District 10 sends nine Class 2A 100 sprinters to PIAA track and field meet
SLIPPERY ROCK ― Vincent Feliciano became part of District 10 track and field lore Saturday.
The Mercyhurst Prep sprinter qualified for next weekend's Class 2A boys 100-meter race at the PIAA track and field meet.
Feliciano did so even though he never stood on the podium for that same event at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Despite a ninth-place finish in the overall standings, his time of 11.25 seconds equalled the state-qualifying standard.
That's how fast the district's 2A boys field was.
Feliciano was forced to watch a 100 final in which all eight starters advanced. He took solace that fellow Laker Camden Bryant was the swiftest of them all.
Bryant, who will resume running on The Rock's track when he officially enrolls there this fall, was the gold medalist at 10.81.
"I surprised myself with that time," Bryant said. "It made up for last year when I finished second and saw a picture of me losing (that race). It was nice to come back here and get a win, instead."
A third Lakers also qualified for the PIAA's 2A boys 100. Ja'son Ellman finished fifth at an even 11 seconds.
Harbor Creek (Tyler Storicks and TyShawn Jones) and Oil City (Ethen Knox and DeVaughn Griffin) also advanced two out of that incredible race. North East qualified Jamari Curlett and Lakeview qualified Danick Hinkson.
'Everything was clicking'
Given Mcrcyhurst's showing in the 100, it should have been no surprise Bryant, Ellman and Feliciano joined Jacob Applebee to win Saturday's 2A 400 relay in record time.
The quartet's seed time of 42.52 equalled the district's record, held by Hickory since 2013. They became the first to crack 42 seconds with a combined effort of 41.91.
"I didn't know if we could break 42, but I was hoping for it," Bryant said. "(Saturday), we were fresh and ready to go. Everything was clicking on the handoffs."
Ellman's day didn't end there. He also received a gold medal as the 2A boys long jump titlist (24 feet, 1/2 inch).
More: View results for District 10 track championships, boys tennis and more: May 13-18
Water helped Crozier
Ellman was one of Saturday's three Erie County field winners in small-school disciplines.
Noah Crozier cleared 6-7 in the high jump. His victorious height was four inches loftier than the best attempt for Mercer's Ben Godfrey.
Crozier saw that Saturday's weather forecast at The Rock was for a level of humidity unfamiliar to most district athletes during the regular season. He was right to prepare for that, as water buckets were filled and emptied throughout the meet.
"You've got to stay hydrated a whole day before," Crozier said. "I still liked (Saturday's weather) a lot more than last year, when it rained."
Seneca's Reed Yost also lived up to his status as the favorite for the pole vault. He cleared 14-6 on his best attempt.
No other vaulter exceeded an even 13 feet.
Wins for McLane, McDowell athletes
No county athlete fared better in Class 3A action than Logan Anderson. The General McLane star had three gold medals dangle in front of him by the time the Lancers returned to Edinboro.
Anderson swept the 110 and 300 hurdles with respective times of 14.79 and 38.88. His attempt of 22-8 1/2 in the long jump also held up for first place.
"I've been looking forward to this meet," Anderson said. "I didn't run the times I wanted (for the hurdles), but they were still faster than last year."
McDowell's animated Whitaker brothers, Benny and Leonardo, also were multiple victors Saturday.
Each qualified in the 3A boys 100, with Benny Whitaker first (10.69) and Leonardo Whitaker third (10.82).
"I beat the school record, which is something I always wanted to do," Benny said.
The Whitakers also joined McDowell's other brothers, Deacon and Camden Pierce, to win the 1,600 relay at 3:28.65.
Benny Whitaker became a three-time meet titlist when he finished first for the 200 (22.29).
Corry will have a rooting interest at the state meet thanks to Nolan Carey. His best throw of 172-11 in the javelin easily surpassed the best by McLane's Magnus Lloyd.
The Edinboro University wrestling recruit was the silver medalist at 162-1.
"This is a new thing for me, going to states," Carey said. "It's going to be awesome."
Erie Times-News staff writer Jeff Uveino contributed to this report.
Mike has worked for the Erie Times-News editorial department since 1997 and full time with its sports department since 2004. He was the sports editor for the former Titusville Herald from 1991-93.
This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Male highlights from District 10 track and field meet
