NW relay team captures gold at Colonial League championships

WHITEHALL – Maybe Madeline Consuelos said it best.

“I was expecting this,” the Northwestern junior remarked.

And Consuelos had every reason to be confident.

As the top seed in the Colonial League girls 3200 relay, Consuelos, Allison Costa, Molly Tarvin and Alyssa Zack didn’t disappoint.

The top seed in the event, the Tigers delivered on all their promise and potential, winning with a personal best time of 9:52.94, eclipsing their previous mark of 9:53.01.

“That’s what we were going for,” said Tarvin.

“I feel like we didn’t set out with a time in mind,” added Zack. “I think in my mind, and I can probably speak for the others, we just wanted to win … so it was really nice.”

Consuelos ran the opening leg and set the tone for the win.

It’s a trend she hopes to continue at next week’s district meet, where the Northwestern girls will be competing in a tough Class 3A field.

“I feel confident that when they’re put into that scenario, we’ll rise to the occasion,” Consuelos said. “I mean, I get to run with someone (going out first). But by the time we get to the fourth leg, they’re all alone.

“I think when we get to districts, it’ll be a pack the entire way, and everyone will have someone to push them.”

And if that happens, the Tigers will be well on their way to taking another step forward, together.

“The goal is to get to states for the first time … in years,” said Tarvin.

Part of that drive comes from a long run of the program’s cross country success in recent years.

The Northwestern girls had been a staple at the state meet in recent years.

But 2016 saw the Tigers fail to send a team to Hershey for the first time since 2010.

After winning the Colonial League title and placing second at last week’s District 11 meet, Northwestern returned this past fall.

As the Tigers’ only state qualifiers in 2016, Tarvin and Consuelos were determined to help bring the team back to Hershey, a focus that has carried over into the track season.

“I think at states last year, Molly and I were all alone, and we kind of just said that you better watch out because we will be back. I think we’re starting to make that statement again,” said Consuelos.

“Now we’ve got something to prove … Now we’re back, and we’re reminding everyone that we’re still here,” added Tarvin.

Northwestern’s victory highlighted the first day of the Colonial League and Eastern Pennsylvania Conference Track and Field Championships at Whitehall’s Zephyr Sports Complex.

The Tigers’ Sarah Supplee was second in the 300 hurdles with a time of 49.49.

“I’m ecstatic. It was definitely really stressful going into it,” said Supplee. “Just knowing the seeding going into it … I wanted to get second, that’s where I was seeded. But now I’m so glad to be finished, and have the medal.”

Supplee also did cross country in the fall, something that helps her with the longer hurdle race.

“I’m definitely better at the longer distance with the 300 because you have to push yourself between each hurdle, versus the 100, where it’s just go, go, go,” she said. “Coming from a distance background, my gut is to go out at a slower pace. But eventually, I’ve tried to go out comfortably fast, and then once you see the finish line, just give it everything you’ve got. That’s usually my strategy.”

Palmerton’s Chris Fredericks also gabbed a runner-up finish, placing second in the Colonial League javelin with a throw of 178-5.

“Honestly, for the past month I’ve been in a pretty big slump,” said Fredericks. “I’m not pleased with how I did today, but I’m happy to start to come back up.

“I know that what I’m doing is helping me now, and I found a way to get back into my groove a little bit. Hopefully, I can keep going with what I’m doing.”

After winning league and district titles in the event last season, Fredericks knows what he has to do to regain his form.

“I really just have to stay calm and collected and focus a lot on technique; more technique than anything,” he said.

Tuesday was another step in the right direction.

“I definitely put a lot more pressure on myself because I expect gold every meet, no matter what,” said Fredericks. “I expect gold from myself. I haven’t been doing it lately but this is the first step to getting back to it.”

Northern Lehigh’s Robert Shoff cleared 6-0 to place third in the Colonial League boys’ pole vault.

“I knew I had to come in confident, had to be strong,” said Shoff. “I’m pretty happy with my performance today; I’ve been battling shin splints throughout the season, so I’m pretty happy.

“Coming out of today, I was really hoping to get a medal, to place. It’s my senior year, I wanted to go out with a bang.”

Shoff is hoping to make an even bigger impact at districts.

“For districts, I know what I’m capable of,” he said. “I just have to come in strong, do what I can do and see what happens.

As the sixth seed in the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference 3200 relay, the Pleasant Valley team of Jon Mickens, River Marks, Ryan Murphy and Luke Valdevit might have surprised some with a third place finish (8:14.85).

Just don’t count Mickens, Marks, Murphy or Valdevit among that group.

“We felt a little disrespected being the sixth seed,” said Valdevit. “But when you put all of us together, sure we might just be four average runners (on our own) but when you put us all together, we’re much more than that. We’re a team.”

