Gilbert’s triple jump win came with a mark of 34 feet, 3 inches, while the sophomore doubled down less than 24 hours later with wins in the 100 meters (12.85), 200 meters (26.22) and the long jump (16 feet 2.25 inches).

“She was close to the top. I mean she wasn’t winning like she is now,” Golden Cougars coach Mike LeBaron said of Gilbert’s performance a year ago. “She’s a young kid who is growing up and as she’s getting older she’s getting better. She’s getting more experience and that matters.”

LeBaron added: ”Her body is getting stronger, her body is getting faster. You’re always looking for more, but I’m happy with what she’s done this weekend, absolutely. Everything we are doing in practice is paying off. She’s a super coachable kid and she responds to coaching, and that’s why she’s doing what she’s doing.”

In team action, the host Trojans took home both the boys and girls Division 1 team titles at the Fran Sirianni Athletic Complex with the former finishing with 156.33 points while the latter finished with 206 points.

Maple Grove’s Michael Peppy sprints to the finish line in the 1,600 meters. P-J photo by Tim Frank

Following in the Division 1 girls standings was Falconer/Cassadaga with 103, Fredonia with 81, Dunkirk with 71, Olean with 60 and Gowanda with 24.

Behind the Southwestern boys was Olean with 94.3, Fredonia with 94, Dunkirk with 80, Falconer/Cassadaga Valley with 70 and Gowanda with 54.

Maple Grove was also able to finish two days of action with a pair of Division III team titles as the boys finished with 206 points, followed by Clymer/Sherman/Panama with 131, Franklinville/Ellicottville/West Valley with 68, Frewsburg with 64, Westfield/Brocton with 43 and Cattaraugus-Little Valley with 34.

The Lady Red Dragons totaled 141 points, followed by Franklinville/Ellicottville/West Valley with 112, Clymer/Sherman/Panama with 107, Cattaraugus-Little Valley with 104, Frewsburg with 44 and Westfield/Brocton with 43.

Allegany Limestone claimed both Division II titles with 123 points for the girls and 189 for the boys.

Cattaraugus-Little Valley’s Abby Gostomski splashes through the water in the 2,000 steeplechase. P-J photo by Tim Frank

Bailey Gostomski was a double winner after her second victory of the championships on Day 2, taking home the 1,500 in 4:52.69 after winning the 3,000 in 10:45.14 on Friday. Sister Abby Gostomski took home the 2,000 steeplechase in 7:19.09 after her win in the 800 on Friday, while the pair were able to combine forces along with Emma Pocobello and Lauren Eaton to take home the 1,600 relay in 4:12.04.

“I just want to make it to states and get a state qualifying time,” said Bailey Gostomski, who repeated in both the 1,500 and 3,000 meters from a year ago. “It feels really good, especially because I was sick for a week so I’m getting back into shape, so I’m just happy that I’m back to where I was.”

The day’s 1,500 race offered some of the best competition of the weekend, as Bailey Gostomski was able to hold off both Kylee Odell of Clymer/Sherman/Panama and Christina Peppy of Maple Grove, both of whom were less than two seconds behind to finish second and third respectively.

“That was the race that I was actually looking forward to the most this weekend, just knowing that the caliber in Chautauqua and Cattaraugus counties is just that far ahead right now,” said Maple Grove coach Steve Matteson. “It’s been about five years since we’ve had five girls in the section be able to go 4:50 and under and we have it in Chautauqua County pretty much now, five girls that are right under that 5:00, almost 4:50 and under. It’s really exciting to see.”

Matteson was also pleased to see Michael Peppy get his second win of the championships after taking the 800 meters on Friday, as the senior added to that performance with a 4:25.54 to take home the 1,600 meters.

Southwestern’s Dagon Bryant shows the way in the 3,000-meter steeplechase Saturday. P-J photo by Tim Frank

“This weekend we gave him a little break out of the two mile and gave him a little speed work. I was very happy with both his 800 yesterday and his 1,600 today,” said Matteson. “We were looking to hit even splits and see what he’s got for the last lap and that’s pretty much what he did. He ran even the first two-three laps and then he just took off with everything he had left in the tank and had a very strong last lap. Actually, (he) led Matt Evans to a school record — he finished second — so congratulations to Matt Evans.”

Evans clocked a 4:28.88 while Southwestern’s Eddie Scroxton was just behind in third place at 4:32.39.

The boys 200 also offered plenty of intrigue, as Joell Colon was able to post a 23.43 to earn the win for Fredonia, holding off the likes of second-place Nash Nelson of Maple Grove (23.70) and Josh Walsh of Chautauqua Lake (23.77).

