Mike Vukovcan In preparation for their section opener next week against New Castle, the Hopewell High School Track and Field Team took on Riverside, Freedom and Western Beaver in a scrimmage Monday afternoon.
Because it was just a scrimmage, the meet wasn’t scored but Coach Jeff Brunton and Hopewell used this as opportunity for his athletes to have a ‘dress rehearsal’ and to get their feet wet leading up to the New Castle meet next Tuesday.
“It was a pretty good day! Everyone came out healthy,” Coach Brunton tells Vikings Sports Now. “All of our top sprinters are picking up right where they left off last summer.”
Here were some individual highlights from Monday:
-Zach Kovell, Josh Brunton and Emma Palmeri ran similar times in the 100m and 200m as they did in May last year.
-Hopewell’s two WPIAL hurdlers from a year ago graduated but Zach Lucas and Luke McGrail return and turned in solid performances on Monday.
-The Boys 4×100 relay with Nasir Wade, Nick Adams, Kovell and Brunton opened up with a 44.6. That foursome will be making headlines all season as they look to break school records and compete for a WPIAL Championship in AAA.
-Despite the cold temperatures, Hopewell’s throwers and jumpers had good showings. Bryce Ray, Avery Bokor and Adams were the top 3 long jumpers at the scrimmage.
-Hopewell had several guys throw over 100′ with the javelin for the first time. Vinnie Boris, Brody Rock, Mike DiNardo and Colton Baker were all over the century mark and Marlee Page led the girls with an 83-foot throw.
-Brody Rock led Hopewell in the shot put and Dom Gaughan led the Vikings in the discuss.
-Coach Brunton also added that a few athletes stood out to him in the distance races and that they’ll be performers that will be able to help them out this season. Antony Flitcraft, Charlie Houston, Madi Inderelst, Keira Mann and Caylee Sundy all had strong workouts.
Great start Hopewell and good luck this upcoming season!