Coming together for the first time this season, the group proved that with their performance.

“This is the real season. This is where it starts, right when you get to districts and leagues,” said Murphy.

Pleasant Valley has produced a long line of stellar distance runners in recent years. This group hopes to add its name to that list.

“Being a distance runner at Pleasant Valley for the past couple years, we had some amazing guys come through, with Khai (Samuels), my sister (Jenn MIckens) and Seth (Slavin),” said Mickens. “So we kind of have that expectation that we’re Pleasant Valley, and it means something to us, and it means that we have an expectation to be one of those guys on the podium, and I’m just so proud that we were able to do that today.”

MOVING ON … The following area athletes advanced to today’s finals: Jalurah Moore (Eastern Pennsylvania Conference 100), Palmerton’s Aaron Stasko (Colonial League 100), Palmerton’s Cody Waterhouse (Colonial League 100), Pleasant Valley’s Nasai Moon (EPC 100), Palmerton’s Madison Martinez (Colonial League 100 hurdles), Northwestern’s Emma Fogal (Colonial League 100 hurdles), Palmerton’s Jonathan Perloni (Colonial League 110 hurdles), Palmerton’s Jevon Nelson (Colonial League 110 hurdles), Northwestern’s Taylor Wanamaker (Colonial League 110 hurdles), Pleasant Valley’s Xavier Garmony (EPC 110 hurdles).

BACK ON TRACK … On track action starts today at 3 p.m. with the Colonial League and EPC girls 100 hurdle finals. Field events also begin at 3 p.m.

Colonial League Championships

Legend

Bangor (B), Catasauqua (C), Northern Lehigh (NL), Northwestern (NW), Notre Dame of GP (ND), Palisades (Pali), Palmerton (P), Pen Argyl (PA), Salisbury (S), Saucon Valley (SV), Southern Lehigh (SL), Wilson Area (W).

Results

(top four plus other locals)

BOYS

Long Jump - 1. John Reichenbach (S) 22-8 ½, 2. Anthony Jones (B), 3. Michael Eckhart (P), 4. Delano McKenzie (S), 10. Jordan Nelson (P), 13. Robert Schoff (NL), 14. Zachary Rosamalia (NW), 15. Jesse DeKorte (P), 16. (tie) Justin Rodda (NW).

Javelin - 1. Eric Lyon (B) 182-10, 2. Chris Fredericks (P), 3. Ryan Bailey (B), 4. Luke Hess (W), 5. Hunter Miller (NW), 7. Trevor Hoffman (NL), 8. Sam Yadush (NW), 12. Eric Keck (P), 14. Michael Marrazzo (NW).

Discus - 1. Tom Kitchell (ND) 150-1, 2. Patrick Patterson-Zuber (SV), 3. Allan Milkovitz (ND), 4. Josh Mooney (P), 8. Jason Garcia (NW), 10. Matt Lalik (P), 17. Trevor Hoffman (NL).

High Jump - 1. John Reichenbach (S) 6-8, 2. Anthony Jones (B), 3. Robert Schoff (NL), 4. Samuel Brown (W), 5. Zachary Moyer (NL), 7. (tie) Bryce Beahm (P), 12. Devin Thomas (NW), 13. Justin Rodda (NW).

3200 Relay - 1. Notre Dame-GP 8:13.13, 2. Southern Lehigh, 3. Bangor, 4. Wilson, 6. Northwestern (Michael Rebert, Andrew Cornell, Joseph Pleban, Robert Leiser), 8. Northern Lehigh (Kyle Kremposky, Edge Kroll, Ivan Zheng, Carlton Davies).

300H - 1. Eric Lobb (PA) 41.39, 2. Brendan Miller (SL), 3. Mike Santos (ND), 4. Daishawn Bronson (W), 9. Taylor Wanamaker (NW), 10. Chase Ohlson (NL), 12. Jevon Nelson (P), 15. Nolan Hernandez (NW), 16. Jonathan Perloni (P), 19. Brandon Smeltz (NW), 21. Zachary Moyer (NL).

3200 - 1. Colin Cramer (SL) 9:41.81, 2. Thomas Matsumura (SL), 3. Ethan Bernstein (SV), 4. Matthew Chaikowsky (SV), 9. Phillip Castrine (NW), 16. Joseph Pleban (NW).

GIRLS

Discus - 1. Julia LapOrta (SL) 109-8, 2. Delaney Hilferty (Pali), 3. Katelyn Mercurio (ND), 4. Franki Dibilio (NL), 9. Kayla Leibensperger (NW), 10. Abigail Everett (P), 13. Francine Ohlson (NL).

Javelin - 1. Kaitlyn Cavallaro (Pali) 120-11, 2. Elizabeth Cassel (SL), 3. Paige Terrette (B), 4. Madeline Arnold (SL), 10. Katie Ziegler (NL), 12. Abigail Chisdak (NW), 17. Sydney Sevrain (NW).

