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The Central York girls' track team burst onto the 2012 scene Tuesday afternoon with an impressive display of speed.
Whether they were sprinting, hurdling or grinding out distance runs, there was no catching the Panthers.
Central won every one of the 11 track events during its season-opening meet to score a 91-58 victory over South Western. The Panthers racked up 71 points on the track, just 41/2 points short of the number needed to win the overall meet.
South Western captured the boys' meet, 801/2-691/2.
"They're a buzzsaw," South Western head coach Bruce Lee said of the Central girls. "There aren't too many Centrals out there."
The Panthers return a group of talented athletes this year from last year's
"We only graduated one point-scoring senior," Central coach Chris Detwiler said. "The girls are really strong, although there were still some places we struggled in the field again with South Western."
There were no struggles on the track.
Jazzmyn Jules and Megan Lundy won two individual events apiece for the Panthers. Jules swept the 100 and 300 hurdles, and Lundy captured the 200 and 400 dashes.
"I was very pleased with my times," Jules said. "The first meet of the season, I wasn't expecting my best, but I did PR (personal record) in the 300 hurdles with a :48.7. Yesterday was really windy, I was happy that it wasn't windy today."
Jules began her hurdles career in middle school.
"I didn't do really great," she said. "But I came out in high school, tried it and finally succeeded in it. Last year, things really started to come together, and I think it was the greater competition, plus I was more in shape and working out more."
Jules plans to attend the Art Institute of Philadelphia. Lundy will join teammate Khaddisha Arnold at Shippensburg University. Arnold won the 100 in Tuesday's meet.
"Bri Fells, our teammate from last year, is there
Lundy hopes that Tuesday's victory will build momentum for the rest of the season as the Panthers seek to secure another Division I title.
"People come out here the first day (of practice), and they're really excited to get on the track," she said. "They're excited to start up with the program again. It really helps that everyone has such a great attitude."
Lundy will attempt this season to do something rare: win an event four straight years at the York-Adams Championships. She captured the 400 as a freshman, sophomore and junior.
"I would love to claim that again," she said. "It would mean a lot to me."
First, though, Lundy will do everything she can to help Central repeat as Division I champion.
Boys' meet: Meanwhile, South Western's boys began their quest for a Division I crown by defeating Central despite not having the services of sprinting star Mike Felton.
Felton, who earned an NCAA Division I football scholarship to Temple, wasn't 100 percent (hamstring problem), and Lee decided to sit him out.
"I thought about running him in one race, but then I thought I'm going to do what's best for the kid," he said.
Felton was on hand to encourage his teammates, who rose to the occasion.
Ryan Hertzog turned in an amazing performance on the track for the Mustangs, winning the 800, 1,600 and 3,200 runs, along with anchoring the victorious 3,200 relay team. The junior ran four miles altogether, and not exactly at a leisurely pace.
"Ryan Hertzog was a horse for us today," Lee said. "He's matured so much as an athlete, and he's so strong. I've come to expect that kind of effort from Ryan. I don't demand it, but I expect it."
Jeremy Loughlin added victories in the shot put and javelin for the Mustangs.
Jay Stone won the 110 and 300 hurdles for Central.
The Panthers built up a 53-34 advantage on the track, but South Western came out on top in the meet by dominating in the field, 46.5-16.5, including one-two-three sweeps in the shot put and triple jump.
OTHER BOYS' TRACK
YORK TECH 105, YORK CATHOLIC 53: At Spry, Jeremiah Gilbert (110 hurdles, triple jump), Cody Lehr (400 run, long jump) and Kyle Sipe (800 run, pole vault) won two events apiece to pace Tech. Andrew Bowser won the javelin and discus for Catholic.
YORK HIGH 104, SPRING GROVE 44: York High was led by Joseph Smith (100 hurdles, 200), Martin Torbert (1,600, 3,200) and Jarred Posey (long jump, triple jump), who each took first in two events. Spring Grove's Jason Cavanaugh (300 hurdles), Levi Bentzel (pole vault) and Ben Cregger (shot put) each took first in their events.
EASTERN 102, DOVER 47: At Dover, Jake Kautz led the Golden Knights with individual victories in the high jump, triple jump and long jump. Richard Kyte captured first in the 110 and 300 hurdles. For the Eagles, Devin Glace took first in the 3,200, 800 and 1,600.
RED LION 113, NEW OXFORD 37: At Red Lion, Ryan Knisely and Seth Haight led the Lions to the York-Adams Division I victory by each capturing two individual events. Knisely won the 100 and 400, while Haight won the 200 and high jump.
YORK SUBURBAN 119, KENNARD-DALE 30: At Fawn Grove, Jon Hutchinson and Austin Torres led the Trojans to the York-Adams Division II victory by each capturing two individual wins. Hutchinson won the 110 and 300 hurdles, while Torres won the 100 and 200. For the Rams, Mike Young won the discus and javelin.
OTHER GIRLS' TRACK
YORK TECH 106, YORK CATHOLIC 37: At Spry, Acia Stewart (100 hurdles, 300 hurdles) and Priscila Fernando (100 dash, shot put) each won a pair of events to spark Tech.
SPRING GROVE 106, YORK HIGH 34: The visiting Rockets took first in 13 of 18 events. Spring Grove was led by Abby Richards (100 hurdles, 300 hurdles) and Mel Riley (1,600, long jump), who each took first in two events. York High's Donella Wilson claimed first in the 100 and 200 dashes.
EASTERN 85, DOVER 64: At Dover, Rebecah Delp led the Golden Knights to the York-Adams Division II victory by capturing victories in the 100 and 300 hurdles and high jump. For the Eagles, Kara Funk captured the triple jump, pole vault and 800, while Stephanie Ferry won the shot put and discus.
RED LION 99, NEW OXFORD 51: At Red Lion, Angelica Gonzalez led the Lions to the York-Adams Division I victory by capturing first in the 200, 100 and 300 hurdles. For the Colonials, Jamilla Janneh took first in the triple jump, long jump and high jump.
YORK SUBURBAN 124.5, KENNARD-DALE 19.5: At Fawn Grove, the Trojans received two individual victories from Lauren Shrader (100 hurdles, 300 hurdles), Bri Clark (100, 200), Lily Casaro (800, 3,200), Taylor Landis (triple jump, long jump) and Bethany Miller (high jump, pole vault).
-- Reach Dick VanOlinda at dvanolinda@yorkdispatch.com or 505-5407.
