Clarion RiverCats Have Fine Showing In Grove City Meet (04/19/18)

(By Coach Keith Murtha)

I want to give a big shout out to Judd Allan and Tom Wise (former Clarion Area educators and coaches) for inviting to join their home meet as part of the Mercer County Middle School League. The conditions weren’t great but every thing else was fantastic!

Grove City hosted quite a meet with their 100+ athletes on display and plenty of home grown talent. Greenville, had a large team and was quite competitive as well. The much smaller Clarion RiverCats held their own, scoring points in numerous events. Many personal bests were recorded!

The top point scorers for the Clarion RiverCats included Charlie Franchino in the 110 hurdles and the new junior high program record going 15’-4,” breaking the old record by 9 inches! Evelyn Lerch did not disappoint doubling up in the 400 and 200, placing 3rd in both big and talented fields!

Gavin Hoover competed in 4 events and had exceptional showings in the mile (5:47) and in the final race of the day the 4×4 relay with a 1:15 split. Keagan Phillips ran a tremendous 300 m hurdle race and was congratulated by reigning PIAA State Record holder and NCAA ALL American Tom Wise. He then came back and anchored the 4×4 relay with a solid 1:16 split. Seventh grade phenom Abi FREDERICK turned in an impressive performances in the 100 Hurdles, 200 (32.7) and 400 (1:17)

The RiverCats made a splash in the throwing sector, as well, with new comers Rebekah Ketner and Luca Cherico making their presence felt in both the disc and shot!

Great job by all the competitors. The RiverCats Track Club will next compete on Saturday, April 28th, at the Johnsonburg Invitational, one of the largest middle school invites in Western PA.

(Thanks to Coach Murtha for this article. Great showing, RiverCats!!!!)