Becahi 3200 sets relay record

By KATIE MCDONALD
kmcdonald@tnonline.com
Becahi’s boys 3200 relay team ran for a record and broke it last week, qualifying for the PIAA State Track and Field Championships, which is scheduled for this weekend at Shippensburg University.
Jake Hungarter, Rob Leeson, Collin Roszyk and Jon Merwine gathered with their coach, Ralph Yeager, for a prayer and some last minute advice prior to the Class 2A District 11 race last Wednesday at J. Birney Crum Stadium.
“Coach Yeager told us to run for the record,” said Merwine, the anchor. “We had the lead from the gun. Jake never got passed. Rob widened the lead, Collin widened the lead, and I won by 200 meters.”
Although the Hawks had just won district gold, there was still uncertainty about the record, set by Tamaqua in 2001 with a time of 8:07.69.
“I knew I needed 1:57 to break the record. I kept looking at the clock, and by the time I put my head up when I finished, I saw 8:08,” Merwine said.
In reality, Merwine finished at 8:07.09. In addition, officials at the meet had originally thought the record was 7:52 because they were looking at Class 3A stats.
“When we found out, everyone went wild,” said Merwine.
The Becahi senior also won district gold in the 1600 (4:31.67) and the 800 (1:59.51).
In the 1600, Merwine planned to stay with another runner who had a comparable time, but that runner fell behind.
“Another kid had 100 meters on me, so I sprinted the last lap, bolted as fast as I could, and passed him. It was definitely a fun race,” he said.
By the time the 800 was about to begin, Merwine was not only exhausted, but had the added stress of knowing he would be competing against his teammate, Hungarter, a junior.
“I was scared because Jake usually goes out like an animal, and he did. I was in sixth place in the second lap, but I moved up and just kicked,” said Merwine. “We never ran against each other in any other races. I kept thinking, I’m a senior, this is my last district meet, I’ve got to win this race.”
Hungarter placed second, and also qualified for the state meet.
Other state qualifiers for the Hawks were Kelly Brown (shot put), Alyssa Cardillo (long jump), Sarah Peppe (pole vault), Annie Aaroe (800), Sarah Braun (1600), Rachel Balogh, Cait Moroney, Aaroe, and Cardillo (1600 relay), and Aaroe, Braun, Balogh, and Jenny Schadt (3200 relay).