Emalie Best Headed To States After Claiming 300 Hurdles At District Nine Class-AA Track Championships; Several Other Wolves Individuals And Relays Also Medal

on 24 May, 2022 at 02:02

(Above: Emalie Best atop the medals podium for the 300 hurdles.)

Emalie Best captured the Girls’ 300 hurdles, with a time of 49.40 to lead the North Clarion Track and Field Teams in the District Nine Class-A Meet at Brookville High School on Friday (May 20th). She will now advance to the PIAA State Meet this Friday (May 28th), at Shippensburg University’s Seth Grove Stadium.

(Emilie Best pushing toward the win the 300 hurdles)

Coach Doug Jackson said this about Best’s performance, “Emalie has been a solid performer in the 100 and 300 hurdles throughout her freshman season.

“She was ranked second going into the 100 hurdle prelims, but was disqualified because of a false start. This was, understandably, upsetting for her. However, she responded in the 300 hurdles by winning the event and advancing to the state meet with one of her best times of the season.

“I’m impressed by her perseverance, work ethic, and toughness. We look forward to taking her to Shippensburg for her first state meet experience.”

(Lerches (L-R) Matt, Isaac, Evelyn, Tammy (missing, Nathaniel who is running for Pepperdine University) )

In all, the Wolves had nine individuals or relay teams medal. Medals are given through the first six places. The top two place finishers and any other with State Qualifying Times move on.

The Girls’ 4X800 relay, which included Bella Scott, Sophie Babington, Brynn Siegel and Gia Babington, finished third with a time of 10:10.44 and just missed a trip to States, finishing just behind second place Punxsutawney who ran a 10:10.23. The Wolves’ time is a new personal record for them.

(Bella Scott, Gia Babington, Sophie Babington, Eva Lerch (the 4×400 relay), and Kylie Disney (400 medal), and Kaine McFarland (3200m medal.)

Three Wolves recorded fourth place finishes.

Kaine McFarland captured fourth in the Boys’ 3200 with a time of 10:32.57, while Siegel recorded a 12:38.49 and Evelyn Lerch ran a 27.37 in the 200 in the girls’ competition.

The Girls’ 4X400 relay, consisting of Lerch, Scott, Sophie Babington and Gia Babinton, finished fifth, running a 4:23.29.

(Throwers Coach Ryan Cornecki with (L-R) Rebekah Ketner, Addison Siegel and Brenna Armstrong)

North Clarion had three sixth place finishes: for the Girls, Kylie Disney in the 400, with a 1:05.28 and Brenna Armstrong in the shot put with a throw of 31-11.5, and the Boys 4X100 relay, including Allan Johnston, Noah Naser, Dawson Hotchkiss and Isaac Lerch, timed in 45.32.

(Dawson Hotchkiss, Allen Johnston, Kaine McFarland and Noah Naser)

Other top ten finishers for the Wolves included:

Girls: seventh place: Gia Babington – 400 (1:05.49), Scott – 1600 (5:49.61) Emily McCaslin – pole vault (7-0) and Rebekah Ketner – shot put (31-2.5); eighth place: Sophie Babington – 800 (2:36.07); ninth place: 4X800 relay, including Lerch, Disney, Taylor Sherbine and Olivia Siegel (53.97); tenth place: Lerch – 100 (13:82), Katie Bauer – 3200 (13:26.18).

Boys: eighth place: Patrick Young – 400 (54:87); ninth place: Johnston – 100 (11:76).

(Good job, Wolves!!!! Congratulations and have a great State Meet, Emalie!!!!)

(Thanks to everyone whose pics were used for this article: Tara Steele, Roxanne McFarland, Matt Best, Emily and Steven Best!!!!)

Links to both AA and AAA:

https://pa.milesplit.com/meets/477562-piaa-district-9-aa-championship-2022/results#.YopYUlTMLGI

https://pa.milesplit.com/meets/477561-piaa-district-9-aaa-championship-2022/results#.YopYc1TMLGI