MANSFIELD — The Bradford girls track and field team turned in a dominant performance Thursday, as the Lady Owls claimed nine events on their way to a team championship at the Mansfield Invitational.
Bradford’s 135 points topped the team field, while the Lady Owls turned in 16 total top-8 performances. Korie Dixon broke an 11-year school record in the 2000-meter steeplechase, earning 1st place in 8:20.57.
“A great day for the girls, as we experienced many seasons of weather and tough winds,” Bradford coach Larry Stillman said. “They fought through it all day into the night and earned the team title. We had many highlights, with (Dixon) breaking the steeplechase record while her teammates cheered for her — a fun moment.”
Abbigail Schleicher and Sophia Asp each brought home a pair of 1st-place finishes for the Lady Owls. Schleicher was dominant in the sprints, winning the 200-meter dash in 27.55 seconds and the 400 in 1:02.33. Asp, meanwhile, claimed shot put and discus with a pair of personal bests, winning the former with a toss of 30-9.5 feet and the latter with a throw of 100-3.
Schleicher added a 4th-place finish in the 100 meters, in addition to her two golds.
Alexia Corignani won the 100 in a blistering 16.7 seconds, while Abbie Nuzzo took gold in the pole vault, jumping nine feet. Nuzzo tacked on a 3rd-place finish in javelin.
Bradford won two of the relays, including a 4:18.89 finish from the 1600-meter squad of Emma Swanson, Marissa Miller, Korie Dixon and Abbigail Schleicher. The Lady Owls took the 3200 relay, as well, as Caitlyn Taylor, Miller, Bella Prince and Emma Swanson finished in 10:26.1.
Swanson finished 3rd in the 300 hurdles, as she battled to medal in each of her four races Thursday. Kelcie Little was 2nd in the 100 hurdles.
Kara Longo was 4th in pole vault and Lanie Allen was 6th in the event, rounding out a strong group of Lady Owl vaulters. Jessica Fox was 3rd in high jump, Eliana Curcio was 7th in triple jump, Lilly Kemick was 7th in discus and Bradford’s 400 relay team finished 5th.
Bradford will return to competition Tuesday when it travels to Brookville.
