Career Tribute . . . Bishop McDevitt Track Coach Paul Poiesz

Philadelphia High School

Track A Look at

Paul Poiesz' 25-Year Coaching Career At Bishop McDevitt High in Wyncote, PA (1981-2005)

This page includes stories,

team scores/places in championship meets, key performers for championship teams

and yearly winners in championship meets during Coach Poiesz' 25 seasons.

To provide additions/corrections:

. .

Thanks!

Star sprinter Travis Sellers in late 1980s | Star pole vaulter Sean Seraphin in mid 1990s

Paul Poiesz -- INDIVIDUAL WINNERS IN CHAMPIONSHIP MEETS -meet record (T-tie) 100 Al Fennel, 10.8 1982 Aaron Baskerville, 10.88 1990 Will Wright, 11.14 1996 Julian Edwards, 11.23 2004 200 Al Fennel, 22.1 1982 Travis Sellers, 22.41 1988 Travis Sellers, 22.29 1989 Aaron Baskerville, 21.98 1990 Julian Edwards, 22.55 2004 400 Travis Sellers, 49.42 1988 Travis Sellers, T48.38 1989 Terence Wiggins, 49.07 1992 Dan Smith, 49.44 1993 Remus Furr, 48.12 1999 Julian Edwards, 49.0 2004 800 None Mile David Smith, 4:25.65 1990 3200 None High Hurdles Christian Ford, 15.03 1987 Curtis Wright, 15.58 1989 John Stuart, 14.54 1991 John Stuart, (14.1 in trials) 1991 Jamal Love, 14.89 1992 Bill Ring, 14.89 1993 Sean Seraphin, 14.96 1995 Leonard Mason, 14.54 1997 Lamar McPherson, 15.56 2003 Intermediate Hurdles Al Fennel, 39.2 1982 Christian Ford, 55.7 1987 Jeff Wade, 55.9 1988 Steve Spencer, 54.9 1991 High Jump John Stuart, 6-4 1991 Robert Georges, 6-1 1999 Long Jump Mark Dianno, 21-10 1985 Jamal Love, 21-10 1/2 1992 Leonard Mason, 21-9 1/2 1997 Robert Georges, 20-8 1/4 2000 Ben Monroe, 20-1 1/4 2001 Triple Jump Kevin Howard, 42-9 1987 Leonard Mason, 45-5 1/4 1996 Leonard Mason, 44-9 1997 Robert Georges, 44-6 1999 Robert Georges, 44-1 1/4 2000 Bren. Donahue, 42-4 1/2 2004 Pole Vault Kevin Sykes, 13-6 1982 John Suskie, 13-6 1988 Matt Payne, 12-6 1992 Sean Seraphin, 15-0 1994 Sean Seraphin, 14-6 1995 Eric Fries, 12-6 2001 Eric Fries, 13-0 2002 Cornelius Merlini, 12-6 1981 Shot Put Tom Craney, 51-8 1/2 1982 Steve Morris, 51-8 1986 Phil DiMaria, 50-10 3/4 1988 Rick Williams, 57-7 3/4 1995 Fred Hanes, 55-5 1997 Discus Tom Craney, 159-4 1982 Eric Householder, 129-1 1/2 1987 Eric Householder, 143-8 1/2 1988 Chris Westerman, 145-0 1995 Fred Hanes, 148-2 1996 Fred Hanes, 170-0 1997 Tim McLaughlin, 141-3 1998 Brent Ryan, 126-11 2000 Javelin Mike Vesey, 161-11 1983 Tom Taylor, 175-10 1985 Tom Taylor, 192-3 1/2 1986 Dan Taylor, 191-11 1987 Phil DiMaria, 196-0 1988 John Taylor, 198-3 1990 John Taylor, 224-0 1991 Chris Westerman, 193-1 1994 Pat Loughney, 192-2 1995 Matt Moyer, 170-11 1998 Matt Moyer, 197-4 1999 Matt Moyer, 212-0 2000 Andrew Fries, 185-4 2003 | INDIVIDUAL WINNERS | IN CHAMPIONSHIP MEETS | -meet record (T-tie) | | 100 | | Al Fennel, 10.8 | 1982 | Aaron Baskerville, 10.88 | 1990 | Will Wright, 11.14 | 1996 | Julian Edwards, 11.23 | 2004 | 200 | | Al Fennel, 22.1 | 1982 | Travis Sellers, 22.41 | 1988 | Travis Sellers, 22.29 | 1989 | Aaron Baskerville, 21.98 | 1990 | Julian Edwards, 22.55 | 2004 | 400 | | Travis Sellers, 49.42 | 1988 | Travis Sellers, T48.38 | 1989 | Terence Wiggins, 49.07 | 1992 | Dan Smith, 49.44 | 1993 | Remus Furr, 48.12 | 1999 | Julian Edwards, 49.0 | 2004 | 800 | | None | | Mile | | David Smith, 4:25.65 | 1990 | 3200 | | None | | High Hurdles | | Christian Ford, 15.03 | 1987 | Curtis Wright, 15.58 | 1989 | John Stuart, 14.54 | 1991 | John Stuart, (14.1 in trials) | 1991 | Jamal Love, 14.89 | 1992 | Bill Ring, 14.89 | 1993 | Sean Seraphin, 14.96 | 1995 | Leonard Mason, 14.54 | 1997 | Lamar McPherson, 15.56 | 2003 | Intermediate Hurdles | | Al Fennel, 39.2 | 1982 | Christian Ford, 55.7 | 1987 | Jeff Wade, 55.9 | 1988 | Steve Spencer, 54.9 | 1991 | High Jump | | John Stuart, 6-4 | 1991 | Robert Georges, 6-1 | 1999 | Long Jump | | Mark Dianno, 21-10 | 1985 | Jamal Love, 21-10 1/2 | 1992 | Leonard Mason, 21-9 1/2 | 1997 | Robert Georges, 20-8 1/4 | 2000 | Ben Monroe, 20-1 1/4 | 2001 | Triple Jump | | Kevin Howard, 42-9 | 1987 | Leonard Mason, 45-5 1/4 | 1996 | Leonard Mason, 44-9 | 1997 | Robert Georges, 44-6 | 1999 | Robert Georges, 44-1 1/4 | 2000 | Bren. Donahue, 42-4 1/2 | 2004 | Pole Vault | | Kevin Sykes, 13-6 | 1982 | John Suskie, 13-6 | 1988 | Matt Payne, 12-6 | 1992 | Sean Seraphin, 15-0 | 1994 | Sean Seraphin, 14-6 | 1995 | Eric Fries, 12-6 | 2001 | Eric Fries, 13-0 | 2002 | Cornelius Merlini, 12-6 | 1981 | Shot Put | | Tom Craney, 51-8 1/2 | 1982 | Steve Morris, 51-8 | 1986 | Phil DiMaria, 50-10 3/4 | 1988 | Rick Williams, 57-7 3/4 | 1995 | Fred Hanes, 55-5 | 1997 | Discus | | Tom Craney, 159-4 | 1982 | Eric Householder, 129-1 1/2 | 1987 | Eric Householder, 143-8 1/2 | 1988 | Chris Westerman, 145-0 | 1995 | Fred Hanes, 148-2 | 1996 | Fred Hanes, 170-0 | 1997 | Tim McLaughlin, 141-3 | 1998 | Brent Ryan, 126-11 | 2000 | Javelin | | Mike Vesey, 161-11 | 1983 | Tom Taylor, 175-10 | 1985 | Tom Taylor, 192-3 1/2 | 1986 | Dan Taylor, 191-11 | 1987 | Phil DiMaria, 196-0 | 1988 | John Taylor, 198-3 | 1990 | John Taylor, 224-0 | 1991 | Chris Westerman, 193-1 | 1994 | Pat Loughney, 192-2 | 1995 | Matt Moyer, 170-11 | 1998 | Matt Moyer, 197-4 | 1999 | Matt Moyer, 212-0 | 2000 | Andrew Fries, 185-4 | 2003 | Paul Poiesz Tribute Page Paul Poiesz , an alumnus, coached track at Bishop McDevitt for 25

