Brentwood athletes excel at early-season invitationals

By: HSSN Staff
Saturday, April 28, 2018 | 1:18 AM

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Track and field is a sport that highlights individual achievements for the most part.

Brentwood coach Mike Cramer believes it's been a team effort on the part of the Spartans this spring.

“I've been lucky to have coached some great teams with great athletes, but this may be one of the hardest working teams I've coached,” Cramer said. “They're one of the nicest groups of students I've had as well, and that's a credit to their parents and the Brentwood community.

“They practice with pride and determination, and the results are showing on the track and in the field on meet days. They've practiced in the snow, rain, wind and, sometimes on the rare occasion, heat. Win or lose, they're improving, and it's so satisfying and fun to watch.”

That pride and determination has been on display in the early part of the season.

Sophomore standout Aaron (A.J.) McPherson made a big splash at the recent Cal Track Carnival at Cal (Pa.).

McPherson won the 100-meter dash (11.2 seconds) and triple jump (42 feet, 3.5 inches), placed third in the long jump (19-2.5), and teamed up with seniors Evan Vickless and John Gomez and junior Nick Czerwien to win the 400-meter relay in 44.23.

McPherson also won the long jump and triple jump at the Mt. Lebanon invite.

“Not much of a surprise; Aaron's picking up where he left off last year,” Cramer said. “Aaron deserves everything he gets as he is one of the hardest workers we've ever had and probably one of the nicest, most polite student-athletes I've coached.”

McPherson qualified for the PIAA championships last year as a member of the Spartans' 400 relay unit. He was a WPIAL finalist in the triple jump, which he said is his strongest event.

“The season has gone better than I expected,” McPherson said. “My goal is to return to states with my 4-by-1 relay team. I have been working on trying to explode more out of the blocks, and extend my phases in the triple jump.”

Another sophomore, hurdler John Milcic, also has made a positive impact on the Brentwood track and field program. Milcic placed third in both hurdles events at Cal.

“John has been a very pleasant surprise,” Cramer said. “We knew he had potential, but he's been very dedicated in practice and has really come into his own in both hurdle events.

“He runs with an edge and the aggressiveness you need to be successful in hurdles. He attacks the hurdles, and it's been fun to see him improve.”

Sophomore Ethan Wright and senior Nathan Mingle round out what appears to be a solid hurdles crew under the guidance of assistant coach Dr. Ian Shortt.

Also for the Spartans, another early-season highlight was provided by Gomez, who took first place in the 200 at the Mt. Lebanon invite

On the girls side, junior Quintasia Streeter has displayed steady improvement in the jumping events. She won the high jump at Cal, clearing 4-10, and finished fourth in the triple jump (31-2.75).

“Quintasia has been inching her way up in the high jump. She is determined to clear 5 feet by WPIALs,” Cramer said. “She's also beginning to understand the nuances of the triple jump, where she's close to 32 feet.”

Streeter was a WPIAL finalist last year in the high jump event.

Another top jumping specialist is junior Natalie Murrio, who corralled third place in the triple jump and seventh in the long jump at Cal.

“Natalie has been working hard in the long and triple jumps,” Cramer said.

The girls' hurdles crew is led by sophomore Adele Sedlar, who finished third in the 100 hurdles at Mt. Lebanon.

One of the leading freshman prospects in the program is Kirsten Gross, who's been impressive in the 400.

“With every varsity race she gets more confidence,” Cramer said. “She's a super hard worker and has a very promising future.”

Two top throwers for the girls team are junior Rebecca Dirling, a WPIAL finalist a year ago in the javelin, and sophomore Mandy Race.

“Rebecca has been impressive in the javelin, and she looks to peak as we approach WPIALs,” Cramer said. “Mandy is just behind her.

“Maddie Travis, who is out for the year with broken finger, would've helped us in both throwing and hurdles.”

Other Brentwood medalists at the Cal Track Festival included Gross (400), sophomore Akir Deng (800), seniors Rachel Milcic (1,600) and Marie Stofesky (3,200), Sedlar (100 hurdles), senior Destinee Kellner (long jump), junior Courtney Cillo (long jump), freshman Abigale Czerwien (triple jump), Dirling (discus, javelin) and Race (discus).

For the boys squad, Gomez (100), sophomores Shashak Gurong (800) and Eddie Gomez (1,600), and freshman Heran Pradham (long jump) were medalists.

Brentwood's girls team also was represented at the meet by sophomore Jensey Perez (100, 200), Cillo (100, 400), senior Julia Walter (100, shot put), Czerwien (100, 200), freshman Willow Sandusky (800), Milcic (1,600), junior Anna Betz (1,600), Stofesky (3,200), Sedlar (300 hurdles), freshmen Cesia Garcia (hurdles), Keara Torrelli (100 hurdles) and Hanaa Ghassa (javelin), Dirling (shot put) and Race (shot put).

Vickless (100), freshmen Qulik Evans (400), Alexander Johnson (800), Mario Richards (800) and Shaine Flanagan (1,600), senior Michael Casey (1,600, 3,200), Mingle (hurdles), Wright (300 hurdles), Pradhan (long jump, triple jump), Czerwien (long jump, javelin), Milcic (discus), sophomore Luke Bauer (discus) and freshman Nicholas Milius (discus, javelin, shot put) also represented the boys team.

All six Brentwood relay units turned in medal-worthy performances, led by first-place finishes in the boys 400 and girls 1,600 relayers.

Cillo, Deng, Streeter and Gross teamed up in the girls race.

Ray Fisher is a freelance writer.