Big shoes to fill for local track stars

UD’s Madison Langley-Walker was dominant in several events

With the two teams battling it out at districts and states this past spring, it’s not surprising that North Penn and Cheltenham fielded many of the athletes chosen by Montgomery Media for All-Area recognition.

The 3A State Champion Knights had a pair of special runners in Uche Nwogwugwu and Mikaela Vlasic, each of which provided a dynamic, versatile presence for her team.

Nwogwugwu defended her state title in the 400, Vlasic earned a silver in the 800, and both teamed up on two winning relays at the big meet in Shippensburg.

Nwogwugwu, chosen as Athlete of the Year, won a total of three gold medals at states as well as a fifth-place medal in the field (triple jump).

Chanel Brissett was a key piece of the Panthers’ outstanding 4x1 team as well as the area’s best 200-meter runner and 100 hurdler.

The Suburban One League’s American Conference also included standouts from Upper Dublin, Plymouth-Whitemarsh and Wissahickon.

The Cardinals’ Madison Langley-Walker put her many abilities to maximum use this spring, medaling in four events at states, and she was the area’s best in the 300 hurdles, long jump and triple jump. She even captured the state gold in the 300’s.

“(Winning a state title) feels really good,” the junior said.

“Hopefully I can come back and do it again.”

Out of the SOL National, meanwhile, Abington’s Sianni McLeod was a force in both the shot put and discus.

“I just grip it and rip it — a lot of energy,” the senior said. “I try to get a lot of energy behind it, full speed and up.”

Girls Track and Field

All-Area Team Team of the Year: North Penn, 3A State Champions Athlete of the Year: Uche Nwogwugwu, North Penn 100: Jonae Cook, Norristown, PIAA-3A Eighth-Place Medalist, 19.63 200: Chanel Brissett, Cheltenham, PIAA-3A Silver Medalist, 24.72 400: Uche Nwogwugwu, North Penn, PIAA-3A Champion, 53.80 800: Mikaela Vlasic, North Penn, PIAA-3A Silver Medalist, 2:09.33 1,600: Kelly Jawork, Abington, PIAA-3A Fourth-Place Medalist, 4:51.19 3,200: MaryGrace Rittler, Cheltenham, District 1-3A Silver Medalist, 10:51.41 100 hurdles: Chanel Brissett, Cheltenham, PIAA-3A Champion, 13.35 300 hurdles: Madison LangleyWalker, Upper Dublin, PIAA-3A Champion, 42.54 4x100 relay: Cheltenham (Bria Barnes, Giani Fleming, Alexis Crosby, Chanel Brissett), PIAA3A Champion, 46.73 4x400 relay: North Penn (Mikaela Vlasic, Natalie Kwortnik, Jessica Brenfleck, Uche Nwogwugwu), PIAA-3A Champion, 3:46.13 4x800 relay: North Penn (Jenna Webb, Uche Nwogwugwu, Ariana Gardizy, Mikaela Vlasic), PIAA-3A Champion, 9:02.65 Shot Put: Sianni McLeod, Abington, PIAA-3A Fourth-Place Medalist, 41-1.5 Discus: Sianni McLeod, Abington, District 1-3A Bronze Medalist, 122-6 Javelin: Dela Matthew, North Penn, District 1-3A Eighth-Place Medalist, 117-10 Long Jump: Madison LangleyWalker, Upper Dublin, PIAA-3A Silver Medalist, 18-6.75 Triple Jump: Madison LangleyWalker, Upper Dublin, PIAA-3A Silver Medalist, 38-10.75 High Jump: Taylor O’Brien, Plymouth-Whitemarsh, PIAA-3A Silver Medalist, 5-5 Pole Vault: Cala Lejman, Wissahickon, District 1-3A Champion, 11-0

DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA FILE PHOTO Upper Dublin’s Madison Langley Walker flies through the air during the PIAA Championships.

DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA FILE PHOTO North Penn’s Mikaela Vlasic hustles to the finish line during the PIAA Championships.

DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA FILE PHOTO Upper Dublin’s Madison Langley-Walker was selected in three events of The All-Area team.

DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA FILE PHOTO Cheltenham’s Mary Grace Rittler competes in the PIAA Championships.

DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA FILE PHOTO Cheltenham’s Chanel Brissett goes over a hurdle in the District 1 Championships.

DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA FILE PHOTO Taylor O’Brien of Plymouth Whitemarsh was the most dominant high jumper in the area.