PV’s Johnson does distance double, Methacton’s James golden on Day 2 of District 1 Championships
Perkiomen Valley senior Ian Johnson has played soccer all his life, which makes sense based on his performance at the District 1 Track and Field Championships.
Johnson out-kicked the competition on back-to-back days.
After winning the 1,600 meters on Friday, Johnson kicked off Day 2 competition by doing the distance double and winning the 3,200 meters in 9:09.43, less than a second ahead of runner-up Aiden Maue of Souderton (9:09.90).
“In the 1,600, I was second or third, and then I outkicked; in the 3,200 I sat around 10th for a lot of the race. In the final two laps I moved up to around fifth; in the last lap I moved up a couple of spots and was able to reach the lead runner and just tried to outsprint the last 100 (meters).”
Bound for Georgia Tech, a big finish awaits Johnson at next week’s PIAA Championships at Shippensburg University.
“My goal is to medal at states this year, and to PR in the 1,600 and 3,200 – sub 4:10 in the 1,600 and sub 9 in the 3,200 if possible. I’m assuming the medals will come with the PRs.”
Methacton freshman Victoria James also had a golden finish by the narrowest of margins, much like Johnson.
James hit 37-0 ¼ on her third attempt, which landed her a quarter of an inch ahead of runner-up Kira Moses of Pennsbury (37-0).
Methacton senior Summer Mellow earned her first trip to states in the sprints with her silver finish in the 100 meters. She ran a 12.06, bested only by the Pa. second-best 11.84 of Cheltenham’s Amirah Nesmith. Boyertown junior Harper Glennon placed fifth in 12.28.
Perkiomen Valley senior Sienna Miller earned a place in states with her second-place finish in the 3,200 meters. Miller finished in 10:55.66, trailing only Lillian DiCola of Hatboro Horsham (10:51.38).
Methacton senior Kenslee O’Donnell backed up her PAC meet win by placing fifth in the 100 hurdles in a personal-best 15.19.
Owen J. Roberts junior Julia Bold placed fourth in the triple jump with a personal best and state-qualifying 36-10. The event was won by Souderton junior Destini Smith, who jumped a District 1 meet-record 41-10 ½.
In the boys’ 110 hurdles, West Chester Rustin’s Lucas Band rose up and bested the PAC’s top two in Pottstown senior Tyrese Washington and Upper Perkiomen’s Grayson Riggins. Band’s 14.13 was ahead of Riggins (14.47) and Washington (14.48). All three met the state standard, giving Washington the chance to defend his PIAA title next weekend.
Owen J. Roberts freshman Matt Gregory earned a spot in states in the 100 meters by placing fourth (10.89).
This story will be updated after Saturday afternoon results.