Long Jump - 1. Kenzie Bradley (C) 18-3 ¾, 2. Lydia Bottelier (Pali), 3. Amelia Cassaday (SL), 4. Jill Olewine (NL), 13. Caroline Fogal (NW), 14. Destiny Mokshefski (P), 16. Sayler Burke (P), 17. Jordan Lowthert (NW).

High Jump - 1. Lydia Bottekier (Pali) 5-10, 2. Kenzie Bradley (C), 3. (tie) Jocelyn Itterly (PA) and Erica Holben (S), 5. Chloe Oldt (P), 14. Sophia Nibbe (NW).

3200 Relay - 1. Northwestern (Madeline Consuelos, Molly Tarvin, Allison Costa, Alyssa Zack) 9:52.94, 2. Wilson, 3. Palisades, 4. Saucon Valley.

300H - 1. Sierra Williams (SL) 48.23, 2. Sarah Supple (NW), 3. Alond Goodman (W), 4. Madison Martinez (P), 11. Emma Fogel (NW), 15. Allyson Hinks (NW), 18. Kristen Guelcher (NL).

3200 - 1. Sophie Doman (Pali) 11:36.20, 2. Kiele Riefenstahl (SV), 3. Martina Sell (B), 4. Molly Tarvin (NW), 6. Reagan Pender (NL), 8. Alyssa Zack (NW), 9. Katie Guelcher (NL), 13. Madeline Consuelos (NW), 16. Hannah Herzon (NW).

Eastern Pennsylvania Conference Championships

Legend

Allentown Central Catholic (ACC), Bethlehem Catholic (BC), Dieruff (D), Easton (E), East Stroudsburg North (ESN), East Stroudsburg South (ESS), Emmaus (Em), Freedom (F), Liberty (L), Nazareth (Na), Northampton (No), Parkland (P), Pleasant Valley (PV), Pocono Mountain East (PME), Pocono Mountain West (PMW), Stroudsburg (S), Whitehall (W), William Allen (WA).

Results

(top four plus other locals)

BOYS

Triple Jump - 1. Justin Miller (ESN) 44-3, 2. Michael Gombos (P), 3. Brandon Dixon (ESS), 4. Adrian Grazette (S).

Shot Put - 1. Zahery Liggitt (No) 51-9 ¼, 2. Jeremy Sell (P), 3. Trevor Harris (L), 4. Jared Sebesta (No), 7. Dulani Smith (PV).

Pole Vault - 1. Ryan Fox (Na) 14-3, 2. Franco Perinotti (P), 3. Powell Posten (ESS), 4. Tyler Slomiak (S), 9. Patrick Conklin (PV).

3200 Relay - 1. Parkland 8:07.24, 2. Nazareth, 3. Pleasant Valley (Jon Mickens, Ryan Murphy, Luke Valdevit, River Marks).

300H - 1. Powell Posten (ESS) 39.15, 2. Christian Tackett (L), 3. Esiah Rosario (BC), 4. Nicholas Bodnar (No), 9. Jerel Thomas (PV), 17. Xavier Garmony (PV).

3200 - 1. Joseph Ozgar (E) 9:38.95, 2. Sean Guydish (E), 3. Matt Bodon (S), 4. Nicholas Bower (P), 7. Ryan Murphy (PV).

GIRLS

Shot Put - 1. Kasey Thomas (E) 26-5, 2. Tiera Hudson (PMW), 3. Jaida David (L), 4. Kendra Yeboah (P), 11. Sophia Johnson (PV), 22. Danielle Frable (PV).

Triple Jump - 1. Ayanna Burrell (S) 40-8, 2. Liz Lieb (BC), 3. Shelby Staib (P), 4. Lindsay Lumsden (Em), 14. Jade Kautzsch (PV), 20. Mary Michael (PV).

Pole Vault - 1. Alexis Barrall (No) 10-9, 2. Lily Atiyah (ACC), 3. Emma Pfeiffer (BC), 4. Cailey Spanitz (BC), 5. Mary Michael (PV).

3200 Relay - 1. Stroudsburg 9:36.77, 2. Emmaus, 3. Easton, 4. Allentown Central Catholic, 6. Pleasant Valley (Cameron Caffrey, Trisha Dominick, Larissa Mulligan, Teah Cardoza).

300H - 1. Gabriella Ligugori (S) 47.89, 2. Yamilet Ferrufino (L), 3. Christine Hutchinson (P), 4. Madelyn Mertz (W), 18. Nicole Brooks-Miller (PV).

3200 - 1. Abigail Dalton (Em) 11:00.83, 2. Emily Deschler (ACC), 3. Ciara Conboy (S), 4. Madison Zaun (P).