seasons, winning 14 Catholic League championships (two shared, 12 outright).

After shareds in 1982 and 1985, he won his first outright crown in 1986,

thanks in large part to football stars Tom Taylor and Mark Dianno .

Here is that story . . . By Tom

Mahon Bishop McDevitt quarterback Tom Taylor threw exceptionally well, and

wingback Mark Dianno never ran better. And when it was over, the Lancers had

scored 113 points without scoring a touchdown or kicking a field goal. Taylor wasn't tossing a football, but hurling a javelin. And Dianno, who

usually breaks through defensive linemen, instead was breaking the tape at

the finish line. Together, they led Bishop McDevitt to the Catholic League

outdoor track and field championship yesterday at Father Judge High School. Taylor was named the most valuable athlete in the field events, no small

feat when you consider that he only competed in one. However, there was

nothing small about his performance. Taylor hurled the javelin 192 feet, 3

1/2 inches on a day when the guy who finished second - La Salle's Wes

Waninger - managed only 177-6 1/2. Taylor said he should have done better. "I was nervous," Taylor said. "A lot of people said, 'Oh, you're going to

walk away with it,' but there's always that nervousness in competition -

until you get your first couple of throws in. It's just like in football,

where you're nervous until you get that first hit. "I still love football first, but I started throwing (the javelin) as a

sophomore when a guy named Mike Visey, a friend of mine, taught me how to throw it. He said it would probably help develop my arm for football." It did. But it wasn't until McDevitt added a new field events coach to

its staff that Taylor started to develop his arm for the javelin. "When I was a sophomore, I was only throwing 144 and I finished eighth in

the Catholic League," said Taylor, who now is a senior. "But last year I got

a new coach named Bob Supplee and I won it all with a 175. The difference

was a lot of work during the indoor season. "He (Supplee) got me throwing the shot put in the same overhand motion as

you throw a javelin. A shot put weighs 12 pounds and a javelin weighs 1

pound, 12 ounces. That helped develop my arm and helped me go from eighth to

first." But yesterday's success wasn't quite enough for Taylor, who was

disappointed that he didn't break the Catholic League record of 220-9, set

in 1979. "That was my goal coming in," Taylor said. "I just had trouble because

there was a tailwind. I was getting the point of my javelin up and the

tailwind was blowing it right down. That kind of disappointed me. But I'll

go home and think about it and it'll eventually hit me that I'm the best

javelin thrower in the Catholic League. And then I'll smile and I'll be

happy." Another person who will be smiling for quite a while is Dianno, who was

presented with the first annual Jim Henry award from the Maxwell Club as the

best high school football player in the five-county area during the past

season. Dianno won four medals at yesterday's meet. He ran the first leg of the

winning 4 x 100 relay, which finished in 43.25 seconds to break a school

record of 43.3. He finished second in the 110-high hurdles and third in the

long jump and triple jump. The only athlete who had a better day than Dianno was Roman Wallace of

