Third jump the charm for Cheltenham's Bethea at PIAA Track & Field Championships
If this were a Hollywood production, the scene would have been scored with slow yet inspirational music that built toward a stirring crescendo. This, however, was Shippensburg University.
If this were a Hollywood production, the scene would have been scored with slow yet inspirational music that built toward a stirring crescendo. This, however, was Shippensburg University.
But the PIAA Track and Field Championships still had everything a movie needed Saturday, complete with a slow clap as Saahir Bethea prepared for his final attempt in the long jump.
The Cheltenham senior had faulted on his first two tries, so everything was on the line as he strode toward the pit.
"It was just 'spotlight on me,' " Bethea said. "It was just, 'What are you going to do?' Adversity."
All Bethea did was jump 25 feet, 53/4 inches, which earned him the Class AAA title and would have broken a 27-year-old PIAA record if it hadn't been wind-aided.
"I was speechless when I landed," he said. "I didn't know what to expect, honestly. I was just looking at the mark because it looked kind of like my last jump, but the way the crowd sounded . . . all I did after I heard the 25 [announcement] was just scream - so much emotion."
Lifesaver
Without track, John Lewis wouldn't like his chances.
Fortunately for the Cheltenham senior, he need not worry about that right now.
The Clemson-bound Lewis set a state record in the 800 meters (1 minute, 48.72 seconds) and helped Cheltenham capture gold in the 4x400 relay.
"Track basically saved my life because I wasn't really doing anything other than track," he said. "But once I started running and I realized I was really fast, I just told myself to keep working hard and just see how far I can get with it."
Thrice as nice
Paul Robeson senior Markeeta Thomas broke three meet records Saturday, and two just happened to be her own.
She broke her Class AA record in the 100-meter hurdles (14.13) in the semifinals (14.05), and then eclipsed that mark in the finals (14.03).
Her 300-meter hurdle time (41.74) smashed the previous mark (43.00), which was set in 1984 by Debbie Linton of Catasauqua.
"I'm so happy to leave with a bang because that's all I wanted," said Thomas, who will compete at Clemson next season. "My goal was to run 42 seconds today [in the 300], so it was more shocking to run a 41 - so I'm happier with that race than any of my other hurdles."
A satisfying repeat
Avon Grove junior McKenna Keegan trailed North Penn's Uche Nwogwugwu into the last 100 meters before taking control of the Class AAA 400 meters.
Keegan, who won the race as a sophomore, wasn't keen on relinquishing her crown. In the last 50 meters, however, Nwogwugwu closed quickly.
Keegan finished at 54.66 seconds with Nwogwugwu just behind at 54.71.
"I think this one is a lot more satisfying than last year," Keegan said. "It was so much tougher. The competition was so stiff. It was so close coming into the 100. We knew anybody could win."
Nothing left
On a sun-drenched day, Shippensburg's red track must have been scorching hot.
Still, there was Marissa Sheva sprawled on the ground, oozing exhaustion and emotion immediately after winning the Class AAA 1,600 meters in 4:44.73. And the Pennridge senior had no regrets.
"It is physically exhausting," said Sheva, who will play soccer and run track at Penn State. "I felt really comfortable for the first three laps, but that last lap, for all of us, is just guts. It's whatever you can put out there. I knew this was going to be my last race and I didn't want to leave high school track with any regrets."