Coatesville, Westtown on fast track at Lower Merion Invitational

LOWER MERION >> Coatesville and Westtown School were on the fast track to victory at Saturday’s Lower Merion Invitational at Arnold Field.

Coatesville senior Makayla Eberly, who has earned a scholasrhip to run for La Salle University next fall, finished first in the 800 meters with a personal best and state-qualifying 2:16.89, in her first race after being sidelined for two weeks with a hamstring injury.

The Coatesville boys won two relays. Senior Jayland Washington, sophomore Erik Kirk, sophomore Aaron Young, and senior Terrance Laird finished with a 42.45 clocking. Coatesville also won the Tom Anderson 4x400 relay as Washington, Kirk, sophomore Charles Brown and Laird clocked 3:27.21. When Laird grabbed the baton for the 4x400 anchor leg, he brought his team from second place to first.

“It came down to pacing myself,” said Laird.

Coatesville track coach Damien Henry was happy with Kirk’s performance, particularly in the 4x100.

“He turned the whole race around,” said Henry. “When he grabbed the baton, he moved us to first.”

The quartet had already qualified for Districts in the 4x100. In the boys’ 100 meter dash, Laird set a new meet record, posting a 10.61 finish. The former meet record of 10.77 was set by Walt Pegues of Central in 2014.

Coatesville senior Maria Ellis won the pole vault, with a 9’6” leap.

“It wasn’t my best jump, but it was OK,” said Ellis, who will pole vault at districts.

In the girls’ high jump, Coatesville sophomore Arianna Eberly finished third with a 5’0” leap.

Other local schools performed as follows:

Westtown

Westtown junior Ethan Gadra won the pole vault 12’0.”

“It was a little cold, but I ended up with a new PR,” said Gadra.

In the girls’ javelin Westtown senior Eunice Jimenez finished first at 101’10.”

In the boys’ 200 meter, sophomore Julian Klenner finished first (22.03).

“I was behind, but then I kicked it in at the end,” said Klenner.

“This was the first time that Julian ran the 200 this season,” said Westtown track coach Bill Stull. “He’s versatile. He’s run a number of other events.”

NOTES >> A number of Chester County teams, including Conestoga and Downingtown West, were originally scheduled to compete at the Lower Merion Invitational, but opted to compete at the West Chester Invitational instead. The West Chester meet was scheduled for Friday night, but it was pushed back to Saturday because of the rain.