St. James, who placed first in four events and won the most valuable athlete

award for the running events. Wallace, as expected, won the same four events

this year as last: the 100 hurdles (14.72), long jump (22-2 1/4), the 400-

intermediate hurdles (55.50) and the 200-meter dash (22.56). But in the end, it was Dianno's contributions that meant more teamwise,

because St. James, despite Wallace's fine efforts, finished fourth in the

standings. "We knew we'd do well in the Catholic League championships," said Dianno,

"but we didn't know how well. "My goal personally for today was to try to help the team out more than I

did last year. In four events last year I scored 24 points. This year in the

same four events I scored 30 points, so I feel I helped the team a little

more." Dianno, like Taylor, says he is careful not to pay too much attention to

people who tout him as being some kind of super athlete. "A lot of people tell me that I'm a gifted athlete and that I have a lot

of natural talent," Dianno said. "But I've worked very hard. I think that

it's through hard work that you attain the goals that you set. But it wasn't

just my hard work. A lot of other people were involved." One of those people was Dr. John Cionci, the team physician for the

football squad. "I used to be very nervous before track meets and football games and

anything big like that," Dianno said. "But I learned a way to relax. I know

this sounds kind of corny to some people but it's called self-hypnosis. continued right below . . . | CHAMPIONSHIP MEETS Year Place Points 1981 2nd 85 1982 T-1st 85 1983 T-4th 46 1984 12th 15 1985 T-1st 85 1986 1st 113 1987 1st 133 1/2 1988 1st 142 1989 1st 110 1990 1st 107 1991 1st 142 1992 1st 182 1993 2nd 107 1/2 1994 1st 117 1995 1st 130 1996 2nd 131 1997 1st 152 1998 3rd 78 1999 1st 103 2000 1st 97 2001 2nd 95 1/2 2002 2nd 90 1/2 2003 3rd 76 2004 3rd 78 1/3 2005 3rd 69 - KEY PERFORMERS ON CHAMPIONSHIP TEAMS THREE TIMES Kimani Rice 1989-91 Steve Spencer 1989-91 TWO TIMES Mark Dianno 1985-86 Steve Morris 1985-86 Tom Taylor 1985-86 John Suskie 1986, 1988 Christian Ford 1986-87 Mike Thomas 1986-87 Dan Taylor 1987-88 Kevin Howard 1987-88 Phil DiMaria 1987-88 Eric Householder 1988-89 Travis Sellers 1988-89 Aaron Baskerville 1989-90 Andre Conway 1989-90 John Taylor 1989-90 Miguel Conway 1989-90 John Stuart 1990-91 Brendan McDonald 1991-92 Carl Norris 1991-92 Jamal Love 1991-92 Matt Payne 1991-92 Brandon Deters 1994-95 Chris Westerman 1994-95 Ed Hughes 1994-95 Pat Loughney 1994-95 Rick Williams 1994-95 Sean Seraphin 1994-95 Brent Ryan 1999-00 Dan Maha 1999-00 Matt Moyer 1999-00 Robert Georges 1999-00 | CHAMPIONSHIP MEETS | Year | Place | Points | 1981 | 2nd | 85 | 1982 | T-1st | 85 | 1983 | T-4th | 46 | 1984 | 12th | 15 | 1985 | T-1st | 85 | 1986 | 1st | 113 | 1987 | 1st | 133 1/2 | 1988 | 1st | 142 | 1989 | 1st | 110 | 1990 | 1st | 107 | 1991 | 1st | 142 | 1992 | 1st | 182 | 1993 | 2nd | 107 1/2 | 1994 | 1st | 117 | 1995 | 1st | 130 | 1996 | 2nd | 131 | 1997 | 1st | 152 | 1998 | 3rd | 78 | 1999 | 1st | 103 | 2000 | 1st | 97 | 2001 | 2nd | 95 1/2 | 2002 | 2nd | 90 1/2 | 2003 | 3rd | 76 | 2004 | 3rd | 78 1/3 | 2005 | 3rd | 69 | KEY PERFORMERS | ON CHAMPIONSHIP TEAMS | THREE TIMES | | Kimani Rice | 1989-91 | Steve Spencer | 1989-91 | TWO TIMES | | Mark Dianno | 1985-86 | Steve Morris | 1985-86 | Tom Taylor | 1985-86 | John Suskie | 1986, 1988 | Christian Ford | 1986-87 | Mike Thomas | 1986-87 | Dan Taylor | 1987-88 | Kevin Howard | 1987-88 | Phil DiMaria | 1987-88 | Eric Householder | 1988-89 | Travis Sellers | 1988-89 | Aaron Baskerville | 1989-90 | Andre Conway | 1989-90 | John Taylor | 1989-90 | Miguel Conway | 1989-90 | John Stuart | 1990-91 | Brendan McDonald | 1991-92 | Carl Norris | 1991-92 | Jamal Love | 1991-92 | Matt Payne | 1991-92 | Brandon Deters | 1994-95 | Chris Westerman | 1994-95 | Ed Hughes | 1994-95 | Pat Loughney | 1994-95 | Rick Williams | 1994-95 | Sean Seraphin | 1994-95 | Brent Ryan | 1999-00 | Dan Maha | 1999-00 | Matt Moyer | 1999-00 | Robert Georges | 1999-00 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |

