Warren girls track coach Mark Sweet is never happy after a loss.
Thursday may be as close as he ever comes to it.
Sweet beamed that he "couldn't be more proud" of his team after the Lady Dragons gave Meadville all it wanted and more in a 72-69 Bulldogs win Thursday at War Memorial Field. Both teams entered the meet unbeaten and Meadville know has control of the Region 3 track standings.
Article Photos
Times Observer photo by Allen Seybert
Breaking away
Warren’s Emily Ashbaugh, right, pulls away from a Meadville competitor while competing in the girls 100-meter hurdles during Thursday’s track & field meet at War Memorial Field.
Things went much smoother for the Warren boys who cruised to a 105-36 victory over the Bulldogs.
But on Thursday, the girls battle of unbeatens took center stage.
"They knew what we had going in and we knew what they had," said Sweet. "It's like a chess match every year we compete against each other. The girls gave me absolutely everything they had today. There's no way I can be disappointed with the way we performed today."
In addition to the wins the team was able to secure, Sweet was also pleased with the shot put effort of Nikki Atkins and the high jump performance of Tori Paris. Both freshman qualified for districts with their distances and Atkins throw of 30 feet and four and a half inches was good enough to win the shot.
Ellis Beardsley was a three-time winner for the Dragons against Meadville, finishing with individual wins in the 800 and 1600 as well in the 4X400 relay with Paige Rimer, Anna Falvo and Sabrina Anderson. Warren's 4X100 relay team of Brooke Armanini, Kaitlyn Levesque, Casey Kulka and Amy Castagnino was also victorious.
Rounding out the Lady Dragons' individual winners were Rimer in the 400 (1:05.58) and Anderson in the 300 hurdles (49.79).
It was an especially dominant day for the Dragon boys who claimed the top spot in all but five events.
Leading the way for Warren were Jordan Willetts, Tanner Rosenberg and Brad Simmons - all of which scored three victories on Thursday.
Willetts won the 100 and 400 before teaming with Rosenberg, Caleb Hultman and Luke Wortman to win the 1600 relay. Rosenberg claimed the 800 as well as the 3200 relay alongside Simmons, Hultman and Christian Harrington while Simmons was victorious in both the one-mile and two-mile events.
Nathan Zigler won twice with wins in the 110 hurdles and long jump, Mark Davis was a winner in the triple jump, Austin Jerman won the javelin and Wortman won the 300 hurdles.
"Just a typical spring day in Warren County," said Warren coach Steve Norris. "I was thrilled with 19-10 with (Nathan) Zigler in the long jump, for just having long jumped his senior year. Brad Simmons and Christian Harrington in the mile and two mile, I was very happy with that. We got a couple kids that had a chance to do some new things. Just an overall team effort. I was totally thrilled."
Both Warren teams (4-0 boys, 3-1 girls) will return to the track Saturday, competing at the annual McDowell Invitational.
