×

‘It’s Been A Special Year’

Southwestern Boys, Girls Capture Class C Team Titles

Southwestern’s Faith Hamilton claimed first place in the discus at the Section VI Class C Track & Field Championships on Friday at the Fran Sirianni Athletic Complex. P-J photo by Tim Frank

Southwestern Central School welcomed athletes from throughout Western New York to the Fran Sirianni Athletic Complex for the Section VI Class C Track & Field Championships on Friday.

To suggest the Trojans performed well would be an understatement.

The boys team captured eight first places, including a pair by Declan Kennedy, on its way to 159 points, while the girls team claimed six first places en route to 166 points.

“I’m really proud of both our boys and girls teams on the way they competed today,” said Southwestern boys coach Jay Sirianni said. “We had some of our underclass athletes step up and perform extremely well. Our seniors led the way and won their fourth straight sectional team championship (both boys and girls).

“We are looking forward to next week’s state qualifier meet at Alden. It’s been a special year for both the boys and girls teams.”

Southwestern’s Emma Lewis claimed first place in the 2,000-meter steeplechase at the Section VI Class C Track & Field Championships on Friday at the Fran Sirianni Athletic Complex. P-J photo by Tim Frank

The Trojans first-place finishers among the boys were Kennedy in the 110-meter high hurdles (15.3) and the 400-meter hurdles (58.97); the 3,200-meter relay of Trey Faulk, Lukas Svenson, Joe Sirianni and Donavin Brown (8:58.75); Faulk in the 1,600 meters (4:42.27); Tyler McIntyre in the discus (140-9); Leo Kavic in the shot (46-10); Cole Johnson in the the pole vault (12-3); and Brown in the 800 meters (2:06.35).

They were joined by Nathan Cross and Nathan Mays of Silver Creek, who also recorded first-place finishes. Cross won the 3,000-meter steeplechase (12:24.80), while Mays cleared 6-0 to win the high jump.

In the girls competition, first-place finishes on the Southwestern team were turned in by Marlana Cresanti in the 400 meters (58.92); M’Kenzie Zavala in the 100-meter hurdles (16.94); Emma Lewis in the 2,000-meter steeplechase (7:13.48); Mikayla Johnson in the shot (37-7.25); Faith Hamilton in the discus (112-0); and the 1,600-meter relay of Avery Johnson, Trinity Card, Cresanti and Alexis Grijalva (4:02.05).

The remaining first-place finishes among the CCAA athletes were Emily Bowers of Silver Creek in the 3,000 meters (11:11.72); Isabella Milks of Salamanca in the triple jump (33-2.25); and Chautauqua Lake’s 3,200-meter relay of Olivia Wolfe, Avery Cannon, Meredith Lendt and Sophia Wolfe (10:36.25).

Following are the boys team results: Southwestern 159, Salamanca 89, Newfane 78, Portville 55, Silver Creek 37, Royalton-Hartland 35, Cleveland Hill 26, Health Science 24, Eden 24, Chautauqua Lake 16, Buffalo Academy of Arts 12 and JFK 2.

Southwestern’s Cole Johnson claimed first place in the pole vault at the Section VI Class C Track & Field Championships on Friday at the Fran Sirianni Athletic Complex. P-J photo by Tim Frank

Following are the girls team results: Southwestern 166, Cleveland Hill 76, Newfane 68.5, Royalton-Hartland 61.5, Silver Creek 48, Health Science 47, Salamanca 26, Eden 21, Portville 16, JFK 12, Chautauqua Lake 10 and WNY Maritime 6.

CLASS B

ALDEN — Roger Markham did just about everything you could in the long jump at the Class B championships, except winning the event. The Falconer sophomore jumped 22 feet, 6 inches to break the school record set in 1958 by Stu Abbott and matched in 2022 by Devin Austin at 21-7.

The mark earned him second place behind Albion’s Cencere Lowe at 23-feet and 2.25-inches, qualifying both for the state meet by reaching the super standard.

While Markham claimed second, Nathan Bailey finished first for the Falconer/Cassadaga Valley boys winning the pole vault. Bailey reached a height of 13-feet to claim first and the Golden Cougars finished fourth in the meet.

Mary Lundmark completed the sweep in the pole vault for Falconer/Cassadaga Valley reaching a height of 9-feet and 3-inches to win the girls event. The girls added two more wins and finished a spot higher than their male counterparts with a third place team finish.

Natalie Dossey finished first in the 100 meters, just ahead of Lundmark, running a time of 13.59 compared to 13.63. Then the pair teamed up with Hannah Madonia and Roxane Geranmayeh to win the 400-meter relay at a time of 51.80.

East Aurora won the girls meet and Depew finished on top for the boys.

CLASS D

WILSON — Both Roan Kelly and Talon Rowland won three events as the Randolph boys dominated their way to the Class D title with a score of 132, finishing ahead of second place Maple Grove at 85 points at Wilson High School.

Kelly went the distance for the Cardinals with top finishes in the 800, 1,600 and 3,200 meters at times of 2:05.32, 4:37.45 and 10:35.63. Then Rowland sprinted to wins in the 100, 200 and 400 at times of 10.89, 22.24 and 49.05.

Randolph also swept the pole vault with Caden Inkley reaching a height of 14-feet for the boys and then Eve Adams claimed first for the Randolph girls at a height of 9-feet.

Jonah Foley did his best to lead Maple Grove to a second place finish, winning the high jump at 6-0, long jump at 21-2.75 and triple jump at 43-2.50. The Red Dragons also won the 3,200-meter relay as Sean Verbosky, Ethan Verbosky, Jacob Lewis and Owen Erlandson teamed up for a time of 8:34.01.

Sydney Simmons won the only event for the Maple Grove girls as she claimed the 100-meter hurdles with a time of 16.53.

Clymer/Sherman/Panama had the highest girls team finish among local schools, sharing fourth with Holland. Isa Kioko was the only individual winner from the Wolfpack as she reached 4-10 in the high jump on fewer tries than Grace Teijeira of Holland.

Anthony Cipolla won the shot put for the Wolfpack boys, throwing 46-5.

The Frewsburg boys won two events with Cody Kent claiming the 3,000-meter steeplechase at 10:15.99 and Zayne Cline finishing first in the 110-meter hurdles at 15.70. Gracie Conlan won one event for the girls, finishing first in long jump at 16-6.25.

Gowanda’s Calie Hudson won the only event for the Panthers as she raced to first in the 2,000-meter steeplechase at a time of 7:50.36.

— — —

Christian Storms contributed to this report.

Newsletter

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

Starting at $2.99/week.

Subscribe Today