INDIVIDUAL WINNERS

IN CHAMPIONSHIP MEETS

*-meet record (T-tie) |

100 |

Al Fennel, 10.8 | 1982

Aaron Baskerville, 10.88 | 1990

Will Wright, 11.14 | 1996

Julian Edwards, 11.23 | 2004

200 |

Al Fennel, 22.1 | 1982

Travis Sellers, 22.41 | 1988

Travis Sellers, 22.29 | 1989

Aaron Baskerville, 21.98 | 1990

Julian Edwards, 22.55 | 2004

400 |

Travis Sellers, 49.42 | 1988

Travis Sellers, T*48.38 | 1989

Terence Wiggins, 49.07 | 1992

Dan Smith, 49.44 | 1993

Remus Furr, 48.12 | 1999

Julian Edwards, 49.0 | 2004

800 |

None |

Mile |

David Smith, 4:25.65 | 1990

3200 |

None |

High Hurdles |

Christian Ford, 15.03 | 1987

Curtis Wright, 15.58 | 1989

John Stuart, 14.54 | 1991

John Stuart, (*14.1 in trials) | 1991

Jamal Love, 14.89 | 1992

Bill Ring, 14.89 | 1993

Sean Seraphin, 14.96 | 1995

Leonard Mason, 14.54 | 1997

Lamar McPherson, 15.56 | 2003

Intermediate Hurdles |

Al Fennel, 39.2 | 1982

Christian Ford, 55.7 | 1987

Jeff Wade, 55.9 | 1988

Steve Spencer, 54.9 | 1991

High Jump |

John Stuart, 6-4 | 1991

Robert Georges, 6-1 | 1999

Long Jump |

Mark Dianno, 21-10 | 1985

Jamal Love, 21-10 1/2 | 1992

Leonard Mason, 21-9 1/2 | 1997

Robert Georges, 20-8 1/4 | 2000

Ben Monroe, 20-1 1/4 | 2001

Triple Jump |

Kevin Howard, 42-9 | 1987

Leonard Mason, 45-5 1/4 | 1996

Leonard Mason, 44-9 | 1997

Robert Georges, 44-6 | 1999

Robert Georges, 44-1 1/4 | 2000

Bren. Donahue, 42-4 1/2 | 2004

Pole Vault |

Kevin Sykes, 13-6 | 1982

John Suskie, 13-6 | 1988

Matt Payne, 12-6 | 1992

Sean Seraphin, *15-0 | 1994

Sean Seraphin, 14-6 | 1995

Eric Fries, 12-6 | 2001

Eric Fries, 13-0 | 2002

Cornelius Merlini, 12-6 | 1981

Shot Put |

Tom Craney, 51-8 1/2 | 1982

Steve Morris, 51-8 | 1986

Phil DiMaria, 50-10 3/4 | 1988

Rick Williams, 57-7 3/4 | 1995

Fred Hanes, 55-5 | 1997

Discus |

Tom Craney, *159-4 | 1982

Eric Householder, 129-1 1/2 | 1987

Eric Householder, 143-8 1/2 | 1988

Chris Westerman, 145-0 | 1995

Fred Hanes, 148-2 | 1996

Fred Hanes, *170-0 | 1997

Tim McLaughlin, 141-3 | 1998

Brent Ryan, 126-11 | 2000

Javelin |

Mike Vesey, 161-11 | 1983

Tom Taylor, 175-10 | 1985

Tom Taylor, 192-3 1/2 | 1986

Dan Taylor, 191-11 | 1987

Phil DiMaria, 196-0 | 1988

John Taylor, 198-3 | 1990

John Taylor, 224-0 | 1991

Chris Westerman, 193-1 | 1994

Pat Loughney, 192-2 | 1995

Matt Moyer, 170-11 | 1998

Matt Moyer, 197-4 | 1999

Matt Moyer, 212-0 | 2000

Andrew Fries, 185-4 | 2003

CHAMPIONSHIP MEETS

Year | Place | Points

1981 | 2nd | 85

1982 | T-1st | 85

1983 | T-4th | 46

1984 | 12th | 15

1985 | T-1st | 85

1986 | 1st | 113

1987 | 1st | 133 1/2

1988 | 1st | 142

1989 | 1st | 110

1990 | 1st | 107

1991 | 1st | 142

1992 | 1st | 182

1993 | 2nd | 107 1/2

1994 | 1st | 117

1995 | 1st | 130

1996 | 2nd | 131

1997 | 1st | 152

1998 | 3rd | 78

1999 | 1st | 103

2000 | 1st | 97

2001 | 2nd | 95 1/2

2002 | 2nd | 90 1/2

2003 | 3rd | 76

2004 | 3rd | 78 1/3

2005 | 3rd | 69

KEY PERFORMERS

ON CHAMPIONSHIP TEAMS

THREE TIMES |

Kimani Rice | 1989-91

Steve Spencer | 1989-91

TWO TIMES |

Mark Dianno | 1985-86

Steve Morris | 1985-86

Tom Taylor | 1985-86

John Suskie | 1986, 1988

Christian Ford | 1986-87

Mike Thomas | 1986-87

Dan Taylor | 1987-88

Kevin Howard | 1987-88

Phil DiMaria | 1987-88

Eric Householder | 1988-89

Travis Sellers | 1988-89

Aaron Baskerville | 1989-90

Andre Conway | 1989-90

John Taylor | 1989-90

Miguel Conway | 1989-90

John Stuart | 1990-91

Brendan McDonald | 1991-92

Carl Norris | 1991-92

Jamal Love | 1991-92

Matt Payne | 1991-92

Brandon Deters | 1994-95

Chris Westerman | 1994-95

Ed Hughes | 1994-95

Pat Loughney | 1994-95

Rick Williams | 1994-95

Sean Seraphin | 1994-95

Brent Ryan | 1999-00

Dan Maha | 1999-00

Matt Moyer | 1999-00

Robert Georges | 1999-00

Dr. Cionci took all the people

