Track and field

Tri-Valley glides to victory over Liberty

By RICHARD A. ROSS

GRAHAMSVILLE, NY — Depth, experience and fast-footed performances by some of the county’s best track and field athletes propelled Tri-Valley over Liberty in the Bears’ opening dual meet of the season on April 6. In terms of sheer numbers, Tri-Valley had a compelling edge compared to Liberty in a majority of the events.

The bright, warm sunshine brought the afternoon temperatures into the mid-70s, making it feel more like May or June. It was a great day for both teams to hit the track, jump pits, throwing circle and pole vault and test their mettle and shake out the kinks as the season got underway.

Boys’ results

Tri-Valley’s Travis Wolfe looks to be rounding into fine form after a fall and winter beset by a nagging injury. Wolfe easily cruised to a win in the 800 (2:11.7), the 1600 (4:53.9) and ran a leg in the winning 4x400 and the 4x800 relay. Michael Kaplan, Jon Huppke and Derek Smith joined him in the 4x800. Smith also took the high jump (5-4) while Alan Coombe captured the shot put (46-6). Chris Mickelson took top honors in the discus (117-9). Liberty’s Peter Talerico won the 100 (11.7) and the 200 (24.8). Teammate Matt Arielly captured the triple jump (37-5). Other boys’ results were as follows (Liberty athletes indicated by (L) and Tri-Valley by (TV): 110 hurdles: Chris Goldsmith (L), 16,6; 4x100: Sean Messenger, Casey Grey, Derek Smith, Brett Hyde (TV), 48.9; 400: Kaplan (TV), 56.8; 3200: Jeremy Mathsen (TV), 11:52.5; 4x400: Huppke, Max Fiedler, Messenger and Wolfe (TV), 3:51.8; pole vault: Jacob Schwartz (L), 10-0; long jump: Matt Smith (TV), 17-1/2; hammer: Ryan Loughney (TV), 143-2.

Girls’ results

For most of the afternoon, it was the Tri-Valley girls against themselves as Liberty was unable to field athletes in a number of events. Courtney Roosa completed a sweep of the 800 (2:51), 1500 (5:43.8) and the 3000 (12:45.1). Jenn Gorman captured the 100 high hurdles (18.9), the 400 hurdles (1:15.9) and ran a leg in the winning 4x400 with Erin Beach, Melissa Fancher and Meghan Drown (4:44.6). Gormann also contributed to the winning 4x100 with Drown, Casey Offringa and Rebecca Pearston (56.2). Other girls’ results were as follows: 4x800: Fancher, Hupkee, Heather Riordan and Rachel Sandborn (TV), 11:47.2: 100: Miranda Benevides (TV), 14.3: 400: Drown (TV), 66.3: 200: Drown (28.9); shot put: Kanacia James (TV), 27-7; discus: Maggie Sanchick (L), 80-7; pole vault: Heather Knox (TV), 4-6; high jump: Pearston (TV), 4-2; triple jump: James (TV), 28-9; long jump: Benevides (TV), 13-31/4; hammer: Caity Baker (L) 91-1.

Tri-Valley traveled to Sullivan West and Liberty hosted Chester on April 12. See next week’s River Reporter for results.