District 1 Boys Track and Field: Haverford’s Lawson changes the plan, wins 1,600 run

CALN TWP — Haverford had a simple plan for the Class 3A 4 x 800-meter relay at the District 1 Track & Field Championships on Friday.

The Fords were to run fast enough to qualify for the PIAA Championships but not overly exert themselves, since three of the members of that foursome, Patrick Lawson, Quentin Ryan and Ethan Fingerhut, were entered in the 1,600 later on what turned out to be a hot, steamy day at Coatesville Area High School.

Lawson, though, altered that plan once he got the baton for the anchor leg. He surged ahead down the stretch to give the Fords the victory in 7:53.99, a half-second ahead of Lower Merion.

“I was put in a perfect position by my teammates,” Lawson said. “They set me up right behind the lead and I just hung with them. I went out slower than I normally do, but I knew that I could take it.”

The strong anchor leg did not bother Lawson for the 1,600. He finished second there in 4:18.95, a half-second off his personal best to punch another ticket to Shippensburg. Lawson made a move and actually took over first place briefly with about 50 meters to go before Brian DeCoia of Hatboro-Horsham retook the lead to win the event.

“I challenged Brian,” Lawson said. “I know he has a great kick but I had to give it an effort. I was trying to get the double.”

Ryan also pulled off the tough 4 x 800-1,600 double. He ran the third leg of Haverford’s winning relay squad and also took fourth in the 1,600 with a personal best time of 4:20.25 to qualify for the state meet.

“It was a tough double,” Ryan said. “I felt very good for the first three laps (of the 1,600), but then we did like a 60 (second) last lap and I was definitely feeling it in the last 100. With about 30 meters to go I just knew I had to finish. I didn’t have anything left.”

Lawson and Ryan weren’t the only Fords athletes to leave Day 1 with some hardware. Mike Powel threw 56-feet to take second in the shot put and earn a trip to Shippensburg. Powel’s best throw came on his final attempt.

“I’ve dedicated all four years of high school and multiple years of middle school to this,” Powel said. “It’s just nice to see everything pay off.”

Those efforts are paying off for the Fords, too. Haverford leads the team competition after the first day with 31 points, five points ahead of Hatboro-Horsham.

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Haverford High's Michael Powel threw 56 feet for second place in the Class 3A shot put at the District 1 Track and Field Championships at Coatesville Area High School Friday. (Pete Bannan - MediaNews Group)