in skill positions, the punt returners, quarterbacks and receivers, and he

took us through a course in about an hour and taught us how to do it ourselves. Tom (Taylor)

took it, too, and I think it helped him as well. One game he threw five touchdown passes and broke the school record. "I use it everytime I compete. It helps me slow down my breathing and

block out the crowd noises. It's a heck of an advantage knowing that you can come in and be able to block everything out

and concentrate on what you have to do. I just think it's a great gift." Paul Poiesz, McDevitt's head track coach, doesn't promote self-hypnosis

on the team, but he doesn't knock it, either. "I didn't see where it would hurt," Poiesz said. "It certainly didn't

hurt them in football. Half the battle is the mental aspect, and for those two guys (Taylor and Dianno), it did the trick." NOTES: Steve Morris, who won the shot put (51-8) and Eric Young,

who ran the third leg on the winning 4 x 100 relay, also played for McDevitt's football team . . . La Salle's Ron Bean won the

400 in 49.7 seconds and teammate Seamus McElligott placed first in the mile (4:25.5) and 3,200 meters (9:41.2). The

Explorers also won the 4 x400 relay (3:24.6) . . . Jim Donnelly, of Archbishop Ryan, won the pole vault (13-6). Charles Clark,

of St. John Neumann, won the 100-meter dash in 11.01 . . . Monsignor Bonner's Chris Saddler won the 800 (1:56.6) .

. . The triple jump was won by Father Judge's Steve Hettel (46-6 3/4), and the Crusaders' Jim Hanlon was first in the high

jump (6-foot) . . . Cardinal's Dougherty's Mark Rusas took the discus with a throw of 143-5.

This story was written in 1992 after

Paul steered the Lancers to their eighth straight championship and a record amount of points . . .

By Ted Silary The Penn Relays T-shirt worn yesterday between events by Bishop

McDevitt's Terence Wiggins was proof positive that the devastation had faded. Not so for people's memories. At the trials for the Catholic League track championships last Wednesday,

a 5-year-old boy walked up to Wiggins and blurted, "I saw you on TV. You celebrated too early." Then yesterday at La Salle University, after McDevitt had stormed to a

record 182 points en route to its eighth consecutive outdoor title, its ninth in coach Paul Poiesz's 12 years (seven outrights, "shareds"

in 1982 and '85) and the 13th in school history, a reporter approached Wiggins and said, ''Let's talk Penn Relays. " Wiggins smiled, then noted, "I figured that was coming." On April 25, in front of 38,508 spectators at Franklin Field and Channel

17's cameras, Wiggins was the guy who indeed celebrated too early in the 4 x 400-meter Philadelphia-area championship

relay. He slowed and raised his arms in triumph as he neared the finish line and was nipped by Coatesville's anchor. "I haven't seen many kids cry in my 12 years," Poiesz said. Said Wiggins, good-naturedly: "I wasn't going to bring that up. That's

going to blemish my (hard guy) reputation." In football, Wiggins made the Daily News first-team All-City, then signed

with Boston College to play strong safety. In basketball, he started at forward and averaged 11.6 points. Yesterday, he

won the 400 in 49.07 seconds, took second in the 200 in 22.21, took third in the 100 in 11.13 and finished the meet by

anchoring the Lancers' record-setting effort - 3:19.15; the first three runners were junior Dan Smith, Carl Norris and

junior Calvin Smith - in the 4 x 400 relay. Archbishop Ryan finished second by almost 5 1/2 seconds behind the

winners, so there were no Penn Relays flashbacks. "I took (the Penn Relays loss) pretty hard," Wiggins said. "I cost us the

race. I let the other guys down. "My parents taped it for me. When I got home, my mother chewed me out.

