North Rockland Finally Completes Distance Medley Trifecta


Through no fault of their own, the Penn Relays wheel was the one thing that eluded a North Rockland DMR team that captured a National Record back in 2016.  Philadelphia has strict rules about Middle Schoolers competing at the High School level, and as such, the Penn Relays only allows athletes to compete for four years.  It is why you sometimes are missing some notable Jamaican athletes (who have an extra year in HS), as well as some squads from New York.

Well, North Rockland went on to win an Outdoor National Title that year, then graduate two important legs of the relay.  Still, they managed to come back and win another Indoor National Title, despite losing their National Record earlier in the season.  With anchor Katelyn Tuohy and middle-leg Haleigh Morales now in High School, the Penn Relays was the last of their unfinished business.


Leadoff Alex Harris was able to watch her future college, Villanova, win the College DMR just moments before.  With the baton in her hand, she lead off in front of the entire field, the fastest 1200m split of the day with a 3:32.67.  Passing to Sophia Housman, who split 58.47.  Morales picked up the stick on the 800m leg, and was faced with a rapidly closing gap.  Granville of Ohio was coming up on her shoulder, but Morales knew she had to just give the baton off in contention.

Splitting 2:23.26, the baton went to Katelyn Tuohy.  The freshman reestablished the lead, putting some distance in front of Granville.  The pace never lingered, as the announcers made it clear there were some serious anchors well in chase.  Behind Tuohy, Patriots' Rachel McCarthur was splitting 4:43 for the 1600m, while Padua's Lydia Olivere was going 4:45.06.  That kind of action would push them to second and third, but Tuohy held on.  With the mission accomplished, Tuohy crossed the line at 4:50.73 for her leg, capturing her first Penn Relays title.  Behind her, Kelsey Chmiel split 4:49.97, to bring Saratoga to 5th.

With this win in 12:45.11, North Rockland achieves the DMR trifecta, capturing an Indoor National Title, a Penn Relays Title, and an Outdoor National Title.  They will most likely attempt to defend their Outdoor National Title this June, therefore pushing the feat to a single school calendar year,