Pennridge dominates North Penn

Last season, Pennridge was able to earn an undefeated record in dual meets on their way to an eventual SOL Continental crown.

Wednesday, in their first dual meet of the 2017 outdoor season, they picked up right where they left off. The Rams controlled almost every matchup from start to finish, winning 9 of the 11 total races and beating North Penn 112-38.

“We did well today,” said Pennridge head coach Bob Hosier. “Any time you race North Penn you have to know they’re going to have a good team, so I’m happy with how our kids came out and ran today.”

It was the first meet of the season for both teams, after some inclement weather forced them to move some things around, so for the most part they were just excited to get out on the track and be able to run.

Austin Howell, who is committed to run next season at the University of Iowa, won both the 800m and the 4x400m relay for the Rams, his only events on the day and said it’s important to just get out on the track and get your legs under you in the first meet.

“I felt stiff in that 800 but better in the 4x4,” said Howell. “I was just more relaxed in that 4x4 than the 800 but that’s what these early season meets are for. They just help everyone get out on the track and get past that first run of the year.”

Pennridge dominated a lot of the sprints, but North Penn was able to gain some ground in the distance events.

Junior Brendan O’Toole had himself a long afternoon com-

peting in the 4x800 relay, the 1600m, and the 3200m events.

He finished second in the 1600 with a time of 4:43.64 and first in the 3200 with a 10:04.96 which is impressive, especially when you consider his workload.

“In the mile I think I could have ran better but I was just coming off that 4x8 so I’ll take it for the first meet of the season,” said O’Toole. “Mentally, coming off a race and seeing you’re going up against a fresh opponent there’s a mental aspect to getting past that but I’m happy with how I ran

today.”

Pennridge also won decisively in the field events, ensuring that even though North Penn had made up some ground in the longer distances, they would easily secure the win.

It was a tough afternoon for the Knights, as they were missing a few runners they will need to rely on as the season gets into full swing.

“We didn’t look great out there today but I thought a couple kids, like Brendan O’Toole, Colin Grace, and K.J. Cartwright competed well,” said North Penn head coach Jay Jones. “Pennridge is a tough team, and we weren’t able to come into the meet full strength, and that hurt us too.”