When I went out that night, it seemed like everybody had seen it. I'm friends with mostly everybody at school, so

nobody gave me a hard time. They joked about it, but nobody said anything out of spite. I've seen the tape a few times. As I

watch it, I keep wondering, 'What was I doing? What was I thinking?' " Said Poiesz: "A kid's response is going to be dictated by how he's

treated by his coach and teammates. Everybody treated Terence well and he handled it well. I'm still kind of hissed about the TV

coverage. I thought they were much too harsh, with Terence being a high school kid. He's not getting paid. He's not on

scholarship." Wiggins had plenty of help as McDevitt smashed its own record for points

(142 in '88 and '91; the present scoring system has been in place since '81). Teammate Jamal Love won the 110 high hurdles

(14.89) and long jump (22-10 1/2) and was second in the 100 (11.08). Bill Ring, who will be one of the area's top

quarterback recruits next fall, was second in the javelin (172-1) and high hurdles (14.97) and third in the discus (127-4).

Norris, who is bound for Lock Haven to play wide receiver, was second in the long jump (21-11 1/4) and triple jump

(44-5). Dan Smith ran second in the 400 (49.22) and came back 15 minutes later to place in the 400 intermediate hurdles. McDevitt was so dominant throughout, Poiesz opted to not practice what he

always preaches after his team placed second through fifth in the 100. Although there were eight events remaining, he crowed to no one in

particular, "That oughta do it. " AROUND THE TRACK Archbishop Carroll's Chris Day swept the 100 in 10.97 and the 200 in a

record 21.76 . . . Bonner junior Brendan Benner 4:16.94 in mile, 9:38.2 in 3,200) and La Salle sophomore Paul Maida (50-3

1/2 in shot put, 133-9 in discus) also were double winners in addition to Jamal Love . . . With 82, St. James was second

by 99 points . . . St. James's Bob Paden won the 400 intermediate hurdles in a record 54.94 . . . McDevitt's first

four titles were in '67, '68, '70 and '79.

This story was written in 2000 after

Paul claimed his 14th championship . . .

By Ted Silary If he had stayed with it long enough, Matt Moyer might have appeared on a

sports bloopers tape. Or in an emergency room. Some guys are naturals at the pole vault. Moyer, of Bishop McDevitt High,

was a higher health insurance premium waiting to happen. "I probably landed on the ground more than I did on the mat," he said,

smiling. "I could tell you some great stories. Shooting myself into the standards. Falling off to the side. "One day in practice, I was going down the runway and my pole just

snapped. I fell into the box. . .Nah, I didn't get hurt. It was kind of fun, actually." Nevertheless, it was almost on that very day, in 1998, that Moyer waved

bye-bye to the pole vault and decided to try the javelin. In September, he will start classes at the University of Michigan. Not bad, eh? Struggle at one endeavor. Switch to another. Become

proficient. Earn a scholarship to a prestigious university. What a country. Yesterday, in mist and drizzle at Widener University, Moyer gave a

strong, two-pronged performance as McDevitt compiled 97 points to storm to its 12th Catholic League championship (one shared) in

15 years. Also, the title was the 14th in 20 years for coach Paul Poiesz and the school's 18th total. Cardinal O'Hara (73), Archbishop Ryan (71), West Catholic (70), Father

Judge (68) and Roman Catholic (65) staged a wicked battle for second place, but they were far off the Lancers' pace. Jamal Huff accounted for 40 of West's points, winning the 100 meters

(10.91 seconds), 200 (PR 22.09), 110 high hurdles (14.61) and 400 intermediate hurdles (55.54). West Catholic coach Lenny Jordan said Huff will likely pick among

Nebraska, Miami, Florida State and Temple. The 6-1, 185-pound Moyer captured the javelin with a personal record of

212 feet even. He also took second in the discus (124-7) to teammate Brent Ryan (126-11). Also headlining for the Lancers was East Stroudsburg basketball signee

Robert Georges, who won the long jump (20-81/4) and triple jump (44-11/4) and tied for third in the high jump (5-10). The lone record-breaking effort belonged to O'Hara's Pat Nash, who

clocked 1:52.95 in the 800. Moyer didn't mind the sloppy conditions. "It's strange," he said, "but in the last couple of meets, I've been

doing well in the light rain, or when the ground is wet, at least. I guess that's because the ground absorbs my plant foot better. It

doesn't give me such a jolt." At St. Luke, in Glenside, Moyer divided his springs between track and

baseball (pitcher). He decided to concentrate on track at McDevitt and first dabbled in running and the triple jump, in

addition to the pole vault. He's unsure whether his father, Danny - an energetic, fist-pumping guard

on McDevitt's first CL basketball team in '64 and the longtime PA announcer at Lancer football games - or Poiesz was the one

who suggested a switch to the javelin. "I think it was his dad," Poiesz said. "Whatever, he took to it fast. "I know every year I mention my throwing assistant, Bob Supplee, but he

deserves so much credit. You can have all the talent in the world, but if you don't do things correctly, you're not going

to amount to much. That's where Bob comes in. In Matt and Dan Maha [second in the javelin at 186-0, fifth in the shot put at

