Track: Lady Cardinals Morgan and Holl Qualify for States

The Flying Cardinals didn’t send a huge contingent to the PIAA District One Track and Field championships this past weekend, but they'll still be represented at next week’s PIAA State Championships at Shippensburg University.

Upper Dublin junior Taylor Morgan competed in the 100 meter hurdles, finishing 16^th with a time of 16:36, but it was in the high jump that she truly flew, qualifying for states with a jump of 5 feet 3 inches.

Morgan, who has a personal record of 5’ 8", hit the state mark on her first jump at 5’3” after not missing a jump previously. Her height of 5’3” currently ties her for eighth in qualifying for the championships statewide.

“I am so excited to make states in the high jump," said Morgan. "I know I can jump much higher than I did today, so I am looking forward to it.”

However, Morgan will not be the only member of Upper Dublin's track and field team to be making a trek down the turnpike. Miler Sarah Holl, who qualified for the state meet in Thursday's prelims with a time of 5:06.28, shaved almost two full seconds off her time in the finals and claimed a third place medal.

Holl, who led or had a share of the lead for the 1600-meter final until halfway through the last lap, posted a time of 5:04.69, good for 4th in state qualifying times.

"We went out so fast-- I usually try to just stay in touch with the front of the group," said Holl. "This is such a strong group of girls that I was glad to be in the mix... I tried to kick it at the end but whew-- (eventual winner) Hannah Grossman was really fast."

Holl also expressed excitement about being joined by Morgan at states.

“It will be great having a teammate at states,” said Holl. “We can support each other and hopefully do the same next year.”

The Upper Dublin boys' 4 x 800 relay team finished 18^th with a time of 8:15.67, while their female counterparts finished 27th with a time of 10:11.18.

Francis Ferruxi ran in the boys 3200 meter finishing with a 9:53.08, which was good enough for 18^th place at districts.

 Event 301  Girls 4x800 Meter Relay AAAPreliminaries

 27 Upper Dublin                                       10:11.81 

Event 302  Girls 100 Meter Hurdles AAAPreliminaries

16 Morgan, Taylor            11 Upper Dublin             16.08       

Event 302  Girls 100 Meter Hurdles AAASemi-Finals

13 Morgan, Taylor            11 Upper Dublin             16.38  

Event 304  Girls 1600 Meter Run AAAPreliminaries 

 7 Holl, Sarah               11 Upper Dublin           5:06.28QSQS    

Event 304  Girls 1600 Meter Run AAAFinals 

 3 Holl, Sarah      11 Upper Dublin           5:04.69 SQS    

Event 308  Girls 800 Meter Run AAAPreliminaries

17 Holl, Sarah               11 Upper Dublin           2:21.82

Event 312  Girls High Jump AAA  6 Morgan, Taylor           

11 Upper Dublin          J5-03.00 SQS        

Event 701  Boys 4x800 Meter Relay AAAPreliminaries

18 Upper Dublin                                        8:15.67      

 Event 710  Boys 3200 Meter Run AAA18 Ferruzzi, Francis       

10 Upper Dublin           9:53.08