Meadville 72, Warren girls 69
100: 1. Sternby (M) 13.06, 2. Anderson (W), 3. Levesque (W)
200: 1. Sternby (M) 27.17, 2. Anderson (W), 3. Bernarding (M)
400: 1. Rimer (W) 1:05.58, 2. Smoulder (W), 3. Morris (M)
800: 1. Beardsley (W) 2:33.18, 2. Rimer (W), 3. Whitney (M)
1600: 1. Beardsley (W) 5:46.02, 2. Volna (M), 3. Whitney (M)
3200: 1. Ziegler (M) 12:45.11, 2. Falvo (W), 3. Vilia (M)
100 hurdles: 1. Kassab (M) 16.10, 2. Lynn (M), 3. Lasecki (W)
300 hurdles: 1. Anderson (W) 49.79, 2. Lynn (M), 3. Lasecki (W)
Long jump: 1. Kassab (M) 16'5, 2. Armaninni (W), 3. Dickson (M)
Triple jump: 1. Kassab (M) 35'8, 2. Lynn (M), 3. Dickson (M)
High jump: 1. Kassab (M) 5'2, 2. Paris (W), 3. Lynn (M)
Shot put: 1. Atkins (W) 30'4 1/2, 2. Smith (M), 3. Sherman (W)
Discus: 1. Smith (M) 82'8 1/2, 2. Yarzabek (W), 3. Lindsay (M)
Javelin: 1. Lindsay (M) 102'8, 2. Owen (W), 3. McCoy (M)
400 relay: 1. Warren (Armanini, Levesque, Kulka, Castagnino) 53.15
1600 relay: 1. Warren (Beardsley, Falvo, Anderson, Rimer) 4:29.35
3200 relay: 1. Meadville
Warren boys 105, Meadville 36
100: 1. Willetts (W) 11.39, 2. Webber (M), 3. Boratyn (M)
200: 1. Webber (M) 24.92, 2. Boratyn (M), 3. Danielson (W)
400: 1. Willetts (W) 53.61, 2. Bablak (W), 3. Matson (W)
800: 1. Rosenberg (W) 2:07.59, 2. Hultman (W), 3. Wortman (W)
1600: 1. Simmons (W) 4:47.34, 2. Harrington (W), 3. Lindeman (M)
3200: 1. Simmons (W) 10:42.65, 2. Harrington (W), 3. McUmber (M)
110 hurdles: 1. Zigler (W) 17.37, 2. Peterson (W), 3. Zavinski (W)
300 hurdles: 1. Wortman (W) 47.41, 2. Zigler (W), 3. Peterson (W)
Long jump: 1. Zigler (W) 19'10, 2. Davis (W), 3. Gedz (W)
Triple jump: 1. Davis (W) 38'3, 2. Schweter (M), 3. Cramer (M)
High jump: 1. Price (M) 5'8, 2. Davis (W)
Shot put: 1. Wickman (M) 41'5 1/2, 2. McNeal (W), 3. Manderfield (W)
Discus: 1. Wickman (M) 102'8, 2. Stewart (W), 3. McNeal (W)
Javelin: 1. Jerman (W) 137'11, 2. Stewart (W), 3. McNeal (W)
400 relay: 1. Meadville 48.85
1600 relay: 1. Warren (Wortman, Hultman, Rosenberg, Willetts) 3:36.88
3200 relay: 1. Warren (Hultman, Harrington, Simmons, Rosenberg)
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Ike boys 85, Oil City 65
Titusville 87, Ike boys 63
Titusville 77, Ike girls 69
Oil City 82, Ike girls 64
Eisenhower boys track coach David Bauer is a happy man after his Knights beat Oil City, and hung with Titusville, for the first time in several years.
"I was really happy," said Bauer after the tri-meet held Thursday at Eisenhower High School. "Titusville usually has a very strong team and we were pretty competitive, and this is the first time in many years we've beaten Oil City.
"Our team has a lot of depth," he said. "Sometimes we don't get first in different events, but some kids seem to be progressing and progressing."
One example, according to Bauer, is Kollin King, who threw 42 feet, nine inches in the shot put to qualify for districts.
"I can't even remember the last time Eisenhower had someone qualify for districts in the shot put," said Bauer.
First-place finishers - in the tri-meet, winning against both schools -included Jake VanHouten in the 300 hurdles, Matt Eernisse in the 200 and as part of the 1600 relay team with Andrew Onoratti, Nathan O'Brien and Ben Perkins. Perkins also won in the pole vault.
The Knights competed on a cinder track at home on Thursday, and compete on Friday at the Southern Tier Invitational in Bolivar, N.Y.
"We have a number of kids just right on the brink (for qualifying for districts)," said Bauer. "So now's the time to get that in."
Eisenhower's girls track team fell to both Titusville and Oil City.
Despite losing to both teams, the Lady Knights kept the scores close and won four events to go alongside multiple runner-up finishes.
