“That’s how you race,” he yelled, a wide smile creasing his face.

Moments later, Emley, Brightman and the rest of the Lady Red Raiders’ Division 1 4×100-meter relay team joined in a scrum near the finish line at Strider Field to celebrate their victory by the slimmest of margins on Saturday, the final day of the Section VI State Qualifier.

The first-place finish — Jamestown edged Lancaster, 50.15-50.21 — vaulted the quartet of Zakya Slaughter, Orianne Simon, Allison Stockwell and Brightman into next week’s New York State Public High School Athletic Association Championships at Union-Endicott High School.

“I’ve got to say, I was more nervous, more excited seeing them succeed,” said Emley, a former high school and college athlete himself. “I don’t know if I’ve ever had a feeling like this.”

Southwestern’s Jake Thorp clears a hurdle en route to winning the Division 2 400-meter hurdles. P-J photos by Tim Frank

That excitement could be found at virtually every corner of the complex behind Jefferson Middle School on a Chamber-of-Commerce type day.

All told yesterday, 13 individuals and three relays from The Post-Journal circulation area extended their season one more week by virtue of their performances.

Falconer/Cassadaga Valley’s Rachael Ward also had a flair for the dramatic in the girls Division 2 pole vault. After missing on her first two attempts at 10 feet, the sophomore gathered herself and ended up winning the event, capped by clearing the bar at 12 feet for a personal-best and a school record.

“All of the credit goes to her and her parents,” Coach Mike LeBaron said. “They take her to a pole vault camp in Warsaw. It’s a lot of commitment in the offseason, and meets like this are where it pays off.”

A pole vaulter for only one year, Ward has improved dramatically this season, according to LeBaron.

Lauren Swan clears a hurdle en route to a state-qualifying second-place finish in the Division 2 400-meter hurdles. P-J photos by Tim Frank

“Goal one is get to the states, goal two is we’re looking to get a medal and goal three is see how far up the podium we can go,” he said.

Judging from how she cleared the bar on that successful 12-foot attempt, it’s clear that Ward has plenty left in the tank.

“Hopefully, I’ll do the same thing (at states) and more,” she said.

Other individual Division 2 first-place finishers Saturday were Abby and Bailey Gostomski of Cattaraugus-Little Valley in the 2,000-meter steeplechase (7:10.53) and 1,500 meters (4:51.94) respectively; Jake Thorp of Southwestern in the 400-meter hurdles (57.09); Lydia Lash of Fredonia in the 100-meter hurdles (15.15); Emma Seiders of Silver Creek in the 400 meters; Amber Morrison of Falconer/Cassadaga Valley in the shot (38-0.25); Michel Padilla of Maple Grove in the high jump (6-0); Justin Svetz of Clymer/Sherman/Panama in the pentathlon (2,830 points); and Emilee Hanlon of Dunkirk in the high jump (5-3).

Earning state berths Saturday by successfully reaching a state standard were Cameron Barmore of Clymer/Sherman/Panama in the high jump (6-2); Lauren Swan of Southwestern in the 400-meter hurdles (1:05.61); and Mushirah Sheppard of Salamanca in the pole vault (10-0).

Falconer/Cassadaga Valley’s Rachael Ward clears the bar during one of her Division 2 pole vaults during Saturday’s Section VI Track & Field Championships at Strider Field in Jamestown. P-J photos by Tim Frank

The first-place relay, besides Jamestown, belonged to the boys Division 2 4×800 quartet from Dunkirk, which posted a time of 8:10.31. Members of that squad were Chris Michalski, Anthony Ruiz, Mike DeLand and Nelson Estrada-Cruz. The other area relay to advance was the Division 2 girls 4×400 quartet from Silver Creek, which placed second, but successfully met the state standard. Members of that foursome were Kyle Procknal, Krystel Schwab, Jaylah Cossin and Seiders.

For Dunkirk, which defeated East Aurora by more than three seconds, the celebration rivaled the one that the Jamestown girls displayed following their 4×100 relay victory.

“They’ve been working hard all year,” Emley said of his Lady Red Raiders’ squad. “It’s their (personal best). They had to fight through some handoffs that weren’t as good as we were hoping, but they did keep true to what they’ve been practicing and working towards, and it paid off today.”

The weekend was a double-win for the Gostomski twins, who each posted victories on Friday as well — Abby in the 800 meters and Bailey in the 3,000. Morrison will also be competing in two events at states after she qualified in the discus on Friday by meeting the state standard earlier in the season (113 feet).

In addition to two-event qualifiers, Svetz returns to states in the pentathlon for the second consecutive year, outdistancing Maple Grove’s Carson Crist, who finished with 2,738 points.

