Cheltenham's Lewis in peak form entering states
Just before John Lewis settled into the blocks last week at the District 1 track and field championships, a race official announced the 800-meter record to the crowd inside Coatesville's stadium.
Just before John Lewis settled into the blocks last week at the District 1 track and field championships, a race official announced the 800-meter record to the crowd inside Coatesville's stadium.
Hong Cho of Wissahickon set the mark of 1 minute, 50.92 seconds in 2011. His record would stand only a few more minutes.
Lewis, a Cheltenham senior headed to Clemson next season, knew that time was within reach.
"When they announced it," Lewis said, "I was like, 'I can definitely get that record.' "
When he crossed the finish line, his unofficial time was announced as 1:48 and change. The official time was 1:49.15.
"It feels amazing because I ran a second personal record," Lewis said. "My PR was 1:50.01, so it feels good that I'm doing something right, and I'm starting early. Last year, I ran that 1:50.01 at the end of the summer. Now, I'm running faster this time around."
And just in time for the state championships this weekend at Shippensburg University, where Lewis will compete in the 800 Friday and the 4x400 relay Saturday.
He will be joined at states by fellow Cheltenham senior Ciara Leonard, who also set a district record last week in the girls' 100-meter hurdles at 13.67 seconds.
State Contenders
The PIAA Track & Field Championships take place Friday and Saturday at Shippensburg's Seth Grove Stadium. Here are some of the top contenders for state gold from District 1 and District 12:
Boys
CLASS AAA
100 meters: Christian Brissett, Cheltenham
110 hurdles: Kornelius Klah, Pennsbury
200 meters: Christian Brissett, Cheltenham; Dan Chisena, Downingtown East
300-meter hurdles: Dave Marrington, Neshaminy
800 meters: John Lewis, Cheltenham
3,200: Jake Brophy, Central Bucks East; Kevin James, Cardinal O'Hara
4x800 relay: Pennsbury, Central Bucks West
4x400: Cheltenham
CLASS AA
4x100: Imhotep Charter, Springfield (Montco)
High jump: Chris Stone, Springfield (Montco)
Pole vault: Chris Stone, Springfield (Montco)
Long jump: Chris Stone, Springfield (Montco)
Girls
CLASS AAA
100 hurdles: Ciarra Leonard, Cheltenham
100 meters: Chanel Brissett, Cheltenham; Dasia Pressley, Pennsbury; Taylor Chapman, Pennridge
200: Dasia Pressley, Pennsbury; Chanel Brissett, Cheltenham
400: McKenna Keegan, Avon Grove; Uche Nwogwugwu
800: Maddie Villalba, Central Bucks West
1,600: Marissa Sheva, Pennridge
4x100: Cheltenham, Norristown, Pennsbury
4x800: Great Valley
4x400: Cheltenham, North Penn, Central Bucks West
CLASS AA
100 hurdles: Markeeta Thomas, Robeson
300 hurdles: Markeeta Thomas, Robeson
1,600: Maddison Landis, Christopher Dock; Alison Carson, Villa Maria
4x100: Robeson, Neumann-Goretti
4x400: Neumann-Goretti, Robeson
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