Bizz Baran stood out for the Knights, winning both the 400 and 800, and taking second overall in the long jump. Junior Taylor Talasky qualified for districts with her 200 time and also won the 100.
Ike girls track coach Mike Logue was also pleased with Lacey Stanko, who placed third in both the 200 and 400, and Courtney Jewell, who came in third for the triple jump.
Ashley Gruber added a third-place finish in discus while Sidney Wallin, Marion Sherer and Jessica Haskins took home second place in the 100 hurdles, high jump, and javelin, respectively.
Eisenhower boys 85, Oil City 65
Titusville 87, Eisenhower boys 63
3200 relay: 1. Titusville, 9:06.
110 hurdles: 1. Bodamer (T), 17.0, 2. Ragan (O), Boone (O).
100: 1. Ragon (O), 11.9, 2. Bodamer (T), 3 (tie). 3. King (E) and Eernisse (E)
1600: 1. Hazen ((T), 4:58, 2. Phipps (O), 3. Amroski (E)
400: 1. Ernicoff (T), 56.8, 2. Eernisse (E), 3. Perkins (E).
400 relay: 1. Titusville, 48.8
300 hurdles: 1. VanHouten (E), 44.5, 2. Boone (O), 3. Hartman (T)
800: 1. Ciccarelli (T), 2:15.8, 2. Kennedy (T), 3. Knisley (E)
200: 1. Eernisse (E), 5.2, 2. King (E), 3. Rice (O)
3200: 1. Hazen (T), 10:49, 2. Amroski (E), 3. Brunst (T)
1600 relay: 1. Eisenhower (Onoratti, O'Brien, Eernisse, Perkins), 3:52
Pole vault: 1. Perkins (E), 10-0, 2. Leach (T), 3. O'Brien (E)
High jump: 1. Kennedy (T), 5-2, 2. Shine (E), 3. Onoratti (E)
Long jump: 1. Ragon (O), 18-2, 2. Kennedy (T), Cox (O)
Triple jump: 1. Kennedy (T), 38-6, 2. VanHouten (E), 3. Moronski (T)
Shot: 1. Boone (O) 50-6, 2. Hollidge (O), 3. Kline (T)
Discus: 1. Hollidge (O), 150-2, 2. Moon (O), 3. Kline (T)
Javelin: 1. Boone (O) 133-10, 2. Kline (T), 3. Knisley (E)
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Titusville 77, Eisenhower girls 69
Oil City 82, Eisenhower girls 64
3200 relay: 1. Titusville 12:27
100 hurdles: 1. Harris (OC) 19.0, 2. Wallin (E), 3. Last (T)
100: 1. Talasky (E), 2. Owens (T), 3. Hernandez (T)
1600: 1. Henderson (T) 6:03.6, 2. Brunst (T), 3. Marczak (OC)
400: 1. Baran (E) 1:06.9, 2. Ruby (OC), 3. Stanko (E)
400 relay: 1. Titusville 59.1
300 hurdles: 1. Carll (OC) 56.9, 2. King (OC), 3. Kellog (T)
800: 1. Baran (E) 2:48.5, 2. Brunst (T), 3. Marczak (OC)
200: 1. Talasky (E) 28.5, 2. Ruby (OC), 3. Stanko (E)
3200: 1. Henderson (T), 2. Mehlberger (OC), 3. Kaczmarek (T)
1600 relay: 1. Oil City 4:47.5
Long Jump: 1. Davis (OC) 12' 7 3/4, 2. Baran (E), 3. Donze (OC)
High Jump: 1. Owens (T) 4'5, 2. Sherer (E), 3. Chapman (E)
Triple Jump: 1. Davis (OC) 27'7.5, 2. Boocks (OC), 3. Jewell (E)
Javelin: 1. Allen (T) 72'10, 2. Haskins (E), 3. Bolecki (OC)
Shot: 1. Barker (T) 30'1.5, 2. Allen (T), T3. Ochalek (OC), Ames (OC)
Discus: T1. Ochalek (OC), Allen (T) 83'8, 3. Gruber (E)
Pole Vault: T1. Owens (T), King (OC)
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Sheffield boys 118, Johnsonburg 23
Johnsonburg 104, Sheffield girls 28
JOHNSONBURG - Sheffield's boys track team continued its outstanding season Thursday, defeating the visiting Johnsonburg Rams, 118-23, at Johnsonburg High School.
