PUNXSUTAWNEY — For the fifth consecutive campaign, the Bradford Owls boys track and field team will head into the District championships with some momentum after capping off another undefeated dual-meet season.
The Owls (7-0) finished off their latest blemish-free season with a hard-fought 83-67 victory over Punxsutawney on Tuesday.
Leading Bradford was Mike Bosworth, who tripled in the 400 (52.65) and was part of the 400 and 1600-winning relay teams.
Steve Kellam, meanwhile, doubled in the long jump (19-7) and the pole vault (13-6) while Alex Liners took first in the 300 hurdles (42.70) and was part of the 1600 relay team.
Other members of the 1600 relay team that placed first in 3:36.17 were Tyler Kraft and Jerid Wilmoth, while Owen Kane, Donny Pattison and Jake Pattison joined Bosworth in winning the 400 relay in 44.77.
According to Bradford track coach Tom Tessena, that 400 relay mark came close to setting a school record while the 1600 was the group’s second-fastest time of the year.
And despite Punxsutawney winning more overall events than Bradford, the Owls netted plenty of their points via second and third place finishes.
Nate Blauser took silver in the high jumps, javelin and long jumps
“The meet started out very well for us in the triple jump where Gavin McGee won with a personal best (39-10.5),” Tessena said. “But it was nip and tuck between the two schools throughout. They took a lot of first places but we came up big in the second and third and 3200 right at the end of the meet.
“Then we won the 4×400 and we were first and second in the pole vault. Anybody’s meet until those last three events.”
Bradford took all three places in the shot put, with Mackey taking first (39-0) and Kevin Ackerman and Ryan Hughes grabbing the next two spots.
Other personal bests for Bradford included Kraft in the 800 (2:04.71) — where he lost by less than a half second to Andrew Wehrle — as well as Dylan Phillips (16.46), Liners (16.86) and Ethan Hollamby (18.21) in the high hurdles.
Liners and Hollamby then placed second and third, respectively, in the 300 hurdles.
Dakota Panighetti had a personal best in the triple jump (39-6) and Jake Pattison (54.41) and Wilmoth (54.61) had personal bests in the 400 to cap Bradford’s performances.
The Owls, winners of the last four D-9 boys track titles, will look to carry their regular season success into Districts in Brookville on May 17.
“Our seniors have never lost dual meet in their time here,” Tessena noted. “But Punxsy will be tougher at Districts. And then you mix in Clearfield, St. Marys and DuBois and it will be a challenge. Punxsy is the favorite.”
BOYS
AT PUNXSUTAWNEY
Bradford 83, Punxsutawney 67
100: Bayden Lyle (P) 11.26, 200: Lyle (P) 22.92, 400: Mike Bosworth (B) 52.65, 800: Andrew Wehrle (P) 2:04.46, 1,600: Owen Bartelbaugh (P) 4:38.96, 3,200: Aiden McLaughlin (P) 10:32.14, 400 relay: Bradford (Owen Kane, Donny Pattison, Jake Pattison, Bosworth) 44.77, 1,600 relay: Bradford (Tyler Kraft, Jerid Wilmoth, Alex Liners, Bosworth) 3:36.17, 3,200 relay: Punxsutawney (Kevin Ingrose, McLaughlin, Corbin Heitzenrater, Ethan May) 8:56.59, 110 hurdles: Dylan Phillips (B) 15.79, 300 hurdles: Alex Liners (B) 42.70, longjump: Steve Kellam (B) 19-7, triplejump: Gavin McGee (B) 39-10.5, highjump: Ethan Presloid (P) 6-0, shotput: Josh Mackey (B) 39-0, discus: Jacob Bellerillo (P) 124-04, polevault: Kellam (B) 13-6, javelin: Brandon Ishman (P) 141-03
