On a recent Saturday morning Devon Prep runners, Matthew McDevitt of Berwyn, James O’Shea of Broomall, John Roth of Elverson and Lucas Watson of Exton, found themselves heading to an indoor track meet that proved to be anything but typical. These members of Devon Prep’s 4 X 800 meter relay team traveled to New York City to participate in the prestigious New Balance Games at the historic Armory (http://www.armorytrack.com/) in the heart of Washington Heights.
More than 5000 high school athletes competed in the Games which took place in the Armory’s New Balance Track & Field Center, a 60,000-square-foot arena with an Olympic caliber track. The Center is widely regarded as one of the premier indoor track and field facilities on the East Coast, as well as in the United States. The Center has become a Mecca for track and field athletes from around the world while serving the students from all five boroughs of New York City.
According to Devon Prep Track & Field Coach Dave Evans, participating in this meet was more about the experience than the race. "I was excited to bring the guys there,” he said. “The Armory is one of the fastest and most historic indoor tracks in the world so I hope it’s something they'll never forget. They had the opportunity to see some of the fastest high school and professional races that will be run in the US this year. “
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James O'Shea, who ran leadoff leg with the fastest split, found the competition exciting and the venue memorable. “It was a great experience running with some of the best high school athletes in the country,” the Devon Prep senior said. “And it was an honor to run at one of the most unique and historic indoor tracks in the world. The atmosphere was amazing."
“We'll definitely be back next year,” Evans continued. “I was happy with the way the team competed. They're all very competitive and they really appreciated the significance of where we were."
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In addition to its renown 200-meter Mondo track, the New Balance Track & Field Center offers all ancillary field stations, a four-sided videotron and seating for 4,000 spectators. The busiest facility of its kind, the Center hosts more than 100 track meets each year as more than 125,000 athletes of all ages participate and visit The Armory annually.
Devon Prep is an independent, Catholic, college preparatory school for young men in grades six through 12 conducted by the Piarist Fathers and located on Philadelphia’s Main Line. The Upper School Athletic Program, which participates in the Bicentennial Athletic League (BAL), offers students the opportunity to participate in the following sports: soccer, golf, basketball, baseball, lacrosse, tennis, indoor track & field, cross country, track & field, and swimming. For more information call 610-688-7337 or visit www.devonprep.com or www.facebook.com/devonprep.
