With temperatures in the mid-40s and wind gusts touching near 30 mph, conditions weren't exactly prime for track records to be broken at Saturday's 13th Bruce Dallas Invitational, held at Cumberland Valley High School.
Athletes were cold and miserable. Times were sub-par. It was a day where records were not meant to be broken.
But someone forgot to send that memo to Lower Dauphin Jeff Groh, a long-distance specialist who chose to showcase his abilities in the 800.
Groh burned his way around the track in 1:56.10 to not only break his school record, but also the meet record of 1:56.33, established by Cumberland Valley's Alex Coburn last season. The Falcons senior was the only male to break a record Saturday.
"It's fulfilling and also a good indicator of how the rest of the season can be," Groh said. "It's my first big meet of the year and to knock down one of my big season goals is encouragement for what's to come."
Teammate Cole Nissley was also a winner for Lower Dauphin, clocking in at 9:40.57 to easily dismantle the field in the 3,200.
Nissley said him and Groh have been waiting four years to show the rest of the state what they're capable of.
"We're really excited, Jeff and I have have been talking about this year since freshman season as the year we take the state by storm," Nissley said. "We want to be strong at Mid-Penns and finish strong at districts and states. We want everyone to know who we are."
Nissley and Groh were just two of seven Mid-Penn entries to take home gold at the invitational, which was won by Coatesville.
Milton Hershey flexed its muscle with a triple jump title from Teniola Oladeji (43-5.25) and relay wins from its 4x100 (44.02) and 4x400 (3:27.38).
"I think we performed really well, it's our first invite of a cold season," Spartans coach Roger Smith said. "I like the mental focus our kids are displaying. We're coming along. Our kids are young, but working hard and we hope to get better each week."
The Mid-Penn's other event winner was Bishop McDevitt junior Tyrone Gibson, the defending District 3-AA champion in the 100 dash. Competing in the same event Saturday, Gibson battled the winds and a talented field to take first in 11.22.
Just like last season when Gibson won districts as an underclassman, he credited Saturday's success to his support system of family and teammates and also the hard work he puts into the sport, like when he runs with a weight vest on.
"It felt good to win, but I'm ready to stay laser-focused on the rest of the season," Gibson said. "I want to keep improving day by day and just keep getting better."
James Buchanan's Peter Hughey rounded out the conference's winners by posting a time of 51.29 in the 400.
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