isabella Kee (NP) 103-3; Javelin: Gardenia Mikhail (NP) 111-0.

Boys

4×800 relay: Plymouth Whitemarsh, 8:44.20; 300 hurdles: Dominic Harvey-Sheppard (Wiss) 40.75; 100: Ke’Nai Massiah (Chelt) 11.12; 1,600: Rocco Pugliese (HH) 4:33.16; 4×100: Cheltenham, 42.98; 400: Jordan Sowell (Chelt) 50.83; 110 hurdles: Kyle Sergio (HH) 16.31; 800: Justin Landis (NP) 1:57.49; 200: Ke’Nai Massiah (Chelt) 22.46; 3,200: Achilles Shui (NP) 9:48.88; 4×100 Throwers: Cheltenham, 48.32; 4×400: North Penn, 3:29.66; High Jump: Trip Campbell (NP) 6-1; Pole Vault: Daniel Gorman (UD) 12-0; Long Jump: Daniel Ajuz (PW) 22-0; Triple Jump: Morgen Brown (NP) 40-2.25; Shot Put: Forey Chery (Chelt) 45-8.5; Discus: Jalen Gaymon (NP) 138-2; Javelin: Ryan Long (HH) 173-2.