Large cast of returning champions set for Pioneer Athletic Conference Track and Field Championships
The Pioneer Athletic Conference Track and Field Championships return as a two-day showcase this Friday and Saturday at Norristown High School.
There is a three-event returning champion in Spring-Ford senior Mason Scott (100, 200, 400) and two-event champs in the Perkiomen Valley pair of Ian Johnson (1,600, 3,200) and Mackenzie Owens (100 & 300 hurdles).
Perkiomen Valley’s Mackenzie Owens clears the final hurdle to win the girls’ 300-meter hurdles at the PAC Championships on May 12 at Norristown. (Austin Hertzog – MediaNews Group)
Pottstown’s Tyrese Washington is a defending champion as well, just not in the event he is the reigning PIAA 3A champion in. Washington took the 300 hurdles a year ago but was edged by Pottsgrove’s Trevon Foster, now at The Hill School, in the 110 hurdle finals.
Washington holds the top time in Pa. this season in the 110 hurdles with his 13.76 last week at home against Upper Merion.
The only other boys’ returning champion – a total of four – is Spring-Ford’s Abe McNelly in the high jump. McNelly has the league’s top mark in the pole vault after clearing 14-0 at the Coach Ron Livers Invitational at Perk Valley on April 13.
PV”s Johnson carries the PAC’s top times in the 800, 1,600 and 3,200 into PACs. Meanwhile Scott can expect a test from Owen J. Roberts freshman Matthew Gregory, who has run the PAC’s top times in the 100 and 200 this spring.
Perkiomen Valley’s Ian Johnson leads the field en route to winning the boys’ 3,200 meters at the PAC Championships on May 12 at Norristown. (Austin Hertzog – MediaNews Group)
Other standout marks from the spring include Perk Valley’s Douglas Ledger in the javelin (184-6 on May 1) and Spring-Ford’s Luke Ellor in the shot put (57-5 on April 6).
There are 12 returning PAC champions on the girls’ side out of 15 individual events.
In addition to Owens’ threepeat pursuit, Methacton senior Summer Mellow is also pursuing a third consecutive title in the 100 meters. She is also favored in the long jump after hitting a District 1-best 19-5 on April 4.
Methacton’s Summer Mellow competes at the 2023 PAC Track and Field Championships at Norristown. (Austin Hertzog – MediaNews Group)
Other girls competitors looking to return to the top of the podium are Boyertown senior Harper Glennon (200) and Owen J. Roberts senior Jane Kratz (800), who enter with the PAC’s top times this season in their events. Other defending champs include Spring-Ford sophomore Madison Johnson (400), Perk Valley’s Allison Matasich (3,200), OJR senior Abby Smith (high jump), Pottsgrove’s Athena Phinnessee (long jump), Phoenixville senior Rylee Watson (triple jump), Methacton’s Aubrie Wells (pole vault), OJR’s Gianna Leimeister (javelin) and Phoenixville’s Emine Ulcay (shot put). Those eight will have competition with none entering the weekend with the PAC’s leading mark in their respective events.
Methacton freshman Victoria James has the top District 1 mark in the shot put with her 36-9 on April 30.
Boyertown’s Harper Glennon, right, is the returning champion in the 200 meters at the PAC Championships this weekend. (Austin Hertzog – MNG file)
Action begins Friday at 2:45 p.m. and features finals in the 4×800 relay, 300 hurdles, discus, triple jump and high jump. The event resumes Saturday morning at 9:30 a.m.
