AFS Boys’ & Girls’ Track & Field Score Wins to End 14 Year Losing Streak

Share

May 23rd, 2018 | By Marlo DelSordo

Abington Friends’ Boys’and Girls track-and-field teams ended a 14-year losing streak, with numerous wins for the season.  The Boys’and Girls track-and-field program started in 2004, and never won a meet, against other Friends School League teams. That all changed on April 10, when both teams claimed victories over Westtown School, and the team kept the momentum going by ending the season with championship wins.

Coach Kyle Rankin became the Running Program Director/Head Track and Cross Country Coach at AFS in January of 2016, and has doubled the team’s size. Coach Rankin was a cross-country runner for Germantown Academy in the 1980s.  AFS’ program is the smallest school in the Friends School League and, the only school without a track on campus.

Senior Ace Bibbs had a strong showing  at the  44th Annual Trojan Track Classic held at Wissahickon High School on May 3. He won the High Jump, as well as posting the 2nd highest High Jump recorded by an Independent School athlete in the state of Pennsylvania this year (6’4″). Only Kyle Garland from Germantown Academy has gone higher (6’5″). Bibbs also broke the School Record in the 100 Meter Dash, running 11.21.
 “Prior to this year the our Boys’ and Girls’ team had combined to go 0-110 over those 14 years. Both teams broke those losing streaks this year and our Boys’ team has managed to go 3-1 in the FSL. Twenty-six new School Records have been established over the past two years, 13 this year and, coincidentally, 13  last year, I am so proud of both our teams and their had remarkable seasons,” said Coach Kyle Rankin.
 The AFS’ Boys’ and Girls’ teams ended the season  on a high note at the Friends School League Championships at the George School on May 12, and the Pennsylvania Independent Schools Athletic Association Championship held at Hill School on May 21.

Additional Season Highlights:

  • Co-Captain, 11th grader, Jack Balick ran a School Record in the 800 (1:58.97) at  the PAISAA State Championship on May 21 at the  Hill School. Balick finished 3rd overall, 0.19 seconds behind the winner.
  • Senior Ace Bibbs placed 3rd in the High Jump at PAISAA Championship on Monday. Bibbs set the School Record in the High Jump, 6’4″, last month and won the FSL Championship in the event on May 12.
  • Sprinter  Medley Relay team recorded the fastest time run by any Independent School in the state of Pennsylvania in 2018 at the Central Bucks West Relays last month (3:50.38).
  • Freshman Zaniyyah Ross won the FSL Girls’ High Jump Championship on May 12.

Congratulations to AFS for their game changing season!!!

Captains” (L to R) Madison Tillman, Chase Balick, Sydney Smith, Jack Balick, and Paige Osborne. Captain Cara Tresside is missing from the photo.