Brian Hagberg
NORTH EAST, Pa. – For the second time this season, Sheffield ventured into District 10 territory and the Wolverines track and field team came back with more than a dozen medals from the North East Invitational on Saturday.
“It was the most perfect conditions weather-wise and such a gorgeous day for an invitational,” Sheffield coach Jason Snell said. “We came with goals of many personal bests, many medals awarded, have a blast together as the season end nears, and District qualifications. We were able to accomplish all of them!”
Emma Roell qualified for the District 9 championships in the discus with a throw of 101’8″, nearly 10 feet longer than the district-qualifying standard. The throw was also good for a third-place finish at the invitational.
Roell picked up a second bronze medal in the first leg of the 4×800 relay, along with Kayle Bell, Emily Davidson, and Madison Connolly. Roell was also on the 4×100 relay, with Lily Benton, Kadence Steffan, and Emily Foster, that finished fifth.
“Emma was also able to make the finals in the 100-meter dash but was unable to reach the podium in that event,” Snell said. “She was all over the place running from one event to the other. For her to put on the performance she did was amazing. It was like an Olympic event of her own just trying to get to all of her different events. Absolutely outstanding performance by a freshman!”
Other lady Wolverines who medaled were Foster in the high jump (3rd place) and Davidson in the javelin (8th place).
The 4×800 and 4×100 boys relays also medaled, both taking fourth. Emre Morgan, Alex Eaton, Marc Lewis, and Dylan Hardwick ran the 4×800, while Colby Barr, Collin Brown, Jack Chapman, and Lucas McNeal ran the 4×100.
Brown finished sixth in the 200, Hardwick was sixth in the 800, Alex Eaton was seventh in the 3200, and McNeal was sixth in the triple jump and eighth in the high jump.
“To hang with some of these big Erie schools and bring home so many awards for our little town of Sheffield doesn’t happen,” Snell said. “A lot of these wonderful kids/athletes are peaking at the best time!”
The invitational concluded with a unique event, a co-ed 4×400 relay. Sheffield’s mixed relay of Davidson, Sarah Hoffman, Brown, and Barr edged out McDowell for a seventh-place finish.
“It was such an exciting and fun event to witness,” Snell said. “All four held with the pack and gave their all to edge out the Erie McDowell team to earn the 7th place medal. All four had the biggest smiles on their faces on the podium. Such a great and fun race that created quite the electric atmosphere to end such a memorable afternoon of so many top-notch efforts and performances!”
Sheffield wraps up the regular season on Tuesday at Smethport for a tri-meet with the Hubbers and Northern Potter. On Friday, the Wolverines will head to Port Allegany for the Northern Tier League Championships. The District 9 Championships are set for Friday, May 19 at Brookville High School.
“A great time to be peaking indeed,” Snell said. “Hate to see this season coming to an end, but so excited to see how this year’s chapter in Wolverine track history ends!”
