By Tom Robinson, NEPASportsNation.com
CLARKS SUMMIT – Abington Heights got many athletes involved while completing its 14th straight unbeaten Lackawanna Track Conference Division 1 girls season Tuesday, winning a title-deciding showdown with rival Scranton Prep, 99½-50½.
The Comets won their 84th straight, since losing in 2006 season finale, without any girl winning more than one individual event.
“We were very balanced,” coach Mike Ludka said. “We spread it around very much.”
Ellie Smith and Megan Malone led the way.
Each won a sprint along with being part of the team’s two relay wins in the 400 and 1600. Smith won the 100-meter dash and Malone the 200.
Mariel Curra won the 100 hurdles and led off the 400 relay while Marygrace Sabatini won the 400 and anchored the 1600 relay.
The other individual wins came from Gianna Julian (shot put), Lucy Abdalla (long jump), Claire Shoemaker (triple jump) and Anna Scoblick (300 hurdles).
Scranton Prep won 7 of the 15 individual events and 1 of the 3 relays, but Abington Heights built its margin of victory with depth, outscoring the Classics, 50½-9½, by taking second place in 13 of the 15 individual events along with 11½ of the 15 third-place points.
“It’s been so cool because now I have the guy that started it with me,” said Ludka, who has added Frank Passetti, the head coach when the streak began, as an assistant this season. “We’re enjoying it together now.”
Rita Collins won the 800 and 1600 while anchoring the winning 3200 relay for Scranton Prep, which entered the season finale tied with Abington Heights for the division lead at 3-0.
Abington Heights is the top-ranked Big School girls team in the Riverfront Sports Super Six Track and Field Power Rankings of District 2 teams. Scranton Prep is fifth.
