McPherson leads talented Brentwood contingent at WPIAL finals

By: HSSN Staff
Friday, May 25, 2018 | 11:00 PM

Aaron (A.J.) McPherson qualified for the state finals in one of the spotlight events in track and field as a sophomore athlete at Brentwood.

McPherson captured third place in the boys 100-meter dash at the WPIAL Class AA track and field championships held May 17 at Baldwin Stadium.

The Brentwood speedster posted a time of 11.28 seconds in securing the PIAA berth.

“Honestly, out of all my events, I am surprised I'd make it to states for the 100 meter,” McPherson said. “I was hoping to qualify for the triple jump, but I made it (to states) and that's all I could ask for.”

McPherson also qualified for the WPIAL meet in two other individual events. He recorded a mark of 20 feet, 3.5 inches in the long jump, and 39-9.5 in the triple jump.

“Aaron did not perform as well as he had hoped in the jumps, but we really wanted him to have fresh legs for the 100 and the relay, which we thought were the best chances for him to move on,” Brentwood coach Mike Cramer said. “Being the third-fastest sprinter in Class AA is a huge accomplishment for a sophomore. If Aaron dedicates himself to improving his upper body strength, he's only going to get better, not just on the track, but in his jumps as well.”

McPherson, additionally, ran a leg on the boys 400-meter relay unit, along with seniors Evan Vickless and John Gomez and junior Nick Czerwien. The Brentwood relayers placed seventh at the WPIAL meet with a 45.18 time.

“They had high hopes coming into the championships,” Cramer said. “They wanted to get back to Shippensburg for a second straight year. They had run the state qualifying time earlier in the year and had progressed throughout the year, but all it takes is one bad handoff and that is what happened. Finishing seventh overall is nothing to sneeze at, but they took it pretty hard.”

Another Brentwood sophomore, John Milcic, was a WPIAL finalist in the hurdles. He finished as a medalist in the 110-meter hurdles by taking eighth place in 16.13.

“John may have been the hardest-working athlete we had this year,” Cramer said. “He was there every day working to get better; his best days are in front of him. To place eighth in the 110's, making the finals in his first attempt, is huge for a sophomore. If he dedicates himself in the weight room, he will be back for more next year.”

Turning to the girls competition, junior Rebecca Dirling landed a medal in the javelin, registering a toss of 117-1 to claim sixth place.

“Rebecca missed qualifying for states by 2 inches,” Cramer said. “I hope it serves as motivation for her to come back and throw the state qualifying distance at the finals next year. She had a great year but she, too, was clearly disappointed.”

Brentwood's girls team also was represented at the meet by freshman Kirsten Gross, in the 400; and junior Quintasia Streeter, in the high jump.

“I was really impressed with Kirsten's confidence and determination,” Cramer said. “We knew she could make the finals when she ran the 400 last year as a eighth grader in her middle school meets. She has a ton of potential. She finished 11th overall. She too was upset she didn't run better at the finals, but to get that experience in her first year is huge.

“And Quintasia made it back to the top 16 — she made it as a freshman as well — which, again, is a great accomplishment in of itself. But her goal was to clear five feet, which she has been close to a few times this year. It wasn't her day. I think if she can get stronger, she can make some noise in the triple and long jump as a senior.”

Cramer and his assistants already are looking forward to the 2019 outdoor season.

“All the (WPIAL) finalists are awesome kids,” he said. “We, as coaches, loved coaching all of them this year and look forward to seeing them reach their full potential in the next few years.”

Ray Fisher is a freelance writer.

Tags: Brentwood