Pearson Takes First in 3,000 Meter Race at Penn Relays

PHILADELPHIA—Cheating a glance at the large scoreboard, Morgan Pearson liked what he saw at the Penn Relays.  Even better, he liked what he didn't see. In the biggest race of his life, the Delbarton senior noticed himself leading the pack of distance runners at one of the most hallowed events in the country, with his decisive move having worked.     

Using that as final motivation, Pearson strode to an upset win in the 3,000-meters Championship of America race late Friday afternoon, emerging from the field of 27 who qualified.      

"It felt good knowing [I was ahead], but I didn't want it to go to my head," said Pearson, who won the race by slightly more than two seconds. "I knew I had to keep pounding it out. It's an amazing feeling crossing the finish line in first, and to finally achieve something like this."      

Ranked 11th entering the event, Pearson finished with a time of 8:23.34.      

Pearson stayed near the front for the first three laps, with Randolph's Collin Frost, Cary Academy's Thomas Graham (Cary, N.C.) and Martin Hehir, of Washingtonville, N.Y. He made his move with just more than two laps remaining.      

"If [the race] was really fast pace, I was going to go to 600 meters," Pearson said. "If it was slower, I'd probably take it up to 1,000 [before making a move]. For me, I decided on 800, but it more like 850. A gap formed, so I just went through."      

Pearson is the second Delbarton runner to earn a championship at the Penn Relays. Pat Schellberg, now a freshman at the University of North Carolina, took the mile championship last year. Pearson will join his older brother at Duke in the fall.      

"It's my last season as a high school athlete, and I wanted to make it special," Pearson said. "My goal was to win, and I knew I could."    

Pearson was especially gratified after early season tendinitis cost him part of the fall cross-country season. He managed it through physical therapy and ran his first race at the Shore Coaches Invitational on Oct. 2.      

He won the Brown Invitational—a 5,000-meter event—in 15:13, then took the Morris County championship in 15:29.6. At the state meets, Pearson finished second to defending champion Mike Mazzaccaro, of Christian Brothers Academy, in the Non-Public A race, and fifth at the Meet of Champions.      

For his effort on Friday, Pearson received a gold commemorative watch, which he may or may not wear.      

"Maybe somewhere fancy," Pearson said. "Like a dinner or something."  

Results for Event 376: High School Boys' 3000m Championship:

1. Morgan Pearson, Delbarton School (Morristown, NJ), 8:23.34. 
2. Martin Hehir, Washingtonville (Washingtonville, NY), 8:25.64. 
3. John Murray, Shrewsbury (Shrewsbury, MA), 8:27.00.
4. Thomas Graham, Cary Academy (Cary, NC), 8:28.33.
5. Silas Frantz, Douglas Freeman (Richmond, VA), 8:30.39.
6. Ryan Gil, North Allegheny (Wexford, PA), 8:30.91.
7. Connor Rog, Fairfield Prep (Fairfield, CT), 8:31.22.
8. Matt McDonald, North Hunterdon (Annandale, NJ), 8:32.70. 
9. Edward Owens, Packer Collegiate (Brooklyn, NY), 8:33.49.
10. Kikanae Punyua, Glenelg Country (Ellicott City, MD), 8:33.75. 
11. Collin Frost, Randolph (Randolph, NJ), 8:34.56.
12. Otis Ubriaco, Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake (Burnt Hills, NY), 8:35.10.  
13. Adam Visokay, Albemarle (Charlottesville, VA), 8:35.26.  
14. Mitch Mallory, Wakefield (Raleigh, NC), 8:36.68.
15. Collin Liebold, Gonzaga (Washington, DC), 8:38.91.
16. Dustin Wilson, Chestnut Hill (Philadelphia, PA), 8:39.90.
17. Scott Morgan, Calvary Baptist Day (Winston-Salem, NC), 8:41.49.  
18. Thomas Madden, Skyline (Front Royal, VA), 8:44.33.
19. Thomas Trainer, La Salle College (Wyndmoor, PA), 8:48.13.  
20. Khari Bowen, Monroe Township (Monroe Twp., NJ), 8:48.40.  
21. Robert Rawls, Triton Regional (Runnemede, NJ), 8:49.86.  
22. Matt Nelson Barnegat, (Barnegat, NJ), 8:50.17.
23. Andrew Valenski, Massapequa (Massapequa, NY), 8:50.77.  
24. Chris Garrett, West Johnston (Benson, NC), 8:59.06.