Main Line Track Stars Dominate at Lower Merion Invitational

The 35th running of the Lower Merion High School Invitational had some noteworthy highlights. The weather was sunny without humidity; a huge improvement over last year’s rainy conditions. In addition, on Saturday, Upper Perkiomen senior Thomas Flud, Jr. set a new record in the boys’ javelin. His throw of 192-11.00 broke the old LM Invitational record of 189 Ft. 2 inches set by Craig Mahon of Oxford back in 1998.

In addition, a few Main Line track athletes from Lower Merion, Harriton and Conestoga won a few of the events.

Here is a brief look at these first place finishers.

Lower Merion

Lower Merion’s freshman Alex Mazzeo won the boys’ 3200 meter run with a 10:05.41 clocking. Finishing close behind in second place was sophomore Vincent Frankina of Lower Moreland, 10:08.48.

Until that morning, Mazzeo had no plans of competing at the LM Invitational.

“My soccer game got canceled so I entered at the last minute,” said Mazzeo. “I didn’t know what to expect. The end was tough because someone (Frankina) was gaining on me so I pushed it.”

Harriton

Harriton sophomore Ade Lloyd won the boys’ 200 Meter, posting 22:00 seconds.

Lloyd was happy to win, but not with his time.

“I wanted to run sub 22,” said Lloyd.

Jernell Mapp, Head Coach of the Harriton boys’ and girls’ track teams, is confident that Lloyd can do it before the season ends.

“He will have to work on his start and his zest coming around the curve,” said Mapp.

Lloyd will compete in the 200 and the 400 at Districts later this month.

Harriton junior Milan Ramey had a banner day at the Lm Invitational. She won the girls’ 100 Meter Dash, 12.33, and the girls’ 200 meter dash, 24.63. She also finished second in the long jump, 17 ft. 9 inches. She will compete in these three events at Districts.

Ramey was most happy with her 200 meter performance because her finishing time was a new personal best.

“I was trying to get a new PR (personal record) for a long time,” said Ramey. What helped her achieve that goal was being challenged. During the 200,” I saw a shadow moving up behind me,” said Ramey. “That pushed me to run faster.”

The challenger was Great Valley senior Rachel Hubley, who finished second, in 24.84 seconds.

Conestoga

In the boys’ 1600 meter run, Conestoga Pioneers finished 1-2-3. Pioneer senior Aidan Max he, 4:31.48. Finishing second was junior Nathaniel Kluge, 4:31.55, and third was freshman Parker Warkentine, 4:35.66.

“My strategy was to just hang on (stay with the leaders) for the first two laps, and then the third lap give it everything,” said Max.

And when Max saw his two teammates threatening to pass him: “It was exhilarating. That made me push the pace.”

Next year, max will run for Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York.

The Conestoga boys finished first and second in the pole vault.

Conestoga sophomore Patrick Barausky finished first with a 13 ft. 0 inch leap. That leap qualified Barausky for Districts. Barausky’s teammate sophomore Kevin Gares finished second with a 12 ft. 6 inch leap.

To see all the 2023 LM Invitational results, go to https://pa.milesplit.com/meets/517628-lower-merion-invitational-2023/results#.ZFgEQnbMJmk