ALTOONA – The Bradford Lady Owls surprised even their coach
Friday night.

The Lady Owls scored in 13 of 18 events en route to winning the
team title (90 points) at the West Central Coaches Meet. Altoona
was a close second with 87 points.

“This was a nice surprise,” BAHS coach Larry Stillman
emphasized. “We went down to the meet to compete against the teams
from the district and from the center of the state.

“We were hoping that our athletes would improve and enjoy the
competition. The vast majority of our kids did improve and winning
for the second year in a row made it all the better. We also set
two school records along the way in exciting races.”

Leading Bradford was Alexa Wilton who won the 100 hurdles
(15.59) and 300 hurdles (46.20).

Chloe Nickel was second in the 300 hurdles (47.0). The 4×400
relay of Paige Ambrose, Lindsay Sherman, Tricia Copeland and Wilton
placed second (4:06.37) and set a school record. The old record was
4:08.42 set in 2006 by Katie White, Copeland, Sherman and
Nickel.

Erica Pascarella was third in the high jump (5′), Liz Keller
third in the 1600 (5:30.69) and the 4×100 relay of Ellie Hawkins,
Nickel, Sherman and Copeland placed third in a school record time
of 50.87. The previous record of 50.99 was set in 1995 by Jodie
Spaulding, Natalie Nuzzo, Mikael Simmons and Jennifer Tessena.

The 4×800 relay team of Ambrose, Marissa Buchheit, White and
Keller was fourth (10:11.28).

Fifth place finishers were Copeland (100, 13.08), Ambrose (800,
2:26.46), Sherman (200, 26.36), Katie Vecellio (discus, 105’5″) and
Whitney Cline (javelin, 107’11”).

Katie Slavinski was sixth in the high jump (4’10”) and Buchheit
sixth in the 3200 (12:15).

Taking seventh were Bobbi Hopkins (100 hurdles, 16.96), Sherman
(100, 13.16) and Vecellio (javelin, 99’7″).

Other good efforts were turned in by Pascarella (3200 run 10th,
12:32), Rachel Garges (pole vault 10th, 7’6″), Brooke Milbrandt
(shot put 9th, 30’10”) and Shea Miller (long jump 10th, 14’8″).

“This was a team victory and effort,” Stillman added. “Many
athletes contributed. All the coaches are proud of our
athletes.

“Setting two relay records in one night is unprecedented in our
history. The 4×100 record has stood for a while and was set by four
great athletes. The girls ran with determination against tough
opponents. We hope and believe these relays can go faster.

“Alexa won both hurdle races as a freshman and came on at the
end to win both races. She is really learning how to run a hurdle
race. She was pushed to the end by her teammate Chloe Nickel who
had a great race in the 300s.

“Bobbi placed in the 100 hurdles despite some lane problems.
They form one of the best hurdle groups in our program’s
history.

“Our sprinters – Tricia, Lindsay and Ellie – all ran well.
Tricia has been consistent and Lindsay ran the 100 and 200 for the
first time all year.

“The distance kids continued their good year. The 4×800 relay
got us off to a good start. Liz had her personal best in the 1600
by six seconds and Marissa improved 18 seconds in the 3200. Erica
had a solid 3200. Paige had her best 800 time and ran well in the
4×400 relay.

“Our high jumpers – Erica and Katie Slavinski – jumped hard and
both placed in a tough place to jump. We are very pleased with our
throwers. Katie Vecellio placed in the discus and javelin. She has
been solid for us this year.

“Whitney had a very good javelin and is just on the edge of
hitting a big throw. Brooke made finals and is having a fine first
year with us. The pole vaulters had their best night all year with
Rachel at 7’6” and Nicole Irons at 7′. They are figuring out what
they need to do.

“Shea Miller had good jumps in the long and triple and Britani
Wiseman had a good long jump (14’7 1/2″).”

Bradford is at Clearfield on Tuesday and travels to Kane on
Thursday.

“We have a lot of work left to do,” Stillman concluded. “We saw
all of our district opponents and they all have good athletes. We
were impressed with DuBois and Punxsutawney. They are good teams
that are well-coached. We will need to focus and push hard if we
hope to defend our District 9 title.”