A few strike gold as bad weather wreaks havoc on Day 1 of District One track meet
It wasn't what was called for but lightening bolts and a brief thunderstorm forced officials at the PIAA District One track and field championships at Coatesville High School to cut off the action Friday afternoon.
Competition is slated to resume Saturday at 9 a.m.
Because of the inclement weather, many finals and events were postponed. However a few athletes did make their mark. Here's a look at what happened.
DiCola outpaces competition in 1,600
Hatboro-Horsham's Brian DiCola secured a place for himself in the PIAA meet next weekend in Shippensburg with a gut-wrenching first-place performance in the 1,600 meter run. A junior, DiCola tore the track up with a 4:18.59.
"I felt very good about myself out there," said DiCola. "I wasn't bothered by anything. I felt good, and I felt strong. I just went out there and ran."
DiCola's first-place finish may have surprised a few but it didn't catch Hatboro-Horsham track and field coach Mike Harmon by accident.
"He's a good, hard working person," said Harmon. "When Brian is locked in and determined to do something, there's no stopping him. You see how he goes about preparing for a race and see what he does during the race. It's difficult to put anything past him. "
Now can he do it in Shippensburg?
"I'm feeling very confident about myself," said DiCola. "I'm going to prepare and get myself together for a big race in Shippensburg."
Rosser's shocks herself with first-place finish
Villa Joseph Marie junior Marin Rosser never expected to win the javelin. At best, she figured she might earn a trip to the state championship.
Well the junior not only earned a place at the state meet, her toss of 117-8 was the best at the meet.
"I came in looking to do well," said Rosser. "I thought I could make it to the state meet. It was great to see my shot was the best. It's a good feeling."
Rosser also thanked her throwing coach Joe Gala with helping her with the throw.
"She gives me credit but she's the one doing the work," said Gala. "I make a couple of suggestions and she goes out does the work. I'm very proud of her."
Upper Moreland's Lobban sets PR in long jump
Upper Moreland junior Brooke Lobban is showing that she's ready to take on more of a leadership role.
Like a veteran, Lobban took first place in the long jump with a leap of 17-10. The mark set a new personal best for her.
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"It was a nice easy jump for me," said Lobban. "I felt comfortable out there and just just did it. When they told me what I did, it shocked me. I knew it was good, that I had a chance to make the state, but to win it [at the district competition]. It's something that I will remember."
The Golden Bears have done well all season and with performers such as Lobban, expect to hear more from them.
Closing act for Hebron
Sanaa Hebron, who recently signed with the University of Miami, is looking for a big closing act. She's got two places marked in Saturday's second day of action and thinking about a third. Hebron is in the 100 hurdles and 300 hurdles. Rain postponed the results in the 400 hurdles.
"I'm going out, do my best, and see where it lands me," said Hebron, whose father Vaughn is a former NFL running back who broke into the league by playing for the Eagles. He, as usual, was there coaching and rooting his daughter on.
"The competition is good and the people are ready," she said. "I'm trying to get myself in a position to go to state. That's where the best runners are going to be."
Record-breaking moment for Brown
Norristown's Jaden Brown recorded a PIAA District One meet record in the 100-meter dash. Brown ran a 10.57. That bettered the previous record of Upper Perkiomen's Ronnie Gillespie who ran a 10:61 in 2012.