Track & Field: The 33rd Annual Judge Relays Did Not Disappoint

A perspective of the historic event written by: Father Judge Track & Field Athlete and team Co-Captain Gavin Kelly ‘22.

2022 Father Judge Relays (Photo Gallery by Mark Zimmaro for PSD)

PHILADELPHIA— On Saturday, April 23rd, the 33rd Annual Father Judge Relays started off with a bang as more than 1000 athletes from area high schools displayed their athleticism, spirit, grit and personal bests during the historic event at Father Judge High School.

As the month of April came to an end, there was one thing that all of us from Father Judge High School were looking forward to: The Judge Relays.

Established in 1976 by 1965 Judge graduate, track athlete, coach and Hall of Fame Inductee Joe Valley. Sadly, Valley passed away in March of 2021 but the historic day named in his honor continues. It has turned into one of the top high school meets in the Tri-State area, with teams from as far away as New Jersey and New York competing. Being the event is held on our home track, where our entire team has put in countless laps of hard work, stemming back from the cold winter, this day was our chance to put on a show.

The teams that came to compete are what makes the meet great for everyone. I asked our head coach Mike Leonard, a Father Judge graduate from the class of 2000 how this meet evolved. After its beginning in 1976, it hit its peak of teams in 1996. Unfortunately, due to reconstruction of the school campus in 2005, the relays took a 14-year break. However, in 2019, the relays were brought back. There were also individual events added, moving it away from an all-relay meet.

Father Judge Co-Captain Gavin Kelly in the 3200m (photo/ Father Judge Athletics)

“This year, I was extremely happy to have a lot of returning teams from the previous two meets because that must mean we’re doing something right,” said coach Leonard. “As much as we love the returning teams, we try our best to expand the meet by gaining more teams each year. Ultimately, it's the teams (athletes and coaches) that choose our meet that make it special.”

As an athlete, who competed for the team in all three seasons, I can say that this was one of my favorite meets. With it being one of our last big meets before the postseason, it was a good indicator of where I am at in my fitness level. I also loved seeing all of the Father Judge community come together. It was more than just the athletes, as we had all the parent volunteers to help at the meet. We also had a lot of our alumni come back to watch and help work the event. It is a day that the program looks forward to, past and present. The atmosphere of running on the track that you put all the hard work in and than to get the chance to compete in front of the home crowd is was unreal.

Pictured in the 3200m are Father Judge teammates Mike Carolan (L) and Gavin Kelly (R) (Photo/ Father Judge Athletics)

Michael Carolan, a senior co-captain, and four-year member of the Father Judge team also agreed that it is a great tradition to be a part of. He described it as the “end of an era and one of the final turning points in my high school career.” He talked about how yesterday, it felt like he was a freshman running at the Judge Relays 3200m under the lights, and in one month, he will be graduating.

“It truly felt special to me because it’s shown how much I’ve grown as a runner, and it felt even better running one of my last races on Judge’s track," said Carolan.

Although our high school career is coming to an end, Mike and I are excited to continue our college career running together at Widener University.

An array of talent graced the track at the Judge Relays

There were several Philadelphia Catholic League Teams, as well as District 12 Teams, giving a prelude to the Championship and District meets. There was a total of six meet records broken. Both the girls' and boys' pole vault records were taken down. The boys' pole vault record was set by Dan Munro from Penncrest. The previous record was held for 46 years by Father Judge alumni, and school record holder John Dornish. The girls' pole vault was won by Veronica Vacca from Mount St. Joseph Academy. The boys 3200m record was crushed by local runner Quinn Worrell from Saint Joseph’s Prep. Brad Cantoral from Archbishop Ryan set a personal best and won first place in the 110m hurdles.

The Girls' 100H, 200m Dash, and 300H were all taken down by Neshaminy HS standout and University of Miami commit, Sanaa Hebron. Her 300H time is a US#18. The team title for the girls was awarded to Mount Saint Joseph Academy, winning with 88.5 points, 23.5 points ahead of Haverford Township HS, who took second. The boys' team title came down to the last race, where Archbishop Ryan ended up winning with 54 points, just .5 over Penncrest.

All-in-all 63 teams, more than 1000 athletes, 9 meet records, 20 PA Top 10's, 2 PA # 1's, 6 NJ & 1 NY top 10's, and countless PRs comprised the 2022 Judge Relays.

St. Joseph's Prep Quinn Worrell (video/ Mark Zimmaro for PSD)

Archbishop Ryan's Brad Cantoral PR 15:06 in Hurdles. (video/ Mark Zimmaro for PSD)

Neshaminy HS standout Sanaa Hebron. (Photo/ Zamani Feelings for PSD)

For a complete list of participants and results click here

“I am forever grateful for the experiences that I have had as a student-athlete at Father Judge. The Judge Relays is one of those days that show why we love the sport of Track and Field.

To the younger athletes, enjoy it. Soak in the experiences and the daily process of being the best that you can be. These four years go by way too quick, so make sure to work hard and appreciate it all.

Thank you to all the coaches I have had for bringing out the best in me, and putting on such a phenomenal event.” Gavin Kelly ‘22 Co-Captain Father Judge Track and Field Team.