HS TRACK AND FIELD: West Scranton record-setters aim for medal stand at District 2 Championships

At the start of the Robert Spagna Championship meet, West Scranton coaches could be heard shouting words of encouragement as their athletes raced around the track at Scranton Veterans Memorial Stadium.

The Invaders group of Quincy Mosley, Oscar Frometa-Vasquez, Caleb Kane and Seamus Wallace battled with the top-seeded teams in the 3,200-meter relay, which opened the event. When they crossed the finish line, and the massive digital scoreboard flashed 8 minutes, 21.88 seconds, a wild celebration ensued.

The medal-winning performance shattered the school record of 8:39.14 that stood since 1986. It was another goal scratched off the list, which included conquering school marks that stood the test of time.

For Wallace and Mosley, it added an exclamation point to a season where they also claimed individual event school records.

Their performances have been energizing as they prepare for the two-day District 2 Track and Field Championships on Monday and Tuesday. West Scranton will compete in the Class 3A meet.

“That one felt the best to celebrate with my teammates,” Wallace said. “It was great to see Caleb Kane, who has battled some injuries, run as well as he did. He was the most important person in that race.

“That was an awesome experience.”

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Both Wallace and Mosley are multi-sport athletes and honor-roll students at West Scranton.

In the fall, Wallace earned All-Region honors in cross country after winning the District 2 Class 3A gold medal and qualifying for the PIAA Championships.

Mosley starred for the Invaders football team and hauled in 21 passes for 172 yards and a touchdown.

They were teammates on the basketball team.

This spring, Wallace continued his emergence as one of the top distance runners in the Lackawanna Track Conference.

At the Wyalusing Invitational, the sophomore served notice. He conquered the long-standing West Scranton school records in the 1,600 by coming in at 4:27.43 and the 3,200 with a time of 9:41.37. He surpassed the mark of 4:32.74 held by former All-Region distance runner Kevin Donovan from 1987. His 3,200 clocking beat the record of 9:54.24 held by former All-Region runner Paul Fox, also since 1987.

“I was coming into the year, after cross country, knowing that I could have a good track season,” Wallace said. “The goal is still making states. Class 3A is very competitive. The school records were also a priority. I was hoping to get both of them.”

For a good part of the season, Mosley was in pursuit of the school records in the 400 and 800. He ran a personal-best time of 50.92 in the 400, which closed in on the mark of 50.34 set in 2010 by Malcolm Sweeting.

At the Spagna Championships, staying with Montrose’s Nico Christian, who set a meet record in 49.32, Dunmore’s Jacob Costanzo (49.48) and Wallenpaupack’s Bryce Pagano (49.83), Mosley finished fourth and surpassed the record with a time of 50.32.