The Wolverines had to settle for a split on the day as the Sheffield girls track team suffered a 104-28 setback.
As the final score may indicate, the Sheffield boys team was dominant, winning nearly all of the track and field events. Kalil Slaughter was again a four-time winner for the Wolverines and teammates Keon VonHendricks and Kwante Johnson won three times each.
Slaughter sprinted his way to a win in the 100 and also teamed with Johnson, Deonte Clay and Kedshon Westry to win the 4X100 relay. In the field, Slaughter won the long jump with a leap of 20 feet, two inches and the high jump by clearing five feet, six inches. Slaughter doesn't regularly compete in the high jump, but claimed the victory anyway.
VonHendricks claimed an individual win in the 400 and was also a member of two winning relay teams. He teamed with Johnson, Evan Jamison and Marc Nadal to win the 4X400 relay and with Nadal, Ryan Johnston and Don Geisler to win the 4X800.
George Fitch was a two-time winner in the field, finishing with wins in the discus and the javelin and teammate Steve Dendy was a two-time winner on the track, sweeping the hurdles events. Shaquille Cousins logged a win in the shot put, Johnson dashed to victory in the 200, Geisler won the mile and Mark Sprandle picked up a win in the triple jump.
"With the meet well in hand like that, we were able to try some different things today," said Sheffield coach Bryan Gould. "Kalil has wanted to try the high jump all year and we were able to let him go at it today. Another bright spot on the day was Kwante Johnson. He won the 200 and qualified for districts in the process which was outstanding."
Morgan Leichtenberger had the lone victory of the afternoon for the Sheffield girls. Leichtenberger won the 100 hurdles with a run of 18.6 seconds. She later added a second-place finish in the 300 hurdles.
Jade Moore had second-place showings in the 200 and long jump, Jen Isenberg was second in the javelin and high jump and Tierra Hansen was second in the shot put.
"Our throwers have improved greatly this season," said Sheffield girls coach Janelle Johnson. "They have come a long way this season."
The Sheffield boys are back in action Saturday at the McDowell Invitational. The Sheffield girls are off until Tuesday when they host Smethport.
Sheffield boys 118, Johnsonburg 23
3200 relay: 1. Sheffield (VonHendricks, Nadal, Johnston, Geisler)
110 hurdles: 1. Dendy (S) 19.21, 2. Grubbs (S), 3. Knarr (J)
100: 1. Slaughter (S) 11.01, 2. Johnson (S), 3. Clay (S)
1600: 1. Geisler (S) 5:24.1, 2. Pierson (S), 3. Hamilton (S)
400: 1. VonHendricks (S) 54.4, 2. Nadal (S), 3. Martonik (J)
400 relay: 1. Sheffield (Clay, Johnson, Westry, Slaughter) 45.52
800: 1. Martonik (J) 2:21.5, 2. Johnston (S), 3. Kinkeay (J)
200: 1. Johnson (S) 23.55, 2. VonHendricks (S), 3. Clay (S)
300 hurdles: 1. Dendy (S) 49.59, 2. Grubbs (S), 3. Knarr (J)
3200: 1. Schriber (J) 11:17.1, 2. Pierson (S), 3. Hamilton (S)
1600 relay: 1. Sheffield (Jamison, Nadal, Johnson, VonHendricks) 3:47.1
Shot put: 1. Cousins (S) 40'2, 2. Fitch (S), 3. Dubler (J)
