SHIPPENSBURG — Senior Gavin McGee placed ninth in the triple jump with a jump of 44 feet, 6.5 inches for Bradford during Saturday’s PIAA track and field Class AAA state championships.
He just missed the eighth-place medal by 1.5 inches. He also was 14th in the long jump with a distance of 20-feet, 9.5 inches.
“Gavin actually had a jump of 22 feet that would have placed him in the top group but narrowly followed by one inch,” Bradford coach Tom Tessena said. “This was a tough day to compete with temperatures in the high 40s to low 50s with rain and a strong head wind. The (Class) AA meet on Friday definitely had a better day…They also moved the high jump and pole vault event inside because of the weather.”
Tessena also added: “Gavin had a tremendous year in both the long jump and triple jumps. He never lost a triple jump until states and was tied only once in the long jump. He won the high jump as well at districts but passed on trying to do three jumps at states. Coach Larry Stillman and Gavin had worked so hard this year with the goal in mind of medaling at states. Coaches Matt Teribery and Natalie Marasco also worked with Gavin.”
McGee also broke the triple jump record at districts that was held by Bradford track and field legend Brian Schimp (1996) and was named co-winner of the James Manners award along with teammate Alex Liners as the most valuable performer at districts.
“Gavin is a great young man who will be successful in anything he chooses,” Tessena said. “We will also miss his leadership going forward.”
Senior Alex Liners put together solid performances in both the 110-meter and 300-meter hurdles. He finished 22nd in the 110-meter hurdles with a time of 16.21 seconds and 20th in the 300-meter hurdles in 41.95.
“Alex had a great senior year capped by the co-Manners Award winner at districts,” Tessena said. “He was also very good at working with and encouraging our younger hurdlers.”
Bradford’s 400-meter relay team of Jake Pattison, Gabe Mitchell, Andrew Kane and Jerid Wilmoth placed 23rd in 47.64 seconds.
“We had some problems with our handoffs, but these guys really worked hard all year and got better each week,” Tessena said. “We will definitely miss seniors Jake Pattison and Gabe Mitchell. Gabe improved more than almost anyone I have ever worked in the sprints. He went from being a 3200-meter runner to a 11.63 time in 100 meters and a 23.86 in the 200 meters. These guys will be hard to replace.”
Tessena also expressed gratitude to the entire Bradford coaching staff with season in the books.
“I would like to thank Coach Stillman and his staff for all their help and congratulate them on their District 9 championship. I would like to thank my assistant coaches Mark Kelley and Dave Cercone for another outstanding season. These guys always went beyond to make our guys the best they could be,” Tessena said.
“I would like to thank Mike Erickson, the school administration and school board for their support this season. I would like to thank the athletic trainer Alisa Cornell for all her hard work keeping our athletes healthy this season. We had another undefeated regular season, our 24th one. We also extend our dual meet winning streak to 49 straight. Next year will be challenging to continue this streak.”
GIRLS RESULTS
For the Lady Owls, Abbigail Schleicher finished 27th in the 200-meter dash in 27.54 seconds and 27th in the 400-meter run in 1:01.70.
Abbie Nuzzo came in 23rd in the javelin (87-10) and 25th in the triple jump (32-8.5).
“The girls competed hard in tough weather conditions,” Bradford girls coach Larry Stillman said. “They both had outstanding seasons and we hope to see them at states again next year. I would like to thank the girls their families and especially my assistant coaches Natalie Marasco, Regan Johnson and Matt Teribery for making this season special.”
