Salesianum runner continues distance dominance as team takes win at DIAA championships
LANDOVER, Md. – No one could match the kick of Ethan Walther, the standard bearer of Delaware distance running.
The Salesianum junior, who has set state records in the 800, 1,600 and 3,200 this winter, weathered fast early paces before taking control in the closing laps of the 800 and 1,600 Saturday at the DIAA Indoor Track and Field Championships.
Growing up, perhaps Walther learned how to reach his last gear on runs with his father, Josh, on family trips to Bethany Beach. The only rule was you always had to sprint it in at the end.
"I was ready. I wasn't taking second," Walther said.
The wins were the second and third indoor state meet championships in Walther's career. The 800 was particularly quick. A.I. du Pont's Camerin Williams, who last week ran the fourth-fastest time in state history, took the race out through 600 meters near state record pace. With his kick, Walther tied his record mark of 1:54.90, run in his season-opening race in December at The Armory in New York. Williams and third-place finisher Ian Cain of Caesar Rodney all bested the former meet record.
Walther's performance Saturday gives him confidence much faster times are on the way in postseason meets over the next few weeks and in the spring.
"That 1:54 on tired legs is just not my best," Walther said. "Outdoor, we're looking for under 1:50. I think I can do it."
Walther was one of several standout performers that led Salesianum to its fifth straight team title ahead of second-place Caesar Rodney and third-place Dover. Seniors Jasyn Truitt and Bishop Lane won the 55-meter dash and 400 respectively and combined with Eli Ecret and Jake Portale to win the 4x200.
The most surprising Salesianum win came from junior Jack Grace, who entered the meet ranked fourth in the shot put. On his first attempt, Grace threw 49-10, a personal best by more than 3 feet.
Among the other Sals who placed in individual events were James Kennedy (second in the 3,200 and fourth in the 1,600) and Julian Cherundolo (fourth in triple jump and fifth in long jump).
"Business as usual," Grace said. "We've been on a pretty good run here the last couple of years. We've got great depth across multiple events. ... We have a lot of committed guys, committed coaches. You mix that with some natural talent and good things happen."
Returning from injury, Dover jumper claims triple jump crown
The injury that robbed Jakwon Kilby of two months of his senior football season reads like a laundry list.
Meniscus tear. PCL tear. Hairline fracture in his tibia.
On Monday he had his knee drained in an attempt to reduce swelling. If all goes according to plan, he'll be able to start re-strengthening it soon. But Saturday was all about getting points for the team. So just four months removed from the injury and not close to full strength, Kilby turned in a performance good enough to win the triple jump (46-2) and place fourth in the long jump (21-9).
His sophomore teammate Jaheim Cole, who has also struggled with an injury, placed second in triple jump (45-5) and long jump (22-7).
"This doesn't speak to what they're really capable of," said James Kilby, Jakwon's father and Dover's jumps coach. "They knew what they had to do to win and they sacrificed for the team. ... That's what I'm proud of."
Strength across the board leads Caesar Rodney to second
Caesar Rodney won only one event — the 4x400-meter relay, a team of Aiden Cain, Josh Johnson, Ian Cain and Gabe Harris — but had nine individuals score points in sprints, distance events and field events. The second-place finish is Caesar Rodney's highest indoors since 2011.
"It's a good day to be a Rider," senior Aiden Cain said.
With a personal best of 7.49, Michael Latham won the 55-meter hurdles to become the first indoor state champion in Odessa school history.
Cape Henlopen went 1-2-3 in the pole vault led by Bailey Fletcher's 15-0, the fourth best in state history.
The Saint Mark's team of Connor Gebhardt, Alec Jurgaitis, Brandon Smith and Brian Yeager won the 4x800 in 8:08.44, the fastest time run at the state meet in nine years.
Other individual winners include Smyrna's Elijah Williams (high jump), Archmere's Jack Maister (long jump), Middletown's Anai Burney-Green (200) and Tatnall's Ben Pizarro (3,200).
Contact Brandon Holveck at bholveck@delawareonline.com. Follow him on X and Instagram @holveck_brandon. Follow him on TikTok @bholveck.
This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Delaware indoor track and field 2024: Salesianum continues streak
