Mounts surge into section lead

With first place in Section Two of the Lancaster-Lebanon League on the line, the girls' track teams from Ephrata and Lampeter-Strasburg were undefeated entering Monday afternoon's pivotal meet.

Understanding the importance of what was at stake, everyone on both squads was being counted on to step up.

Sophomore Dana Haas and junior Brynn Lyons did just that in multiple events for the Mountaineers, who defeated the visiting Pioneers, 82-68, while the L-S boys won, 92-58.

Haas won the 800- and 1,600-meter runs in respective times of 2:30.2 and 5:26, and anchored the 3,200-meter relay team which took first in 10:45.9 for Ephrata (4-0 L-L Section Two, 6-0 overall).

While she was not seriously challenged in the 800, Haas had to come from behind in the 1,600, running against Lampeter-Strasburg freshman Justine Barr, a L-L First Team selection in cross country last fall.

Barr set the early pace, leading the first three laps, before Haas reeled her in and caught up with only 400 meters to go.

Pioneer Justine Barr is overtaken by Ephrata's Dana Haas in the final lap of the 1,600.
Haas won in 5:26.0, while also taking the 800 in 2:30.2.
© Photo courtesy of Deb Grove / Intelligencer Journal

Haas and Barr went stride for stride down the far straightaway entering the final 200 until Haas found another gear and outsprinted Barr (5:28) to the finish.

"I wasn't really expecting to go out and win since I haven't done (the mile) since last year," said Haas afterwards.

"But it was a nice surprise to go out and run with one of the top competitors in the league, so it was a fun day."

Lyons, meanwhile, won two individual events, the 400 meters (1:03.0) and the javelin (116-2), and ran on the winning 1,600 and 3,200-meter relays.

Sophomore Caiti Strausser, sophomore Katie Ream, junior Devon Bauder and Lyons easily won the 1,600 relay in 4:19.9, while the 3,200 team was comprised of Lyons, senior Alicia Harbold, junior Samantha Fink and Haas.

"That was a huge win and it was an emotional day and our girls just hung tough," Ephrata coach John Keller said.

"I knew coming in that Lampeter was going to be tough, and I knew it was going to be one of those right-down-to-the-wire meets, and I have all the respect in the world for that team and their coaching staff."

Freshman Gabby Gehr contributed as well for the Mounts, capturing the 200 meters (28.2) and long jump (15-6.5).

For the Pioneers (3-1-1 Section Two, 5-1-1), Barr went on to win the 3,200-meter run in 12:09.9 after her second-place finish in the 1,600.

Junior Jenna Witmer scored 10 more points for Lampeter-Strasburg in the throws with her winning tosses in the shot put (33-8) and discus (118-8).

"We knew it was going to be a close meet, and it was, for the most part," said Lampeter-Strasburg coach Matt Delfert.

"We expected Ephrata to be tough ... and we had some super performances all across."

The Pioneer boys also stayed unbeaten, pulling away over a shorthanded Ephrata team to improve their Section Two record to 5-0 and their overall record to 7-0.

Lampeter-Strasburg junior Justin Taylor set a school record in the high jump with a leap of 6-8, won the 100 in 11.2 and anchored the 400 relay team's victory in 44.8.

With star senior sprinter and jumper C.J. Wilson out because of a right hamstring strain sustained at the Hempfield Invitational two Saturdays ago, Ephrata (2-2 Section Two, 3-3) could not make up for those lost points.

"I knew for our boys coming in, it would be tough," added Keller.

"Of course, we didn't have C.J., so that's 16 points a meet you're taking away ... I don't know exactly when he's going to be back."

Senior Alex Bippus did sweep the 110 high and 300 hurdles with times of 15.5 and 43.5, but it was not enough to put the Mounts over the top.