112-8], he had very willing pupils. These guys put in the time. Watching videos, going to clinics, etc." Though Moyer tries just as hard in the discus, and might even compete in

that event at Michigan, his love is the javelin. "It's a lot more technical," he said. "And, if you do have a good throw,

they go out there so much farther. They fly! And you know it right away." What Moyer did not know right away was whether he was truly receiving

sincere interest from big-time track programs. "The first letter I got last summer was from Navy," he said. "I didn't

think too much about it. Then, when football season started [he starred at tight end and linebacker for the CL Blue champs],

letters started coming from Nebraska, Georgia Tech. . .30 big schools. "Then Michigan called. I still didn't want to believe it yet. But then

they said to visit and I did and it was, 'Hey, this is true.' Then I signed." Not for the pole vault, of course. --

WINNING RELAYS |

400 Relay |

Mark Dianno | 1986

Christian Ford | 43.25

Eric Young |

Mike Thomas |

Christian Ford | 1987

Ellis Still | 43.3

Brian Quigg |

Mike Thomas |

Curtis Wright | 1989

Aaron Baskerville | 43.28

Kimani Rice |

Travis Sellers |

Leonard Mason | 1996

Levar Talley | 43.25

James Sturgis |

Will Wright |

3200 Relay |

Glenn Nuttel | 1981

Greg McNutt | 08:04.2

Jim McGowan |

Pat Moran |

Tim Goodwin | 1985

Dave Maguire | 08:00.6

Chris Selgrath |

Dave Brady |

Dave Collins | 2002

Mike Smith | 08:07.2

Brendan Trainor |

Mike Woods |

1600 Relay |

*-Meet Record |

Mike Colston | 1981

Greg McNutt | 03:22.8

Jim McGowan |

Mark Simonson |

Miguel Conway | 1989

Aaron Baskerville | 03:22.2

Andre Conway |

Travis Sellers |

Miguel Conway | 1990

Aaron Baskerville | *3:19.44

David Smith |

Andre Conway |

Dan Smith | 1992

Carl Norris | *3:19.15

Calvin Smith |

Terence Wiggins |

Eric Shaw | 2001

Javon Epperson | 03:24.5

Mike Woods |

Tariq Boston |

Abraham Doe | 2004

Andrew Crawford | 03:27.6

Richard Womack |

Julian Edwards |

Andrew Crawford | 2005

Terrell Norton | 03:26.7

Cary Smith |

Julian Edwards |

KEY PERFORMERS IN

CHAMPIONSHIP MEETS ONE TIME Al Fennel 1982 Cornelius Merlini 1982 Kevin Sykes 1982 Mike Colston 1982 Tom Craney 1982 Chris Selgrath 1985 Dave Brady 1985 Dave Maguire 1985 Odell Sanders 1985 Tim Goodwin 1985 Don McNutt 1986 Eric Young 1986 Mark Dianno 1986 Pete Merlini 1986 Silas Blanchard 1986 Steve Morris 1986 Tom Taylor 1986 Brian Quigg 1987 Chris Tarlo 1987 Christian Ford 1987 Dan Taylor 1987 Ellis Still 1987 Eric Householder 1987 Mike Thomas 1987 Rudy Gaspar 1987 Chris Varilla 1988 Glen Naessens 1988 Jeff Wade 1988 John Suskie 1988 Kevin Howard 1988 Phil DiMaria 1988 Curtis Wright 1989 Keith Householder 1989 Travis Sellers 1989 Aaron Baskerville 1990 Andre Conway 1990 Bob Schulz 1990 David Smith 1990 John Taylor 1990 Kimani Rice 1990 Miguel Conway 1990 Steve Spencer 1990 | KEY PERFORMERS | IN