“That 200 has been within 10ths of seconds all season long between Walsh, between Nelson, and (Colon),” Matteson said. “At Super 8’s last week they were all within 10ths of a second. Again today they are battling line to line. Colon had the edge today, Nelson still had a great race and so did Walsh. It’s nice to see all the hard work throughout the season paying off at the right time.”

Helping Southwestern to its boys team title was Dagon Bryant’s win in the 3,000-meter steeplechase with a time of 10:31.30.

Frewsburg’s Drew Pownall claimed the boys 400 with a time of 51.14, while Jericha Petrella of Dunkirk claimed the girls 400 meters in 59.85. Lydia Lanski of Fredonia took the 100 hurdles (15.72) while teammate Emily Brown took the 400-meter hurdles in 1:05.54.

Heading to the field events, Cameron Barmore of Clymer/Sherman/Panaam took home the high jump with a mark of 6 feet.

Rena Riley of Franklinville claimed the shot put (35-3.75), while the Trojans finished one-two in the discus with Grace Lillie having a winning toss of 99 feet while Gianna Hoose threw 97 feet.

“It’s about seven feet off her PR. The girls threw OK today,” Trojans throwing coach Adam Brown said. “They’re not happy with it because they’ve definitely thrown better than what they did today, but hopefully they did their part to win the conference championship. The kids worked hard and now we’ve got one more week to try and advance on and improve.”

Dunkirk’s Emily Hanlon took home the high jump at 5-2, while Falconer/Cassadaga Valley’s Rachael Ward took the pole vault in 11 feet.

Issiah Velez of Dunkirk continued his strong season in the 100 meters, winning with a time of 11.24 to edge out Colon. Velez also anchored the Marauders’ winning 400 relay, edging Fredonia with a time of 44.54.

“He PR’d again today. We’ve been looking at what the Erie County schools have been doing and he knows that he has to drop another half a second to get up there and be the potential state standard for second place,” Dunkirk coach Adam Woelfle said of Velez. “He’s working for that every single time. It’s really just finishing the race. That’s what he’s gotta make sure to do is push all the way through the line.”

For the host Trojans, there is no better feeling than leaving this weekend with a pair of team titles in their pocket as the season heads toward individual focus with the Section VI Championships, which will be held June 1-2 at Niagara Falls High School.

“I’m super proud of the kids, because when it comes down to it it’s the kids that are doing the work, the kids that are putting the time in,” said Southwestern coach Cristin Hockenberry. “They just continue to work hard all season. They love being here, we have an amazing staff from our administration, our superintendent, our buildings and grounds, our custodial crews, our parent volunteers. So for our kids to come out and perform as kind of a thank you to all of those people who support us, it’s exciting.”

TEAM RESULTS

BOYS

DIVISION I: Southwestern 156.33, Olean 94.33, Fredonia 94, Dunkirk 80, Falconer/Cassadaga Valley 70.33, Gowanda 54

DIVISION II: Allegany-Limestone 189, Randolph 102, Chautauqua Lake 87, Portville 80, Salamanca 68, Silver Creek/Forestville 8

DIVISION III: Maple Grove 206, Clymer/Sherman/Panama 131, Franklinville/Ellicottville/West Valley 68, Frewsburg 64, Westfield/Brocton 43, Cattaraugus-Little Valley 34

GIRLS

DIVISION I: Southwestern 206, Falconer/Cassadaga Valley 103, Fredonia 81, Dunkirk 71, Olean 60, Gowanda 25

DIVISION II: Allegany-Limestone 156, Portville 123, Chautauqua Lake 93, Silver Creek/Forestville 86, Salamanca 47, Randolph 45

DIVISION III: Maple Grove 141, Franklinville/Ellicottville/West Valley 112, Clymer/Sherman/Panama 107, Cattaraugus-Little Valley 104, Frewsburg 44, Westfield/Brocton 43

INDIVIDUAL RESULTS

BOYS

100m: Issiah Velez (D), Joell Colon (Fred), Joshua Walsh (CL), Nash Nelson (MG), Ryan Jafarjian (W/B), Jaydon DeAngelo (O), Evan Blakeslee (CL), Eli Johns (F/CV). T–11.24

200m: Joell Colon (Fred), Nash Nelson (MG), Joshua Walsh (CL), Ryan Jafarjian (W/B), Nelson Rosario (D), Eli Johns (F/CV), Nathan Ganey (D), Josh Bihler (O). T–23.43

400m: Drew Pownall (Frew), Daunte Jeter (O), Riley Auer (MG), Kane Carlson (R), Marcus Kautzman (So), Nathan Ganey (D), Deiter Miinte (R), Quinn Conlan (Frew). T–51.14

