Right on track: Falcons open season with 113-17 win over AG
CONNELLSVILLE – The Connellsville boys had a rousing start to the 2024 season on a rainy, chilly Tuesday afternoon with a 133-17 victory over visiting Albert Gallatin in the opening Section 2-AAA meet.
The Falcons finished first in all 17 events and placed second in all but three individual events.
Speedster Capone Mickens had a strong first outing with first-place finishes in the 100 (11.4) and 200 (24.3). The senior also ran the opening leg on the 400 relay that won in 45.78 seconds.
Mickens was pressed by teammate Major Stash in the 100, but had an easier time with a cushion of a second in the 200. He did not place in the triple jump.
Mickens was satisfied with his first competition of the season.
“It’s probably too early to start posting a time, but I’m happy I won,” said Mickens. “So, I’m just going to better myself by the end of the year and hopefully go to states.”
The Falcons had solid handoffs in the relay considering it was the first meet, but Mickens said he and his teammates have put in the work.
“I actually asked to (run the first leg). I want to start us off to a good start,” explained Mickens. (Mickens and teammate Jayden McBride) go by ourselves after practice and work on our handoffs.”
Mickens runs both sprints, but prefers the 200.
“For me personally, I like the 200. That’s what I’m good at, the curve. Then, I have my getaway speed in the 100,” said Mickens.
Mickens is a senior, so he’s in his last go-around of his high school athletic career. He missed the end of his junior season with an ankle injury.
“I wish I had more time,” said Mickens. “It’s not really putting pressure on my back. It’s just forcing me to better myself.”
The Falcons’ Zach Franks (110 high hurdles, pole vault), Jonah Lindstrom (1,600, 3,200), Kasey Stanton (400, long jump), and Nick Rohal (javelin, discus) all won two individual events. Bryson Edwards (300 intermediate hurdles), McBride (high jump), and Glen Strickler (shot put) had one first-place finish.
Albert Gallatin’s Wyatt Eicher, one of two seniors on the team, finished third in the 400 behind Stanton and the Colonials’ Matt Gaborko, and nearly tracked down Stash in the final leg of the 1,600 relay.
Eicher said being a senior leader isn’t something he necessarily relishes, but understands his role with the young Albert Gallatin squad.
“It’s stressful, sometimes. I’ll run hard. I’ll try and hopefully, they’ll do the same,” said Eicher.
Eicher was looking to post a time in the 400. He finished third with an undetermined time because of a timing issue.
“I wanted to run 56 (seconds). The time messed up, so we’ll never know,” said Eicher, adding, “By the end of the season I want to be around 50 or whatever the WPIAL time is.”