Maple Grove’s Mitch Padilla clears the bar during the Division 2 high jump. P-J photos by Tim Frank

“It’s amazing,” Svetz said. “A lot of people don’t get to say they went to states and I’m doing it twice now.”

He’ll have company from neighboring schools, too, including Padilla, who was clearly enjoying the whole sectional experience.

“I kind of came into this season with no expectations and I guess everything is just working out for me,” he said. ” … I’ll just see what I can do (at states). I’m not really looking to win. I’m just all for the experience and capping off my senior year.”

NOTES: Among the more noteable performances Saturday was by Sweet Home junior Nathaniel Davis, who won the Division 100 meters in 10.71, the 200 meters in 21.41 and anchored the winning 4×400 relay, which posted a 3:21.93.

BOYS

Clymer/Sherman/Panama’s Justin Svetz long jumps as part of the Division 2 pentathlon. P-J photos by Tim Frank

Division 1

3,000m steeplechase: Harrison Higgins (Williamsville South), Joshua Glaub (West Seneca East), Dima Blundell (Hamburg), Tim Howard (Grand Island), Ryan Mitchell (Iroquois). T — 9:48.52.

110m hurdles: Roshain Wallace (Niagara Falls), Baltaj Sandhur (Williamsville East), Ed Gath (North Tonawanda), Aaron Jones (Hutch Tech), Nick Coburn (Kenmore East). T — 14.86.

100m: Nathaniel Davis (Sweet Home), Rodney Corbin (Williamsville North), Jacob Maurino (West Seneca East), Tariq Taul (Niagara Falls), Logan Yoder (Starpoint). T — 10.71.

1,600m: Chris Nowak (Sweet Home), Connor Doran (Lockport), Ray Sambrotto (West Seneca East), David Bergamasco (Williamsville South), Ryan Buzby (Grand Island). T — 4:21.34.

400m: Treston White (Lockport), Aaron Jones (Hutch Tech), Ethan Loewer (Clarence), Nick Surdej (Starpoint), William Guagliardo (North Tonawanda). T — 48.39.

400m hurdles: Anton Kunnas (North Tonawanda), Lawson Castaldo (Amherst), Adam Perilli (Lockport), Mark Marrelli (Kenmore West), Derian Rowe (Williamsville South). T — 55.32.

200m: Nathaniel Davis (Sweet Home), Amir Hunter (Hutch Tech), Logan Yoder (Starpoint), Peter Borzillieri (West Seneca West), Tom Wendt (Lockport). T — 21.41.

3,200m relay: Orchard Park (Michael Totaro, Jack Heraty, Tommy Flannery, Cal Puskar), Lockport, Frontier, West Seneca West, Lancaster. T — 7:59.46.

400m relay: Sweet Home, Niagara Falls, Hutch Tech, Lancaster, Lockport. T — 42.21.

1,600m relay: Sweet Home (Eric Johnson, Chris Nowak, David Campbell, Nathaniel Davis), Lockport, Lancaster, Hutch Tech, Amherst. T — 3:21.93.

Discus: Paul Kemsley (Lancaster), Jon Surdej (Lancaster), Joe Dubill (Hamburg), Mike Ciminella (Sweet Home), Brian Piccolo (Niagara-Wheatfield). D — 178-9.

High jump: Dom Farszmil (West Seneca East), Thomas Rivera (Sweet Home), Chris Caudle (Hutch Tech), Aiden Zerkowski (Lancaster), Mason Jaroslayski (Lancaster). H — 6-4.

Long jump: Daniel Sudyn (West Seneca West), John O’Connell (Kenmore East), Peter Borzillieri (West Seneca West), Rashaun Johnson (Lockport), Kenny Boone (Amherst). D — 20-6.25.

Pentathlon: Jahlel St. John (Kenmore West) TJ Kmitch (Lake Shore), Jameson Reid (Williamsville East), Mark Manue (Hutch Tech), Joseph D’Amico (Williamsville East). P — 3,097.

Division 2

3,000m steeplechase: Andrew Perrault (Lewiston-Porter), Jack Hopkins (Barker), Matt Evans (Randolph), Mark Lindquist (Randolph), Dagon Bryant (Southwestern). T — 9:57.31.

110m hurdles: Shevaughn Allen (JFK), Eric Bartnik (Cheektowaga), Michael Wolfgang (Allegany-Limestone), Mike Rigerman (Pioneer), Andrew Reichert (Cheektowaga). T — 15.41.

100m: Jalin Cooper (Medina/Lyndonville), Michael Allender (Lewiston-Porter), Joshua Walsh (Chautauqua Lake), Thomas Isbrandt (JFK), Jaylin Curry (Tapestry Charter). T — 10.91.

