A Hop, Skip, and a Jump to the Record Books

Pandas finish 3^rd at PCL Champs

            Sunday, February 12th was no normal day at work for the Pandas track & field program. This was the day the Pandas of Bonner & Prendie knew not only what they wanted to do, but how they were going to do it, as a team. That is how they started, and that is exactly how they wanted to finish it. After all, the team’s motto is “to give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift,” (-Steve Prefontaine) and this is exactly how they competed, their best.

            The Pandas finished, for the second straight year, in the top three of the Philadelphia Catholic League ready to keep fighting to the end and continue to surpass limitations.

           A team that had two state qualifying performances, three school records broken, and a field event meet MVP, the Pandas pursued.

            In the field, Hannah Oropollo started her day by winning the pole vault and setting the school record in that event, clearing 9 feet. She did not stop there. Hannah’s performance in the triple jump helped excel her to the PCL Field Event MVP. She finished 2^nd in that event, breaking her own school record in the process, jumping 32 feet 4.25 inches. The hop, skip, and a jump helped push her to the top and First Team All Catholic honors. While Hannah had a great day, the field events truly helped the Pandas push beyond limitations. Rachel Doubet finished 4^th in the high jump, clearing a season best 4 feet 8 inches and achieving her Second Team All Catholic. Hannah Bierling finished 4^th in the shot put, achieving her Second Team All Catholic, with teammate Jasmine Powell right behind her in 6^th place, achieving her Honorable Mention All Catholic. The field events truly helped establish the Pandas in the meet and gave them the go ahead into achieving even more things on the track.

            On the track another school record was taken down by Alaina Johnson in the 60 hurdles, as she ran 9.50 seconds to win the event for the second straight year. Alaina was also part of a 4x200 that finished 3^rd overall, granting her, Rachel Doubet, Brennagh Shields, and Hannah Oropollo Honorable Mention All Catholic honors, an achievement Alaina would receive again after finishing 6^th in the 200.

            Jewel Ford went into the 60 dash ranked 2^nd, but that did not hold her back. Right off the start Jewel quickly blew away the competition, hitting her personal best time and the state qualifying standard, running a 7.95. The win gave Jewel First Team All Catholic honors.

            The sprinters weren’t the only ones to step up big! Distance showed their skills as well. Jenna Rastatter had a very impressive day, finishing 3^rd in the mile, Second Team All Catholic, 6^th in the 3,000, Honorable Mention All Catholic, and she was part of a 4x800 that finished 2^nd overall, earning her, Corrina O’Lock, Sam Gliwa, and Amanda Trigg all Second Team All Catholic honors!

            Senior, Bridie O’Dea, was quickly behind Jenna in the mile, where Bridie finished 4^th overall and achieved Second Team All Catholic honors as well!

Medalists on the day include:

4x200 Girls 3rd: Alaina Johnson, Rachel Doubet, Brennagh Sheilds, Hannah Oropollo

4x400 Girls 5th: Hannah Bierling, Alaina Johnson, Briella Black, Charlotte McDermott

4x800 Girls 2nd: Corrina O'Lock, Sam Gliwa, Amanda Trigg, Jenna Rastatter

DMR Girls 4th: Charlotte McDermott, Hannah Bierling, Corrina O'Lock, Sam Gliwa

Frosh 4x400 Girls 3rd: Maddy Beaty, Maggie Salter, Jasmin Williams, Shyann Bilbrough

60 Hurdles: Alaina Johnson 1st

60 dash: Jewel Ford 1st

200: Alaina Johnson 6th

Mile: Jenna Rastatter 4th, Bridie O'Dea 5th

3000: Jenna Rastatter 6th

High Jump: Rachel Doubet 4th

Triple Jump: Hannah Oropollo 2nd

Pole Vault: Hannah Oropollo 1st

Shot Put: Hannah Bierling 4th, Jasmine Powell 6^th

All Catholics:

First Team: Alaina Johnson, Jewel Ford, Hannah Oropollo (2x)

2nd Team: Jenna Rastatter, Bridie O'Dea, Hannah Bierling, Corrina O'Lock, Sam Gliwa, Amanda Trigg, Rachel Doubet

Honorable Mention: Jasmine Powell, Alaina Johnson (2x), Brennagh Shields, Rachel Doubet, Hannah Oropollo, Jenna Rastatter

School Records:

Triple Jump: Hannah Oropollo 32 feet 4.25 inches

Pole Vault: Hannah Oropollo 9 feet

60 Hurdles: Alaina Johnson 9.50

Do not forget that the outdoor track registration meeting will be held on Wednesday, January 18th at 3:00 PM. This is to ensure that you order and receive a jersey prior to the season.

Girls: https://goo.gl/forms/iO8Urd1jF5r3YHnr1

Boys: https://goo.gl/forms/ooEW3yhhhHw6r1e03

For more information, contact Coach Kee

Kevin.Kee2043@gmail.com