LM’s Viola Wilent Wins National Title as Aces Shine at New Balance Nationals

Lower Merion High School student-athletes delivered a series of standout performances at the New Balance Nationals Outdoor Track & Field Championships, held June 18-21 at Franklin Field in Philadelphia, highlighted by a national championship in the pole vault from Viola Wilent!

Viola cleared 4.10 meters, or 13 feet, 5 1/4 inches, to win the pole vault championship. She finished her outdoor season ranked as the No. 1 vaulter in Pennsylvania, tied for No. 2 in the United States and among the top 30 all-time in U.S. high school history.

Viola also competed in the heptathlon, where her strongest events included the 800-meter run, 100-meter hurdles and 200-meter run. She finished 11th at the championship meet and now ranks seventh all-time in Pennsylvania.

Nick Mazzeo and Alex Mazzeo also turned in historic performances in the 5000-meter run, placing second and third, respectively, with times of 14:27.32 and 14:36.15. Their times now rank as the fifth- and sixth-fastest in Pennsylvania history.

The boys Distance Medley Relay team of Nick Mazzeo, Owen Davis, Greyson Cooke and Alex Mazzeo placed ninth at the championship meet. Their best performance of the season ranks them as the No. 24 fastest high school Distance Medley Relay team of all time in the United States.

Lower Merion’s sprint medley relay team of Kianna Else, Anna Gilboy, Lucy Roper and Paige Evans recorded a strong result as well, placing fifth at the championship meet with a time of 4:03.52. Their performance was the top time among all Pennsylvania schools and ranked 22nd in the country.

Congratulations to Viola and all of Lower Merion’s outstanding student-athletes on an incredible showing on the national stage!