1,600m: Ian Russ (East Aurora), Michael Peppy (Maple Grove), Diego Rey (Fredonia), Eddie Scroxton (Southwestern), Dan Heil (Medina/Lyndonville). T — 4:25.99.

400m: Seth Conner (Cheektowaga), Jared Yaggie (Southwestern), Topher Elkins (Springville), Nick Abdo (Springville), Cameron Kane (Olean). T — 50.56.

400m hurdles: Jake Thorp (Southwestern), Kellen Martin (Cattaraugus-Little Valley), Lamar Chambers (Albion), Michael Wolfgang (Allegany-Limestone), Kaleb Hurlburt (Pioneer). T — 57.09.

200m: Jalin Cooper (Medina/Lyndonville), Christian Snell (Alden), Nakeem Ubaydah (Maryvale), Michael Allender (Lewiston-Porter), Chase Gross (Tonawanda). T — 22.12.

3,200m relay: Dunkirk (Christopher Michalski, Anthony Ruiz, Mike DeLand, Nelson Estrada-Cruz), East Aurora, Alden, Falconer/Cassadaga Valley, Clymer/Sherman/Panama. T — 8:10.31.

400m relay: Cheektowaga, Alden, JFK, Tapestry Charter, Cleveland Hill. T — 43.73.

1,600m relay: Cheektowaga (Eric Bartnik, Kyle Krzanowicz, Keon White, Seth Conner), Newfane, East Aurora, Lewiston-Porter, Tonawanda. T — 3:27.97.

Discus: Dylan Perlino (Holland), Sean McGee (JFK), Sully Tellado (Olean), Patrick Walsh (Allegany-Limestone), Colin Skowronski (Alden). D — 159-1.

High jump: Michel Padilla (Maple Grove), Cameron Barmore (Clymer/Sherman/Panama), Michael Johnson (Cleveland Hill), Tanner Pysz (Lewiston-Porter), Derek Dandrea (Olean). H — 6-0.

Long jump: Kyle Krzanowicz (Cheektowaga), Shevaughn Allen (JFK), Lahai Sulliman (Buffalo Science), Nate Moore (Albion), Riley Pastuszynski (Alden). D — 21-8.

Pentathlon: Justin Svetz (Clymer/Sherman/Panama), Carson Crist (Maple Grove), Trey Lilly (Tonawanda), Jeremy Saunders (Lewiston-Porter), Mike Meredith (Fredonia). P — 2,830.

GIRLS

Division 1

2,000m steeplechase: MaKayla Kasperek (Sweet Home), Rachel Zielinski (Hamburg), Sarah Kurbs (Lockport), Laura Cohn (Kenmore West), Alanna Kramer (Williamsville East). T — 7:26.60.

100m hurdles: Christina Wende (Kenmore West), Nisa Raqib (Hutch Tech), Hayley Skidmore (Williamsville East), Olivia Gervan (Lancaster), Morgan Halt (Amherst). T — 14.96.

100m: Jenna Crean (Orchard Park), Hayley Skidmore (Williamsville East), Orianne Simon (Jamestown), Tashawni Cornfield (Lake Shore), Tatiana Cook (McKinley). T — 12.08.

1,500m: Anna Rybczynski (West Seneca West), Rachael Major (Orchard Park), Amberlee Robertson (Williamsville South), Samantha Henry (Starpoint), Carissa DiTullio (Lockport). T — 4:53.92.

400m: Jenna Crean (Orchard Park), Le’Gary Jackson (Niagara-Wheatfield), Samantha Shea (Starpoint), Naciela Barber (Jamestown), Maxana Grubb (Amherst). T — 57.61.

400m hurdles: Morgan Halt (Amherst), Julia Peinkofer (Iroquois), Kayla Bailey (Williamsville North), Natalie Armon (Clarence), Casey Rymarczyk (Kenmore East). T — 1:06.42.

200m: Jenna Crean (Orchard Park), Laina Caparaso (Iroquois), Hayley Skidmore (Williamsville East), Amanda Konieczny (Lancaster), Hannah Harris (Niagara Falls). T — 24.98.

3,200m relay: Williamsville South (Molly Moore, Sam Vahue, Amberlee Robertson, Sarah Cook), Clarence, West Seneca West, Hamburg, Orchard Park. T — 9:27.69.

400m relay: Jamestown, Lancaster, Hutch Tech, Orchard Park, Iroquois. T — 50.15.

1,600m relay: Lancaster (Isabella Licata, Olivia Gervan, Morgan Foster, Sydney Burgard), Iroquois, Amherst, Starpoint, Williamsville North. T — 3:58.80.

