By Brandon Paul
For The Daily Item
May 07, 2008 05:54 am
—
SUNBURY -- It's almost ironic that a track meet comprised of 18 events and 150 total points can be decided by the slimmest of margins, mere seconds or inches, one way or the other.
Such was the case Tuesday afternoon at Shikellamy Stadium, as the Braves and visiting Milton Black Panthers entered the final event on the track, the 1,600 meter relay, separated by just two points.
The strategically-stocked Braves' relay team ran its fastest time all season, in fact, as noted by coach Jim Bell. "It was fastest time we've run (in the 1,600 relay) since 1985."
Still, it wasn't enough as Milton, led by a blazing anchor-leg from senior Brandon Smith, held off Shikellamy's Miles Wolfe at the finish by 10 meters for the win in 3:30.81, clinching the victory, 76-74.
"They knew what was on the line (before the race)," Milton coach Tom Leeser said. "As a (relay) team, it was our best time by four seconds."
Shikellamy (1-7 overall, 1-6 Susquehanna Valley Conference-Division I), down by nearly 20 points, clawed back thanks to strong performances from Ron Schreffler, Wolfe, and Josiah Tobin, who snagged first-place finishes in the 300 intermediate hurdles, 800, and 3,200, respectively.
"Hats off to Milton, they beat us," Bell said. "I'm happy with the direction the team is going. We just have to move forward."
Smith had an outstanding overall day for the Black Panthers (2-6 overall and SVC-I), adding a win in the 400 (52.88) and a second-place finish in the javelin (135-3) to his relay victory.
Teammate Stephen Moore was a three-event winner for Milton, running on the victorious 1,600 and 400-relay teams, and claiming first in the 200 with a time of 23.61. Milton held a 48-39 advantage on the track.
In the field, Shikellamy grabbed firsts in five of the seven events, including a 40-3 1/4 first-place toss by Josh Brosious in the shot put.
Bell praised the continued excellence of Nicco Dalpiaz in the pole vault, who topped Black Panthers standout Todd Postie with a vault of 14-6, and just missed on three tries at 14-9. The veteran coach also noted how a meet decided by two points could shift so much based on a runner's push at the finish line.
"It was a good meet. We lost by inches in some races. In the 200, our freshman (Brett Yeomans) was outleaned at the finish (going from second to third place). That could have been the difference right there."
Garrett Brought took second in the race to Moore, with a time of 23.77. Yeomans clocked in at 23.78.
"We had a great team effort, we just fell short," Bell said. "Our times are starting to come down, and we look forward to competing at leagues and districts."
GIRLS
n Shikellamy 89, Milton 61
The Braves flexed their muscles and rolled to a surprisingly easy SVC-I win over the Black Panthers. Lauren Redington once again dominated on the track and in the field, winning the 100, 200, long jump, and running anchor on the 400 relay team.
Trailing entering the final handoff in the relay, Redington made up roughly 10 meters at the end to grab the win in 51.10. Momentum seemed to shift over to the Braves (6-2 overall, 5-2 SVC-I) from that point forward.
"She's done that a couple of times," Shikellamy coach Bob Cole said. "She really is one heck of a closer."
Redington also tied the school-record in the 200 (26.84), an event she normally doesn't participate in. Rachael Scheller broke Shikellamy's school record in the pole vault, clearing 9-7.
As good as Redington was in the sprints, Milton's Heidi Shuck was just as impressive in the distance events. Shuck took first in the 800 (2:28.91) and 1,600 (5:32.2) for the Black Panthers (5-3 overall, 5-2 SVC-I). Naomi Brunson launched the shot put 38-1 3/4, also good for first.
Brunson's shot victory was the lone first-place finish by Milton in the field, as Shikellamy outpaced the Black Panthers 45-18 away from the track. Lisa Pabon won the javelin (99-1) in addition to winning the 400 (61.94), and Tomisha Swank took the high jump (4-6) and shared first in the 100 hurdles with teammate Sam Balonis.
Cole also applauded the efforts of senior Tiff Frederick, who ran legs on Shikellamy's winning 400- and 1,600 relay teams.
"She's been ill and hasn't practiced, but she sucked it up. She really got us back in both of those races," Cole said.
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