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PIAA track and field: Area athletes close out their careers with a gold rush

daryl bell, bucks county courier times
·4 min read

The second day of the PIAA track and field championship at Shippensburg University had its moments of surprise for everyone, especially for District One athletes on Saturday.

Pennridge senior runner Joey Gant may have been the most surprised, winning both the 100 and 200 meter dashes. Gant, who last year tore his hamstring running the 100 in the state championship, won it this year with a time of 10.74.

"I felt confident running the 100," said Gant. "My body felt well and I felt well. I wanted to go out and do my best on the track and see what happens."

Gant started out strong and never looked back. A strong runner, he finished just ahead of Damon Simpson of Wilson Area, who was also clocked at 10.74 Abraham Sloboh of Milton Hershey was third with a time of 10.88.

Cedar Crest's Gabe Lewis, center, and Pennridge's Joey Gant run boys 3A 100-meter dash prelims at PIAA Track and Field Championship at Shippensburg University on Friday, May 27, 2022. Lewis placed sixth with 10.94 seconds while Gant placed first with 10.78.
Cedar Crest's Gabe Lewis, center, and Pennridge's Joey Gant run boys 3A 100-meter dash prelims at PIAA Track and Field Championship at Shippensburg University on Friday, May 27, 2022. Lewis placed sixth with 10.94 seconds while Gant placed first with 10.78.

Later in the afternoon, Gant won again. Using those strong legs again, Gant won the 200 with a time of 21.15. That was more than fast enough to beat Cameron Sims of Williamsport Area (21.35) and Sloboh, who finished at 21.57.

"I was out there just running," said Gant. "I had won the 100 and I figured hey, let's go for the 200. Once we started, everything started clicking right in my favor."

This fall, Gant will be attending Princeton University.

Gary Martin's final run

Archbishop Wood's Gary Martin closed out his senior season by winning the 800-meter dash. Martin, who set a new record in the 1,600 meter run on Friday, won his final state event with a 1:51.24. Carter Fitzgerald of Central Bucks West was second (1:51.97) followed by Quinn Worrell of Saint Joseph's Prep (1:52.78).

"This was a tough one but I had to come through [and win it]," said Martin. "It was a great run. I'm going to miss coming here. I've had a lot of fun."

More:Archbishop Wood's Gary Martin shatters 1,600 record at PIAA track meet

Martin left Shippensburg as the all-time record holder in the 1,600 (4:01.56) and 3,200 (8:54.87). A couple of weeks ago, he became the 14th high school athlete to eclipse the sub four-minute mile. He ran a 3:57.58 in the mile at the Philadelphia Catholic League track and field championships at Cardinal O'Hara.

Hebron closes out high school career with gold

Neshaminy's Sanaa Hebron places first in girls 3A 300-meter hurdles prelims with 42.59 at PIAA Track and Field Championship at Shippensburg University on Friday, May 27, 2022.
Neshaminy's Sanaa Hebron places first in girls 3A 300-meter hurdles prelims with 42.59 at PIAA Track and Field Championship at Shippensburg University on Friday, May 27, 2022.

Neshaminy senior sprinter Sanaa Hebron closed out her final prep season with a win in the 300 hurdle. Her time of 41.85 was just off the meet record of 41.10 set by Abington's Leah Nugent in 2011.

"I was trying for that record," said Hebron, who will be going to the University of Miami this fall. "I thought I had a chance at it and gave it my best effort. "

Hebron finished second in the 200-meter dash with a 24.11. Laila Campbell of Spring Grove won the event in 23.56.

Introducing Devin Nugent

North Penn's Devin Nugent places first in boys 3A 300-meter hurdles prelims with 38.15 at PIAA Track and Field Championship at Shippensburg University on Friday, May 27, 2022.
North Penn's Devin Nugent places first in boys 3A 300-meter hurdles prelims with 38.15 at PIAA Track and Field Championship at Shippensburg University on Friday, May 27, 2022.

Sometimes, strange happenings occur at the state meet. For example, North Penn's Devin Nugent won the 300 hurdle with a time of 38.15. It was only the third time this season that the senior was enrolled in a meet at the 300 hurdles.

"It's just something that happens," said North Penn head coach Jay Jones. "He is a very hard working young man with a lot of potential. It just occurred that we only had him run in three events this year. It wasn't anything that he did. Hopefully this [first place finish] will lead to something good for him."

Nugent believes it can be the start of something good for him.

"I'm hopeful," said Nugent, whose post high school plans are incomplete. "I'm thinking positively that things will work out well for me. I'm just getting out here. I'm thinking positively."

Going out in style

Central Bucks West, the 2021 AAA girls state team champion, closed out its 2022 state tournament run with a first place finish in the 4x400 relay. The contingent of Claire Dalsass, Mailey McFadden, Kate Edenson and Mimi Duffy ran a 3:50.83. J.P. McCaskey ran a 3:51.53 1 and West Chester Rustin finished at 3:52.36.

"We wanted to finish the season on a strong positive note," said Edenson. "We've had our ups and downs this season. We wanted to end it on a good note."

Play ball! Postseason style! Results, recaps from baseball, softball district playoffs

This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: PIAA track and field: Gant, Martin, Hebron, Nugent all earn gold