Discus: 1. Fitch (S) 104'0, 2. Jones (S), 3. Cousins (S)
Javelin: 1. Fitch (S) 119' 8 1/2, 2. Gardner (J), 3. Johnston (S)
Long jump: 1. Slaughter (S) 20'2, 2. Jamison (S), 3. Sprandle (S)
Triple jump: 1. Sprandle (S) 36'9, 2. Gardner (J), 3. Horning (J)
High jump: 1. Slaughter (S) 5'6, 2. Jamison (S), 3. Gardner (J)
Johnsonburg 104, Sheffield girls 28
100 hurdles: 1. Leichtenberger (S) 18.6, 2. Schilk (J), 3. Nelson (J)
100: 1. Fowler (J), 2. Imbrogno (J), 3. Hepler (J)
1600: 1. Guyer (J) 6:22, 2. Polaski (J), 3. Thatcher (J)
400: 1. Wolfe (J) 1:06, 2. Jackson (J), 3. Brandy Rockwell (S)
400 relay: 1. Johnsonburg 59.0
800: 1. D'Angelo (J) 2:48, 2. Polaski (J), 3. Brocklin (J)
200: 1. Aboussou (J) 29.3, 2. Moore (S), 3. Dornish (J)
300 hurdles: 1. Schilk (J) 59.3, 2. Leichtenberger (S)
Shot put: 1. Imbrogno (J) 30'5, 2. Hansen (S), 3. Aboussou (J)
Discus: 1. Dornish (J) 82'10, 2. Imbrogno (J), 3. Isenberg (S)
Javelin: 1. Imbrogno (J) 106'4, 2. Isenberg (S), 3. Benedict (J)
Long jump: 1. Fowler (J) 16'2, 2. Moore (S), 3. Davidson (S)
Triple jump: 1. Doobler (J) 31'6, 2. Hepler (J), 3. Schilk (J)
High jump: 1. Boratyn (J) 4'6, 2. Isenberg (S), 3. Davidson (S)
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Franklin 99, Youngsville boys 51
Corry 97, Youngsville boys 43
Franklin 82, Youngsville girls 64
Corry 95, Youngsville girls 55
CORRY - It wasn't a strong day for the Youngsville track teams Thursday as both the Eagles boys and Eagles girls suffered sweeps at the hands of Corry and Franklin at Corry Area High School.
The Youngsville boys were defeated 99-51 by Franklin and 97-43 by Corry. The Lady Eagles lost to Franklin, 82-64, and to Corry, 95-55.
Rocco Gatta had the strongest day for any Eagle by placing first in all four of his events. Gatta won the 100 in 11.67 seconds, the 200 in 23.72, the 400 in 53.45 and the shot put with a throw of 41 feet and three inches.
Teammate Austin Mechling was the only other Eagle to win an overall first place, defeating all Corry and Franklin competitors in the discus with a toss of 122 feet, six inches.
"We came out on the short end of the team scores, but we had some strong showings," said Youngsville boys coach Jeff Manelick. "Rocco winning all four events was fantastic and Austin (Mechling's) showing in the discus was a personal best and a great improvement."
For the Youngsville girls, Cassi Swartzbaugh was the standout with three victories on the afternoon. Swartzbaugh swept the hurdles, winning the 100 hurdles with a time of 17.27 seconds and the 300 hurdles with a time of 47.18 seconds. She later won the triple jump with a leap of 31 feet, 11 inches.
Lexi Robinault added a Youngsville win in the 800, winning in 2:45.96 and Abbey McLaughlin dashed to victory in the 200 with a run of 28.56 seconds. The Eagles' 4X400 relay team was also victorious.
"Brr... Brr... Brr...," said Youngsville girls track coach John Victor, whose Lady Eagles lost to both Corry and Franklin. "Bigger schools... They had more than we had, but we gave them a gutsy effort."
