For Holden Emery and Ella Derstine, it’s one final honor from their high school.
Both track athletes, who graduated in 2021, have their names on banners in the gym at Central Bucks East.
Emery received his for finishing second at the PIAA Class 3A meet in the 800 meters with a time of 1:53.26.
“Getting a banner wasn’t something I thought about much while I was in high school,” Emery said. “I thought of it maybe a few times, but just in terms of how great it would be. I didn’t think I would actually get one.
“I think it’s really cool that they’re hanging the banners and I’m happy they were able to get around to it. It’s exciting to get my name up there.
“It’s a nice way to end my high school career and a cool way to just have my place at East. It’s nice to be remembered, but it’s also nice to move on and take my track career in new directions.”
Emery is majoring in finance and business analytics while running track at Penn.
“I’m really excited about the upcoming year and the years to come at Penn,” he said. “I’m looking to stay with the 800 meters and I want to flex down to the 500 and up to the mile. The coaching here is great and I think I could excel at any event with them. I want to be a more versatile runner and help the team wherever I’m needed.”
Derstine was the PIAA silver medal winner in the girls Class 3A 300 hurdles in 2021 with her time of 44.84.
“I know the banners aren’t up yet,” said Derstine before the start of the school year at East, “but hopefully they will be soon and when I come home from school, I’ll go back to see mine. It’s very exciting and it will definitely be cool to see it.
“It’s a very nice way to end things at East,” said Derstine, who majors in market innovation and design at Bucknell. “It’s great that it will always be up there and I can go back and revisit it, and that people will look up there and see my name.”
She runs the hurdles and jumps at Bucknell.
“The 400 hurdles are pretty much what I do,” she said.
The banners are part of a bigger project at CB East.
“CB East is excited to recognize Holden Emery, Ella Derstine and other athletes whose recognition has been delayed,” CB East Athletic Director Ryan Kelly said. “I am in the process of working with our coaches on identifying all of the deserving athletes for the various banners we have on display in our gymnasium. My desire is to have this completed by Thanksgiving.”
Join our readers whose generous donations are making it possible for you to read our news coverage. Help keep local journalism alive and our community strong. Donate today.