Shot put: Rachel Donnor (Iroquois), Tirzah Peters (Sweet Home), Arleasia McGee (Sweet Home), Brianna McKenzie (Lancater), Erin Lippa (Williamsville North). D — 41-11.5.

High jump: Olivia Gervan (Lancaster), Le’Gary Jackson (Niagara-Wheatfield), Nisa Raqib (Hutch Tech), Morgan Halt (Amherst), Katelynn Hennessy (Orchard Park). H — 5-2.

Pole vault: Gabriella Gaygen (Williamsville North), Mallory Prelewicz (Clarence), Leah Pasqualetti (Orchard Park), Mikayla Shute (Williamsville North), Julia Brundin (Kenmore East). H — 11-9.

Triple jump: Christina Wende (Kenmore West), Emily Marchitte (West Seneca West), Nisa Raqib (Hutch Tech), Jamillyah Mallory (Amherst), Bailey Ross (Frontier). D — 37-8.

Pentathlon: Amaya Turnage (Sweet Home), Rachel Romanowski (Williamsville East), Chloe Hurrell (Williamsville North), Kayla Myers (Williamsville East), Sherri Lynn Kowal (Lockport). P — 2,886.

Division 2

2,000m steeplechase: Abby Gostomski (Cattaraugus-Little Valley), Margo Henley (Akron), Martha Gardner (Medina/Lyndonville), Emily Brown (Fredonia), Caitlin Caltagirone (Holland). T — 7:10.53.

100m hurdles: Lydia Lanski (Fredonia), Christina Funderburk (Cleveland Hill), Marissa Klimczak (Pioneer), Kylie Schnars (Clymer/Sherman/Panama), Aaliyah Blanks (Olmsted). T — 15.15.

100m: Nia Stevens (Tapestry Charter), Miquela Hunter (Olmsted), Taylor Hunter (Tapestry Charter), Kaniya Johnson (Olean), Emily Oliverio (Lewiston-Porter). T — 12.27.

1,500m: Bailey Gostomski (Cattaraugus-Little Valley), Kylee Odell (Clymer/Sherman/Panama), Riley Jones (Holland), Christina Peppy (Maple Grove), Martha Gardner (Medina/Lyndonville). T — 4:51.94.

400m: Emma Seiders (Silver Creek), Miquela Hunter (Olmsted), Caroline Walter (Maple Grove), Jericha Petrella (Dunkirk), Savannah Warner (Alden). T — 57.73.

400m hurdles: Marissa Klimczak (Pioneer), Lauren Swan (Southwestern), Payton Rowe (Springville), Sara Augustine (Alden), Alexandra Whitney (Lewiston-Porter). T — 1:05.14.

200m: Nia Stevens (Tapestry Charter), Ayana Bursie (Cheektowaga), Miquela Hunter (Olmsted), Taylor Hunter (Tapestry Charter), Emilee Hanlon (Dunkirk). T — 24.73.

3,200m relay: East Aurora (Maisy Webster, Megan McLaughlin, Molly McLaughlin, Bridget Zagrobelny), Westfield, Lewiston-Porter, Holland, Clymer/Sherman/Panama. T — 9:50.13.

400m relay: Tapestry Charter, Lewiston-Porter, Dunkirk, Cleveland Hill, Depew. T — 49.09.

1,600m relay: Tapestry Charter (Kim Bostic, Mirielle Ngoopos, Taylor Hunter, Nia Stevens), Silver Creek, Olmsted, East Aurora, Cheektowaga. T — 4:02.53.

Shot put: Amber Morrison (Falconer/Cassadaga Valley), Maryam Akaic (Tapestry Charter), Madison Palmer (East Aurora, Amaya Wood (Olmsted), Karlie Hake (Alden). D — 38-0.25.

Pole vault: Rachael Ward (Falconer/Cassadaga Valley), Mushirah Sheppard (Salamanca), Jillie Lawton (Southwestern), Hailee Cope (Pioneer), Claire Johnson (Frewsburg). H — 12-0.

High jump: Emilee Hanlon (Dunkirk), Kaitlyn Bulega (Holland), Marina Miketish (Olean), Cookie Altieri (Alden), Kali Scharping (Royalton-Hartland). H — 5-3.

Triple jump: Ally Alvira (Cheektowaga), Cassie Serafin (Depew), Chanyce Powell (Albion), Torrie Jenkins (Cheektowaga), Ashley Beckwith (Clymer/Sherman/Panama). D — 36-3.

Pentathlon: Jayna Galley (Holland), Lauren McGrath (Lewiston-Porter), Faith Rivera (Dunkirk), Nicole Wise (Franklinville), Logan Fredrickson (Franklinville). P — 2,837.

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