800m: Michael Peppy (MG), Eddie Scroxton (So), Diego Rey (Fred), John Swabik (C/S/P), Andrew Young (F/CV), Ronan McDonald (R), Derrick Dean (P), Frank Colburn (MG). T–2:00.69

1,600m: Michael Peppy (MG), Matthew Evans (R), Eddie Scroxton (So), Diego Rey (Fred), Ronan McDonald (R), John Swabik (C/S/P), Anthony Ruiz (D), Logan Holthouse (C/S/P). T–4:25.54

3,200m: Dagon Bryant (So), Sam Chmielewski (G), Anthony Ruiz (D), Joshua Johnson (Fred), Pete Auer (MG), Sam Filbert (A-L), Drew Braden (C-LV), Hunter Wassink (C/S/P). T–10:15.40

110m hurdles: Michael Wolfgang (A-L), Darius Jones (MG), Austin Jankowski (G), Jaden Kinnear (So), John Swabik (C/S/P), Kohl Ambuske (Sa), Elliot Bowen (F/E/WV), Dustin McCaslin (CL). T–15.33

400m hurdles: Michael Wolfgang (A-L), Liam Coulter (A-L), Zach Heberlein (Frew), Jaden Kinnear (So), Rian Budzinski (Fred), Darius Jones (MG), Austin Johns (F/CV), Chris Crino (O). T–57.10

3,000m steeplechase: Dagon Bryant (So), Joshua Johnson (Fred), Sam Filbert (A-L), Anthony Ruiz (D), Ben Deperna (F/CV), Dylan Davis (Frew), Drew Braden (C-LV), Joey Pilliteri (F/CV). T–10:31.30

400m relay: Dunkirk (N/A), Fredonia, Chautauqua Lake, Maple Grove, Clymer/Sherman/Panama, Westfield/Brocton, Falconer/Cassadaga Valley. T–44.54

1,600m relay: Maple Grove (Carson Crist, Sam Cummings, Simon Olson, Michael Peppy), Frewsburg, Randolph, Southwestern, Olean, Allegany-Limestone, Dunkirk, Fredonia. T–3:34.31

3,200m relay: Falconer/Cassadaga Valley (Rayven Sample, Bryce Baglia, Collin Barmore, Andrew Young), Southwestern, Maple Grove, Portville, Randolph, Allegany-Limestone, Clymer/Sherman/Panama, Olean. T–8:17.59

High jump: Cameron Barmore (C/S/P), Michael Wolfgang (A-L), Truman Purslow (MG), George Kivari (O), Carson Crist (MG), Tyler Olson (F/CV), Tristen Gillette (Sa), Kohl Ambuske (Sa). H–6-0

Pole vault: Grant Fox (O), Wyatt Sluga (R), Chase Stevenson (So), Darius Jones (MG), Hessen Bahgat (Fred) and Joshua Janicki (CL), Orion Snowberger (A-L), Sam Filbert (A-L). H–12-6

Long jump: Nick Decerbo (O), Devin Eddy (D), Issiah Velez (D), Alex Card (So), Derek Miller (So), Caleb Foley (MG), Alan Wildfire (A-L), Tyler Hedlund (Sa). D–20-0.5

Triple jump: Nick Decerbo (O), Derek Miller (So), Alex Card (So), Truman Purslow (MG), Josh Bihler (O), Alan Wildfire (A-L), Devin Eddy (D), Devan Moore (A-L). D–42-0.5

Shot put: Patrick Walsh (A-L), Cooper Pannes (So), Jake Guerra (Fred), Skyler Wright (R), Ture Hassler (G), Michael Nye (A-L), Connor Walsh (A-L), Nick Bishop (F/CV). D–47-8

Discus: Michael Nye (A-L), Patrick Walsh (A-L), Nick Fabrizio (MG), Cooper Pannes (So), Andrew Musacchio (G), Brice Lowe (So), Damian Southard (F/CV), Chris Quinn (So). D–131

GIRLS

100m: Samantha Gilbert (F/CV), Hannah Hoebener (W/B), Chloe Kibbe (MG), Lauren Eaton (C-LV), Cassidy Allen (So), Jessica Beehler (D), Lauren Alfa (CL), Marisa Schuppenhauer (MG). T–12.85

200m: Samantha Gilbert (F/CV), Emilee Hanlon (D), Chloe Kibbe (MG), Lauren Eaton (C-LV), Grace DeCapua (A-L), Lauren Alfa (CL), Jackie Daley (P), Aubin Cotter (So). T–26.22

