Season ends on a positive note
By: Neil Hay
The Peddie boys and girls track teams hosted the state Prep A championships Wednesday. Although neither team challenged for the top spot in their respective competition, they both ended the season on a positive note, according to Coach Mark Gartner.
The girls "had a very good day," scoring a better than expected 75 ¾ points. That total put them in third place, behind Lawrenceville (190) and Pingry (97 ½).
On the boys’ side, the Falcons managed 25 points for sixth place. St. Benedict’s’ 140 gave that school the team win.
Said Gartner of the girls’ totals, "I figured it would be a good day if we scored between 65 and 75," pleased that his team exceeded that pre-meet projection. "We performed well on top of that."
Rachel Provost was a double winner in the 1600 (5:10.47) and 3200 (11:37.59). Amber Scott’s 15-7 captured the long jump for another Peddie first place.
Sarah Wehrhan decided to save her best for last in the shot. In a previous throw she took the lead with 33-10. But on her final throw a Lawrenceville competitor took the lead with her "34 and change." But that lead did not hold up. Throwing next and last Wehrhan went 35 5½ to take first in the event. Wehrhan also was second in the discus (102-6).
In other top-three finishes, Janine Solujich was third in the high jump (4-6), and Scott triple-jumped 33 3½ for another third place.
In addition, personal bests abounded for the girls. Zara Stasi had a 17.85 100 hurdles, Melissa Provost ran a 5:45.55 1600 and a 12:30.45 3200, freshman Alex Von Arx was seventh in the 800 with a 2:29.45, while Tina Soweh’s 2:40.09 was another personal best, Arthie Jeyakumer had a 28.48 200, and in the shot Connor Ahlborn threw 30-4, the first time she cleared 30 feet.
On the boys side, "In a big meet like this we only have a few boys to score points," said Gartner. Aaron Harper was counted on to be one of them. But running his heat in the 100 he tweaked a hamstring. Harper’s 11.43 was third in his heat and good enough to run finals. But the injury forced him out of the 200 and triple jump, as well as the 100 finals.
Scoring in their respective events were Alex Amodol, third in the 400 hurdles in 62.7 (despite running in the slow first heat), and Terrence Daly, who pole vaulted 11-0 for third.
Personal bests by the boys included Stanton Wong’s 19.16 in the high hurdles, Ryan Mullen’s 2:13.43 800, Mike Pankiewicz’ 2:15.21 800, and Michael Perry’s 25.73 200. Also, the 11:13.43 3200 by David Noh, freshman Anthony Charles’ 98-3 discus, and Day’s 38 6½ triple jump, an improvement of more than one foot.
"I am happy with how they did as well," said Gartner of the boys. "Going in I knew the boys would not score 75. If Aaron made the finals of the 100 or 200 it would have been a good day for him. I wanted the team to race well and they did. The kids ran great. I could not ask for more. Now we are getting excited for next year."
Saturday was a wacky and bizarre day as Peddie traveled an hour and a half to the Hill School in Pottstown, Pennsylvania for the Mid-Atlantic Prep League championships. The meet was supposed to start at noon. But at 11:45 during the coaches meeting it began to thunder, so everyone went inside. About 1:40 the athletes came out to start warm-ups for the javelin and shot. But at 2 and halfway through the first heat of the high hurdles more thunder sounded. So again the athletes went inside, although the sky was "sunny-ish," according to Gartner. Everyone hung around until 3:15, when the coaches decided to postpone the meet. A suggestion to return Sunday was shot down, so this year’s MAPL championship meet was cancelled.
As to the season that now is over, Gartner said, "I am very pleased how things turned out. We have some good boys and girls coming out next year. The girls could take a serious run at the state championship and the MAPL as well. We will be stronger."

