Andy Close
SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. – Warren freshman Lilly Newton is headed to the PIAA track and field championships.
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Newton finished second in the 400 at Saturday’s District 10 Class 2A championships with a time of 1:00.03 seconds to punch her ticket to Shippensburg. The only runner to cross before Newton was Lakeview’s Lydia Reed with a time of 59.56.
The performance sheets for states have Newton listed 17th out of 27 qualifiers in the event. Newton was also eighth in the high jump, clearing 4-10 on what was a strong day for the unbeaten region champion Warren girls.
Lindsay Madigan was fifth in the 100 (13.20), Shyann Rulander was fifth in the 3200 (12:05.76) and seventh in the 1600 (5:40.58), Laney Gatto was seventh in the pole vault, clearing eight feet, while Jenna Kophazy was seventh in the javelin (94-7).
The relay teams also had strong performances, as the quartet of Newton, Madigan, Gatto, and Madelyn Nosel was third in the 4×100 with a time of 51.42, while the team of Newton, Madigan, Gracie Gatto, and Tori McMichael was fifth in the 4×400 4:20.38.
For the boys, Sam Lindell was seventh in the 3200 with a time of 10:19.79, while Ethan Best was seventh in both the 110 (16.8) and 300 (43.41) hurdles.
“We had a good showing, walking away with 17 medals and Lilly Newton qualified for the PIAA State Championships in the open 400 meters,” said Warren coach Kevin Dustin. “We try all season to compete at a high level but really put a lot of focus on getting to this meet and getting kids qualified for states. We are proud to see what this group was able to accomplish after working hard all season. Some of those returning are already talking about what they could do for next season because they missed a trip to states by seconds or fractions of a second. Its nice to see the kids develope a love for the sport, and a solid work ethic, developing their own goals, and of course achieving those goals at this meet.
“We love seeing the excitement in the kids for getting to compete at this meet and of course the even greater excitement when they walk out of the complex with medals around their neck. It was a very good season for Warren track and field this year with the boys being 4-1, the girls going undefeated and being region champions, coming home from Districts with a ton of success, and sending Lilly to States. We are really looking forward to next weekend and giving Lilly the best opportunity to bring home a state medal.”
Elsewhere, Youngsville’s Ethan Beers was third in the triple jump (42-2 ½) and Blake Myers seventh in the high jump, clearing 5-11.
For Eisenhower, Mackenzie Dunn was sixth in the shot put (32-0).
