Holy Ghost boys run Bal-independence streak to 17 New Hope-solebury takes the girls trophy
BucksLocalSports Editor
Jenkintown junior Greg Wagner knocked more than a minute off his previous personal best, finishing first in the Bicentennial Athletic League (BAL) Championships, 12 seconds ahead of Lower Moreland junior and defending District One-AA champion Dan Alexander.
“I thought my start was good; I was able to keep my pace the entire race,” said Wagner, afterward. “rsually, I fall off near the end. I felt like I still had a lot of energy at the end of the race.”
Wagner’s win, taken in a blazing 15:51, along with two additional Jenkintown runners finishing in the top 10 and three in the top 15, helped the Drakes capture the Constitution Division team title with 62 points Oct. 18 under sunny skies at Tyler Park.
Defending Independence Division team champ Holy Ghost Prep made it 17 straight BAL crowns with six of its runners in the top 15 and all seven in the top 20.
Speaking of the Firebirds repeating as BAL champion, Connell said he was not surprised.
“I trust our coaches; they know what they’re doing – 17 years,” he commented. “The pressure’s on to keep [the win streak] going so I’m glad we could get one more year.
“We all did the best we could.”
Alexander shaved more than 30 seconds off his 2011 BAL time and bested his previous PR, despite rolling his ankle on a root a third of the way through.
“He did a great job,” said Alexander, of Wagner’s race. “Even if I didn’t twist my ankle, we would have been neck and neck finishing.
“He got the better of me at the end.”
While the Firebirds finished one-two last year with then-seniors wach Israel and Ryan Horgan taking the top two slots, the Ghost didn’t place any in the top three this year.
Holy Ghost junior Dan Connell clipped 47 seconds off his time in last year’s race, taking fourth place after crossing the line in 16:33.
“We went to a lot of invitationals this season and we got a lot of experience,” said Connell of Firebirds’ 2012 campaign. “I think that’s helped us a lot.”
Devon Prep senior Tom Seykora finished third with his time of 16:17.
HGP juniors Christian Kardish (6th, 16:49) and Jack Linder (9th, 17:21) along with senior Kyle Spielberger (10th, 17:24) helped the Ghost defend its
BAL title with top 10 finishes. Jenkintown senior Hatcher Ballard (5th, 16:36) and junior Jason Lin (8th, 17:15) aided the Drakes, who also repeated as league champ, in their Constitution hopes.
On the girls side, Lower Moreland senior Molly Davies traded her 2011 runner-up slot with New Hope-Solebury junior Alexa Botehlo in crossing the line first at 19:17. Davies knocked 25 seconds off her 2011 time in trading places with Botehlo, who won last year.
“I’m slightly disappointed with how I raced today,” stated Botehlo. “Mentally, I kind of gave up. The first mile, I just didn’t push it enough.”
Botelho added 15 seconds to her 2011 time in taking second this year and leading a group of lady Lion runners to eight of the top 12 places and the team championship with 25 points.
“I’m really proud of all our girls,” said Botehlo. “All the hard work paid off.”
Lower Moreland sophomore Caroline Harmon (19:55) shaved 17 seconds off her 2011 time in finishing third in the girls race, a spot ahead of last year. It helped Lower Moreland’s lady Lions take second in the team standings.
After the race, Botehlo, despite trading places with Davies, looked for the positives she could take from her day at Tyler Park.
“Now, I know where I really need to stay strong in the race and what kind of strategy to use.
“Molly did a great job racing today and she raced in a really smart way.”
With districts coming up Friday at Lehigh, the lady Lion runners have their sights set on states.
“Last year, we were more focused on just having a girls team” commented Botehlo. “This year, it’s more team-oriented so it’s nice to think we could all go to Hershey together.”