There were a number of impressive performances in the Bradford High girls’ track and field team’s 102-47 over St. Marys, but none more so than Liz Coppella.
Coppella topped her own school and district pole vault record, clearing 11 feet, as Bradford eased past St. Marys.
For Coppella, the 11-foot vault broke her previous mark of 10’9’’ set at districts last season.
“Liz and coach Matt Teribery have focused on really taking the vault to a new level,” said Bradford coach Larry Stillman. “Overall, it was a good start to the year. We looked very good in most of our events.”
As well as Coppella, it was a big day for some of the returning leaders for the Lady Owls, notably Ann Confer, Ali Rinfrette and Kristen Gardner.
Confer was the lone four-event winner for Bradford, capturing the 100, long jump and high jump, as well as part of the winning 400 relay team that also included Coppella, freshman Morgan Roggenbaum and senior Haley Vinelli.
Rinfrette, meanwhile, easily won both hurdle races, as well as running on the winning 1600 relay team that also included Brooke Butler, Vinelli and Gardner. Gardner, in addition to being on the winning 1600 and 3200 relay teams, won the 800 in 2:30, with an 11-second gap between her and the second-place finisher.
“Ann Confer was very strong in all of her events, especially the long jump and 100 meters,” Stillman said. “Ali and Kristen both dominated their specialties as did Brooke and Makaila (Banka) with Haley running very well in the two sprint relays and the 100.”
Butler captured the 400 in a time of 1:06 and Banka swept the 1600 and 3200 in impressive fashion.
Stillman also noted the strength of his relay teams, particularly the 4 x 100.
“Our 4 x 100 of Morgan, Liz, Ann and Haley really put down an outstanding time for the first of April,” the coach said. “Our young hurdlers Rachel Borland (second in both the 100 and 300 hurdles) and Sabrina Vaccaro (third in both hurdles) looked good. Courtney Shade and Morgan Roggenbaum looked solid in the 200. Lee Woodmansee placed second in the pole vault. In the distance races, Riley Crissman ran a good 3200 and our 4 x 800 of Riley, Kristen, Angel Hutchings and Courtney Shade looked much better with a very nice split from Courtney.”
Carli Bennett also took a first for the Lady Owls, winning the triple jump with a leap of 31’3’’.
“Carli Bennett had a excellent night jumping winning the triple jump with a career best 31’3’’ and taking second in the long jump with a 15’3 1/2’’ jump. In the throws, Chelsea Madore was second in the javelin, losing by one inch and Payton Ambrose threw over 80 feet in the shot. Payton placed second in the shot put with a 29-foot throw and she is just started in these events and Laura Black had a solid shot throw.”
With a solid performance in their dual meet opener, it’s now onto Saturday when the Lady Owls take part in the Brookville Invitational.
BRADFORD 102, ST. MARYS 47
100 — Ann Confer (B), 12.9
200 — Kaitlyn Barackman (S), 27.9
400 — Brooke Butler (B), 1:06
800 — Kristen Gardner (B), 2:30
1600 — Makaila Banka (B), 5:51
3200 — Banka (B), 12:40
110 Hurdles — Ali Rinfrette (B), 16.9
300 Hurdles — Rinfrette (B), 49.6
400 Relay — Bradford (Morgan Roggenbaum, Liz Coppella, Confer, Haley Vinelli), 52.5
1600 Relay — Bradford (Vinelli, Gardner, Butler, Rinfrette), 4:24
3200 Relay — Bradford (Riley Crissman, Courtney Shade, Angel Hutchings, Gardner), 10:51.2
Long Jump — Confer (B), 16’0”
Triple Jump — Carli Bennett (B), 31’3”
High Jump — Confer (B), 4’10”
Shot Put — Alli Oranak (S), 30’4”
Discus — Aubrey Wiesner (S), 84’2”
Pole Vault — Liz Coppella (B), 11’0” (School Record)
Javelin — Lana Hanes (S), 94’2”