Victor said Lexi Robinault won in the 800, and the 4X400 team ran well.
"They ran into a headwind today," said Victor.
Both Youngsville teams are back in action Saturday, competing at the McDowell Invitational.
Franklin 99, Youngsville boys 51
Corry 97, Youngsville boys 43
3200 relay: 1. Corry 9:04.37
110 hurdles: 1. Smith (C) 16.68, 2. Ford (C), 3. Lalwani (Y)
100: 1. Gatta (Y) 11.62, 2. Cragg (C), 3. Hajec (C)
1600: 1. Pondel (C) 4:43.1, 2. Danvers (F), 3. Harbaugh (F)
400: 1. Gatta (Y) 53.45, 2. Beggs (F), 3. Liotta (F)
400 relay: 1. Corry 46.75
300 hurdles: 1. Mooney (F) 41.91, 2. Lalwani (Y), 3. Ford (C)
800: 1. Wiler (C) 2:13, 2. Beggs (F), 3. Pondel (C)
200: 1. Gatta (Y) 23.92, 2. Hajec (C), 3. Cragg (C)
3200: 1. Wiler (C) 10:39, 2. Danvers (F), 3. Tomano (C)
1600 relay: 1. Franklin 4:04.58
Long jump: 1. Uber (F) 19'6, 2. Mooney (F), 3. A. Fiorentino (F)
Triple jump: 1. Mooney (F) 39'10, 2. Kennemuth (F), 3. Rash (C)
High jump: 1. Smith (F) 5'4, 2. Rash (C), 3. Ford (C)
Shot put: 1. Gatta (Y) 41'3, 2. Daniels (C), 3. Seeley (C)
Discus: 1. Mechling (Y) 122'6, 2. Daniels (C), 3. Wachter (Y)
Javelin: 1. A. Fiorentino (F) 166'1, 2. N. Fiorentino (F), 3. Wilcox (Y)
Pole vault: 1. Dreese (C) 11'0, 2. Cartwright (F), 3. Tomano (C)
Franklin 82, Youngsville girls 64
Corry 95, Youngsville girls 55
3200 relay: 1. Corry 10:52.21
100 hurdles: 1. C. Swartzbaugh (Y) 17.27, 2. A. Swartzbaugh (Y), 3. Eastman (Y)
100: 1. Conway (F) 13.72, 2. McLaughlin (Y), 3. Weber (F)
1600: 1. Owens (C) 5:52.17, 2. McCray (C), 3. YaSenka (F)
400: 1. Nerlich (F) 1:04, 2. Witt (F), 3. Greer (C)
400 relay: 1. Franklin 53.96
300 hurdles: 1. C. Swartzbaugh (Y) 47.18, 2. A. Swartzbaugh (Y), 3. Eastman (Y)
800: 1. Robinault (Y) 2:45.96, 2. Gravatt (F), 3. Irwin (F)
200: 1. McLaughlin (Y) 28.56, 2. Nerlich (F), 3. Conway (F)
3200: 1. Owens (C) 12:50, 2. Muncie (C), 3. Olsen (Y)
1600 relay: 1. Youngsville 4:36
Long jump: 1. Jones (F) 15'0, 2. Greer (C), 3. Holden (F)
Triple jump: 1. C. Swartzbaugh (Y) 31'11, 2. Greer (C), 3. Jones (F)
High jump: 1. Jones (F) 5'3, 2. Goodsel (C), 3. A. Swartzbaugh (Y)
Shot put: 1. Corbett (C) 37'5, 2. Patterson (C), 3. Seeley (C)
Discus: 1. Corbett (C) 116'9, 2. Patterson (C), 3. Gluvna (C)
Javelin: 1. Corbett (C) 108'2 1/2, 2. Nalan (C), 3. Gluvna (C)
Pole vault: 1. Royek (C) 6'6, 2. Williams (C), 3. Lockhart (C)