Track and Field Team Wins 2nd Straight Philadelphia Catholic League Championship

The Track and Field team captured its second consecutive Outdoor Track & Field PCL Title (and 3rd championship out of the last 4 years). It also capped a school year in which the Cross Country and Track & Field program won the PCL Triple Crown - winning Cross Country, Indoor and Outdoor Track & Field titles, for only the second time in school history (1997-1998 being the first triple crown).

Not only did the team win the PCL, but it set a Catholic League point total record, scoring an astounding 211 points, to outpace second place Cardinal O'Hara (88 points) and St. Joe's Prep (60 points). The team receive outstanding performances across the board in all events from many team members.

The day began with several big highlights - The trio of Alex Sislo (6-2), Jonathon Squadrito (6-2), and Mike Wells (5-10) placed 1-2-3 in the High Jump. Then the trio of Luke Crawford (12-0), Wells (12-0), and Phil DiFiore (11-6) placed 1-2-3 in the Pole Vault, additionally Matt Keeton placed 5th in the PV (9-6). In the jumps, Alex Sislo's big day continued as he jumped season bests in the Long Jump (22-1) and the Triple Jump (44-4.75) to win both of those events as well earning him Field Event MVPs with 3 wins! In the throwing events the day began with a big 1-3-4 place showing in the Javelin led by PCL Champion Noah Walker (173-1), Tom Fasano (148-2), and again Mike Wells (146-1). Walker placed 2nd in the Shot Put (48-7.75), and Matt McDermott took 5th (43-1). And Walker got his second title of the day in the Discus (132-7). All told, the Field events score a whopping 107 points!

As the Track events began the Explorers had a sizeable point lead, but the runners went out with purpose and took care of business. The track events kicked off with a 3rd place finish in the 300m Hurdles by Zack Beavers (42.50), and was quickly followed by a strong 2nd place finish from the 4x800m team of Frank Livolsi, Mac Costonis, Ed Molloy, and Luke Ullmann (8:10.87). Next, the Explorers received great races rom Charles Headen (10.88) and Winston Eubanks (11.11) to take 1st and 3rd in the 100m. The Mile saw senior Pat Grant use a big kick to capture the PCL title (4:20.37), and sophomore Evan Addison hang on for 6th (4:28.63).

Then, in a race that showed the depth of this La Salle team and the strength of the sprint corps, the Explorers ran a different 4x100 team from their Penn Relays line-up, using Dan Capreri, Kyle Johnson (only member from the Penn team), Joe Ciccimaro, and Alex Sislo and captured the PCL title (43.53)! From there the Explorers received great races from Peter Nelson - 3rd in the 400m (50.05), Mike Becattini and Zack Beavers - 3rd and 4th in the 110m HH (15.84 and 16.95), Evan Addison - 5th in the 800m (1:58.08), Charles Headen and Winston Eubanks - 1st and 2nd in the 200m (22.07 and 22.15), Frank Livolsi and Greg Galbreath - 1st and 6th in the 3200m (9:33.48 and 9:59.06).

The Explorers will continue their post-season this week in the PIAA District XII Championship on Wednesday and Thursday at Germantown Super Site, where athletes will attempt to qualify to the PIAA State Championship which is Memorial Day Weekend at Shippensburg University.