Brian Hagberg
SMETHPORT, Pa. – The Sheffield boys finished the regular season with an 8-1 record after earning a sweep of Northern Potter and Smethport at Smethport on Tuesday.
The Wolverines beat Smethport, 93-56, and were victorious over Northern Potter, 105.5-23.5. The Lady Wolverines earned a split at the tri-meet to finish the season 3-6. Sheffield topped Northern Potter, 81-19, and lost to Smethport, 81-61.
“We were focused on adding district qualifiers tonight as our chances are coming to a close,” Sheffield coach Jason Snell said.
Collin Brown, who had four first-place finishes, punched his ticket to the District 9 Championships in the 200 with a time of 23.80. Brown also took first in the 100, and was on a pair of relays, the 4×100 and 4×400, that finished first as well.
Running with Brown on the 4×100 were Colby Barr, Jack Chapman, and Leihden Wotorson. Chapman has been filling in for the injured Lucas McNeal.
“I was very pleased to see them still get a really good time without our injured anchor and senior star Lucas McNeal,” Snell said. “Jack Chapman has been filling in for two weeks now and doing an amazing job. Especially for a freshman!”
The 4×400 team of Brown, Trenton Mead, Jaylen Dogherty, and Dylan Hardwick nearly qualified for districts as well with a time of 3:49.90. The qualifying time is 3:48.
“The 4×400 relay ran without our typical anchor and fastest 400 runner Colby Barr and PR’d and just missed that district mark,” Snell said. “Having good numbers and so many great kids involved In this program, our next man-up mentality has been so solid this year. When you call on someone to step up into the spotlight, we have gone beyond expectations and I couldn’t be more proud.”
Sheffield swept the relays as the 4×800 team of Emre Morgan, Mead, Alex Eaton, and Hardwick took first with a time of 9:28.22, setting a new personal record by 11 seconds.
Hardwick also took first in the 800 (2:12), Eaton won the 3200 (12:01), and Connor Finch won the high (5’2″) and triple jumps (36’10.5″).
Kassidy Orinko gave herself a trio of birthday presents with wins in the long (14’11”) and triple jumps (29’11.5″), and was part of the first-place 4×100 relay (56.70), along with Bryanna Butler, Kadence Steffan, and Emma Roell.
“It was great seeing Kassidy compete so well on her special day,” Snell said. “Three first places on your birthday sounds like a pretty great accomplishment to me, but the awesome competitor she is was disappointed she didn’t win the high jump too.”
Roell also took first place in the discus (84’8″).
“It took everything Emma had to keep herself in the circle after she finished running the two mile,” Snell said. “Her legs were absolute jello, but she still managed to get the winning throw out there. She has stepped up so many times in almost every event this year to fill openings to help her team. Usually you don’t see this level of commitment and leadership at this age, but this is also why Emma achieves the success she does.”
Emily Foster took first in a new event for her, the shot put (28′).
“Our typical jumper extraordinaire tried shot in practice the other day and all I could say was wow,” Snell said. “Not surprised though. Emily is an athlete you could throw in any event.”
Sheffield will head to Port Allegany on Friday for the Northern Tier League Championships, and a final chance to qualify for districts.
“Was a great way to end the season heading into the Northern Tier Championships Friday and Districts next Friday,” Snell said. “Hopefully those ALMOSTS today for district qualifications will be a reality Friday. They have worked so hard and want it so badly. We want a full bus heading to Brookville next Friday!”
