Mike Vukovcan HOPEWELL TOWNSHIP- The hard work that the Hopewell Girls Track and Field team has put in for months began to blossom in the April sun on Tuesday.
Several girls had long awaited and hard-earned breakthrough performances in the showdown against Blackhawk, pointing to the promise of big things to come.
Senior Madi Inderelst ran the two fastest 800m races of her career – 2:39 in the open 800m, and a 2:34 split in the 4x800m relay- before splitting a courageous 64 second leg in the 4x400m relay that gave Hopewell the lead, and lead to a commanding victory in 4:18:65.
Senior Reese Murray, fresh off the best practice of her career, won the 300m hurdles in 51:07 – a more than 2 second improvement from her previous best. Bri Inderelst charged from behind to take 2nd in the race, passing the Blackhawk hurdler in 3rd by .12 seconds.
Marlee Page won the javelin by nearly 23 feet with a big 90’4″ throw – her first time back over 90′ this season.
Emma DiCicco decided she was left-handed and added nearly a foot to her personal best shot put, managing a 3rd place finish with her 26’6″ heave.
Mia Blakeslee, Lahna Murray, and Harley Hample all cleared 4’6″ in the high jump, matching winning height. Hample also had big personal bests in the 100m (13.90) and 200m (28.80).
Freshman Skylar Elias was a workhorse for the distance squad. She ran on the 4×800 relay, and then also posted personal bests in the 1600m (6:57) and 3200m (15:59).
Senior Emma Palmieri had her typical dominant performance, winning the 100m (12.88), 400m (59.85), and anchoring the 4×100 and 4×400 relays to their season best times.
Junior Maya Richburg found her form in the 100m (13.15) and 200m (28.28) with season best times.
Despite the strong performances, the Hopewell girls did fall in the team score to Blackhawk, 95-51. They will travel to Avonworth next Monday, April 7th for a tri-meet with the Antelopes and the Beaver Bobcats.