CHAMPIONSHIP MEETS | ONE TIME | Al Fennel | 1982 | Cornelius Merlini | 1982 | Kevin Sykes | 1982 | Mike Colston | 1982 | Tom Craney | 1982 | Chris Selgrath | 1985 | Dave Brady | 1985 | Dave Maguire | 1985 | Odell Sanders | 1985 | Tim Goodwin | 1985 | Don McNutt | 1986 | Eric Young | 1986 | Mark Dianno | 1986 | Pete Merlini | 1986 | Silas Blanchard | 1986 | Steve Morris | 1986 | Tom Taylor | 1986 | Brian Quigg | 1987 | Chris Tarlo | 1987 | Christian Ford | 1987 | Dan Taylor | 1987 | Ellis Still | 1987 | Eric Householder | 1987 | Mike Thomas | 1987 | Rudy Gaspar | 1987 | Chris Varilla | 1988 | Glen Naessens | 1988 | Jeff Wade | 1988 | John Suskie | 1988 | Kevin Howard | 1988 | Phil DiMaria | 1988 | Curtis Wright | 1989 | Keith Householder | 1989 | Travis Sellers | 1989 | Aaron Baskerville | 1990 | Andre Conway | 1990 | Bob Schulz | 1990 | David Smith | 1990 | John Taylor | 1990 | Kimani Rice | 1990 | Miguel Conway | 1990 | Steve Spencer | 1990 | Greg Mills 1991 Jim Bear 1991 John Stuart 1991 Kimani Rice 1991 Mark Zataveski 1991 Steve Spencer 1991 Bill Ring 1992 Brendan McDonald 1992 Calvin Smith 1992 Carl Norris 1992 Dan Smith 1992 Dom Gregorio 1992 Jack Boyle 1992 Jamal Love 1992 Matt Payne 1992 Terence Wiggins 1992 Andy Coyle 1994 Larry Singleton 1994 Ben Payne 1995 Brandon Deters 1995 Chris Westerman 1995 Dedan Tolbert 1995 Ed Hughes 1995 Levar Talley 1995 Pat Loughney 1995 Rick Williams 1995 Sean Seraphin 1995 Brian Rodgers 1997 Davien Ruker 1997 Fred Hanes 1997 John Adams 1997 Leonard Mason 1997 Mike Morris 1997 Rashawn Moore 1997 Ryan Petrucci 1997 Tim Hagarty 1997 Darryl Bond 1999 Remus Furr 1999 Shawn Bullard 1999 Brent Ryan 2000 Dan Maha 2000 Matt Moyer 2000 Robert Georges 2000 | Greg Mills | 1991 | Jim Bear | 1991 | John Stuart | 1991 | Kimani Rice | 1991 | Mark Zataveski | 1991 | Steve Spencer | 1991 | Bill Ring | 1992 | Brendan McDonald | 1992 | Calvin Smith | 1992 | Carl Norris | 1992 | Dan Smith | 1992 | Dom Gregorio | 1992 | Jack Boyle | 1992 | Jamal Love | 1992 | Matt Payne | 1992 | Terence Wiggins | 1992 | Andy Coyle | 1994 | Larry Singleton | 1994 | Ben Payne | 1995 | Brandon Deters | 1995 | Chris Westerman | 1995 | Dedan Tolbert | 1995 | Ed Hughes | 1995 | Levar Talley | 1995 | Pat Loughney | 1995 | Rick Williams | 1995 | Sean Seraphin | 1995 | Brian Rodgers | 1997 | Davien Ruker | 1997 | Fred Hanes | 1997 | John Adams | 1997 | Leonard Mason | 1997 | Mike Morris | 1997 | Rashawn Moore | 1997 | Ryan Petrucci | 1997 | Tim Hagarty | 1997 | Darryl Bond | 1999 | Remus Furr | 1999 | Shawn Bullard | 1999 | Brent Ryan | 2000 | Dan Maha | 2000 | Matt Moyer | 2000 | Robert Georges | 2000 | |

KEY PERFORMERS

CHAMPIONSHIP MEETS

ONE TIME

Al Fennel | 1982

Cornelius Merlini | 1982

Kevin Sykes | 1982

Mike Colston | 1982

Tom Craney | 1982

Chris Selgrath | 1985

Dave Brady | 1985

Dave Maguire | 1985

Odell Sanders | 1985

Tim Goodwin | 1985

Don McNutt | 1986

Eric Young | 1986

Mark Dianno | 1986

Pete Merlini | 1986

Silas Blanchard | 1986

Steve Morris | 1986

Tom Taylor | 1986

Brian Quigg | 1987

Chris Tarlo | 1987

Christian Ford | 1987

Dan Taylor | 1987

Ellis Still | 1987

Eric Householder | 1987

Mike Thomas | 1987

Rudy Gaspar | 1987

Chris Varilla | 1988

Glen Naessens | 1988

Jeff Wade | 1988

John Suskie | 1988

Kevin Howard | 1988

Phil DiMaria | 1988

Curtis Wright | 1989

Keith Householder | 1989

Travis Sellers | 1989

Aaron Baskerville | 1990

Andre Conway | 1990

Bob Schulz | 1990

David Smith | 1990

John Taylor | 1990

Kimani Rice | 1990

Miguel Conway | 1990

Steve Spencer | 1990

Greg Mills | 1991

Jim Bear | 1991

John Stuart | 1991

Kimani Rice | 1991

Mark Zataveski | 1991

Steve Spencer | 1991

Bill Ring | 1992

Brendan McDonald | 1992

Calvin Smith | 1992

Carl Norris | 1992

Dan Smith | 1992

Dom Gregorio | 1992

Jack Boyle | 1992

Jamal Love | 1992

Matt Payne | 1992

Terence Wiggins | 1992

Andy Coyle | 1994

Larry Singleton | 1994

Ben Payne | 1995

Brandon Deters | 1995

Chris Westerman | 1995

Dedan Tolbert | 1995

Ed Hughes | 1995

Levar Talley | 1995

Pat Loughney | 1995

Rick Williams | 1995

Sean Seraphin | 1995

Brian Rodgers | 1997

Davien Ruker | 1997

Fred Hanes | 1997

John Adams | 1997

Leonard Mason | 1997

Mike Morris | 1997

Rashawn Moore | 1997

Ryan Petrucci | 1997

Tim Hagarty | 1997

Darryl Bond | 1999

Remus Furr | 1999

Shawn Bullard | 1999

Brent Ryan | 2000

Dan Maha | 2000

Matt Moyer | 2000

Robert Georges | 2000

Career Tribute . . . Bishop McDevitt Track Coach Paul Poiesz

Philadelphia High School

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