Shaler’s Franklin showcases skills in 110 hurdles

By: HSSN Staff
Friday, May 25, 2018 | 12:41 AM

Shaler track coach Jim Ryan didn't want to burn John Franklin out before he could compete in the 110-meter hurdles at the WPIAL Class AAA championships.

So, Ryan eased the hard-working Franklin's workload down the stretch of the regular season.

When the showcase event came, Franklin placed fifth and hit the PIAA qualifying mark by finishing the race in 15.05 seconds.

“It shows the competitor he is to make states,” Ryan said. “We trained him hard early in the year and slowed it down as we got close to WPIALs because we knew he had a chance to reach states. His determination and desire allowed him to succeed and push him to the top.”

Franklin was Shaler's only PIAA qualifier, and he set the standard by having a strong indoor season. He set the school record in the 60-meter hurdles by finishing in 8.51 seconds at the state indoor track championships.

“We pushed him hard,” Ryan said. “He was willing to be pushed hard. He had to be faster and stronger to get to states.”

Senior Michael Battaglia finished 10th in the 300 hurdles with a time of 41.44 seconds, leaving him with the second-best mark in school history in the event. Battaglia also placed 18th in the long jump with a leap of 20 feet, 10½ inches.

Shaler had a few younger athletes who had strong showings at WPIALs. Sophomore Dalton Kalbaugh finished ninth in the 3,200 run with a time of 9 minutes, 52.06 seconds.

“I definitely think he was close to getting there,” said Shaler girls coach Abi May, who also works with the distance runners. “I was battling for him down the stretch. He was in 14th place, then went up to 12th and 10th before he finished ninth.”

Sophomore Cam Mbalo was on the edge of qualifying in the triple jump, placing fifth at 42-9¾. Freshman Mayah Charity dropped her personal best time from 13.03 seconds to 12.95 in the 100 dash to place 14th.

Shaler senior Claire Schreiber also came close to reaching states, placing sixth in the triple jump with a leap of 34-11½.

Seniors Adeline Kubisek and Maura Fisher placed 15th and 16th, respectively. Fisher also finished 15th in the javelin with a throw of 105-0. Lydia Valentine finished 11th in the shot put with a throw of 34-4½.

“I think everyone did well,” May said. “They performed as well as they could.”

Josh Rizzo is a freelance writer.

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