While the winter break may have paused school for a few weeks, the winter track teams certainly did not slow down. Both the boys’ and the girls’ teams have been working hard in preparation for their weekly meets at Lehigh University.
Girls’

Senior Alyssa Zukowski nearly qualified for the state championships, in the 60 meter hurdles on Friday January 3, at Leigh University.
“I was just thinking push it, push it!” Zukowski said.

The previous state competitor completed the event in 9.66 seconds; one-hundredth of a second slower than the state qualifying time. She hopes to beat her time and qualify this week.
“I need to work on my muscle [strength] and bulk up.” Zukowski said. “I hope to qualify next week.”
Neshaminy athletes also appeared in more distance oriented events later in the meet. Freshman Becca Lehman completed the 800m run in 2 minutes and 46 seconds, securing a 28thplace finish, while junior Natalia Bastida took on the one mile run in 6 minutes 15 seconds.

“It was a really fun experience and I’m excited to compete again next week.”, freshman Becca Lehman said.

Boys’

On Saturday January 3, the boys’ 4×400 meter relay team of R.J Boop, Ben Matzke, Sean Conway and Dave Marrinton took first place. Their time of 3:29.28 gave them a five second lead over Pennridge High School (second place) and also qualified them for the PIAA State Championships in March.

Eric Chapman, a cross country runner in the fall, tackled the 3,000 meter run (approximately 1.8 miles). Chapman’s time of 9:59.39 seconds earned him a seventh place finish.

Senior Dustin Willing completed the one mile run in 4:47.2, a personal best. Although he did not qualify for the Meet of Champions, Willing placed fifth overall, ahead of twenty other athletes.