400m: Jericha Petrella (D), Grace DeCapua (A-L), Mackenzie Gratto (C/S/P), Kylie Procknal (SC/F), McKenna Kaleta (F/E/WV), Kelsey Wolfe (Frew), Natalie Carris (C/S/P), Claire Lanski (Fred). T–59.85

800m: Abby Gostomski (C-LV), Kylee Odell (C/S/P), Ava Crist (MG), Mackenzie Haskins (F/CV), Hannah Sullivan (So), Sofia Fortuna (A-L), Ashlyn Collins (O), Bethany Miller (P). T–2:17.58

1,500m: Bailey Gostomski (C-LV), Kylee Odell (C/S/P), Christina Peppy (MG), Ava Crist (MG), Hannah Sullivan (So), Carling Lockwood (MG), Ashlyn Collins (O), Ellie Decker (SC/F). T–4:52.69

3,000m: Bailey Gostomski (C-LV), Christina Peppy (MG), Ellie Decker (SC/F), Hannah Sullivan (So), Abby Brunenavs (MG), Hannah Lillie (So), Lindsey Clawson (A-L), Anna Sena (CL). T–10:45.14

100m hurdles: Lydia Lanski (Fred), Lauren Swan (So), Alexis Aloi (P), Madeline Lippert (A-L), Elsa Gruber (MG), Katja Kranzo (So), Cheyanne Folts (F/E/WV), Hayly Fredrickson (F/E/WV). T–15.72

400m hurdles: Emily Brown (Fred), Lauren Swan (So), Katja Kranzo (So), Amelia Brown (CL), Sarah Boothe (SC/F), Hayly Fredrickson (F/E/WV), Olivia Boothe (SC/F), Mallory Voegelin (A-L). T–1:05.54

2,000m steeplechase: Abby Gostomski (C-LV), Emily Brown (Fred), Karen Johnson (So), Sierra Jacques (D), Anna Sena (CL), Lindsey Clawson (A-L), Acacia Barber (Frew), Logan Walzcak (CL). T–7:19.09

400m relay: Dunkirk (N/A), Maple Grove, Olean, Southwestern, Chautauqua Lake, Portville, Franklinville/Ellicottville/West Valley. T–51.35

1,600m relay: Cattaraugus-Little Valley (Bailey Gostomski, Emma Pocobello, Lauren Eaton, Abby Gostomski), Clymer/Sherman/Panama, Maple Grove, Allegany-Limestone, Frewsburg, Franklinville/Ellicottville/West Valley, Fredonia, Silver Creek/Forestville. T–4:12.04

3,200m relay: Maple Grove (Abby Brunenavs, Ava Crist, Kristin Kelemen, Christina Peppy), Southwestern, Allegany-Limestone, Clymer/Sherman/Panama, Silver Creek/Forestville, Westfield/Brocton, Franklinville/Ellicottville/West Valley, Randolph. T–10:16.13

High jump: Emilee Hanlon (D), Claire Stokes (Fred), McKayla Wolfe (W/B) and Bryn Mozzi (MG), Aubin Cotter (So), Bethany Miller (P), Sydney Lachajczyk (CL) and Angelina Napoleon (A-L). H–5-2

Pole vault: Rachael Ward (F/CV), Mushirah Sheppard (Sa), Cassidy Allen (So), Hayly Fredrickson (F/E/WV), Jessica Ritchie (C-LV), Sarah Disbro (F/CV), Claire Johnson (Frew), Rosie Hagel (So). H–11-0

Long jump: Samantha Gilbert (F/CV), Emilee Hanlon (D), Hannah Hoebener (W/B), Andrianna Pucci (Fred), Mushirah Sheppard (Sa), Grace Lundmark (F/CV), Marisa Schuppenhauer (MG), Katie Nothem (P). D–16-2.25

Triple jump: Samantha Gilbert (F/CV), Bailey Gostomski (C-LV), Bryar Childs (P), Hannah Murdock (C/S/P), Sabrina Skinner (F/E/WV) and Grace DeCapua (A-L), Marisa Schuppenhauer (MG), Kira Erickson (CL). D–34-3

Shot put: Rene Riley (F/E/WV), Emily Rybicki (So), Abby Manelick (So), Alyssa Steen (MG), Maria Jacobi (Frew), Teri Poortenga (O), Lauren Kluck (Fred), Zoey Green (F/E/WV). D–35-3.75

Discus: Grace Lillie (So), Gianna Hoose (So), Trisha Walker (C/S/P), Abby Manelick (So), Korah Witherell (P), Kourtney Leeper (R), Tessa Mozzi (MG), Claire Roosa (R). D–99-0

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