KANE — On a day filled with outstanding performances from both Bradford High track teams, the trio of John Eakin, Jaron Ambrose, and Ashton McGriff all had days to remember at Saturday’s Kane Invitational.

Eakin made history in the shot put, breaking Jim Nelson’s 49-year old school record with a toss of 58’3”. For good measure, Eakin also took first in the discus with a throw of 135’7”. Those performances were good enough to net Eakin the Outstanding AAA Field Performer Award.

“This is only John’s third meet this year and he has been exciting the fans with over 60 foot throws warming up as he did today,” longtime BHS coach Tom Tessena said. “He just missed the record by 3.5 inches in the first meet and three inches the second. He eclipsed the record on his 5th throw of the day and his 2nd throw in the finals. He currently is the top thrower in PA. I was fortunate enough to be coaching when Jim Nelson set this record back in 1970 so it was exciting to see John break it today.”

Meanwhile, Ambrose had a banner day on the track en route to winning the Outstanding AAA Track Performer Award. Ambrose took first in both the 110 high hurdles (15.71) and the 300 intermediate hurdles (41.69). He also led off the winning 400 relay (45.22) along with Jake Pattison, Matt Stafford, and Donny Pattison, while also running in the second-place 1600 relay (3:40.98) with Jake Pattison, Nate Blauser, and Tyler Kraft.

“We were without two of our top guys and Jake Pattison stepped up again to run well,” Tessena said. “Ambrose had to give up his high jump event to help the team. That is just another example of the type of team man Jaron is.”

McGriff, meanwhile, took home the Girls Outstanding AAA Track Performer Award for her performance on Saturday.

McGriff took first place in both the triple jump (34’7.5”) and 300 hurdles (45.57), while running in the winning 1600 relay (4:13.96) with Erica Marshall, Regan Johnson, and Emily Bosworth. She also added a second-place finish in the 200 (25.99).

“Ashton had a great day in all her events but really finished the day by coming from behind to win the 4×400 relay,” Lady Owls coach Larry Stillman said. “She hit season bests in all her events and earned her MVP.”

Bradford had great days from members of both teams, with the boys finishing with 126 points and the girls netting 107 points, both of which were good enough for first place.

Junior Matt stafford earned a trio of second-place finishes in the 110 hurdles (16.16), 300 hurdles (42.28), and 200 (23.98) as well as running in the 400 relay.
“Matt is one of the top hurdlers and sprinters in the area and really did well with not being at his best,” Tessena said. “That is a mark of a true team man.”

Junior Donny Pattison placed second in the 100 (11.71), third in the 200 (24.54), and anchoring the 400 relay to an exciting victory.  

Sophomore Tyler Kraft placed third in the 800 (2:10.99) and ran strong legs in the 3200 and 1600 relays.

“Nate Blauser did well in both of those relays,” Tessena said. “The 4×800 team of Kraft, Blauser, David Allen, and Vinnie Bizzarro ran 8:55.91 on the windy Kane track.  

“Bizzarro came back to place sixth in the long jump (19’1”) before an injury sidelined him for the rest of the day.

“Jake Pattison was a pleasant surprise filling in in both the sprint relays and taking a sixth place in the 400 meters as well,” Tessena said. “It is rare to have a freshman do well in his first invitational but to fill in at the last minute and do well is tremendous.”
“We had some other guys who ran well. Cade Hayden (5:10.73) and freshman Quentin Minard (5:17.79) had personal bests, while freshman 3200 runners Gabe Mitchell (11:19.24) and Ryan Cottillion (11:28.21) also recorded personal bests.  

“The younger guys have been especially hurt by not having meets this year. They gave it their best day.”
In the field events junior Steve Kellam placed third in the pole vault with a personal best of 12 feet. Freshman Ian Paterniti had his best of nine feet. Blauser was ninth in the triple jump (38’.25”) while Kellam placed seventh in the long jump (19’). Senior Ryan Whittemore placed third in the javelin (147’3”) and also took fourth in the shot put (41’6”).
“Going forward we have to get healthy and get in better shape,” Tessena said. “The weather and lack of meets has really hurt our times and distances. We host an improving DuBois Beaver squad on Tuesday and hope to get some of our key guys back. We are running out of time with less than four weeks until Districts. Most of our guys stepped up today but we will need all hands on deck for Districts if we are to have a chance to repeat as District Champs this year.”

On the girls side, the Lady Owls’ 1600 relay team (4:13.96) of Erica Marshall, Regan Johnson, Emily Bosworth, and Ashton McGriff took first, while the 400 relay team (53.00) of Logan Sunafrank, Alexis Huber, Marshall, and Johnson took second.

Johnson, Marshall, and Bosworth all had big days individually as well: Johnson won the long jump (17’0.25”) and placed third in the 100 (13.00); Marshall was second in the 300 hurdles (52.54) and third in the 100 hurdles (17.98); and Bosworth finished fourth in the 800 (2:34.6) and fifth in the 1600 (6:01.11).

“Regan Johnson and Erica Marshall had outstanding days,” Stillman said. “Regan became only the third girl in our program history to go over 17 feet in the long jump and sprinted well all day. Erica had an excellent day in the hurdles and the relays. Freshmen Emily Bosworth and Hannah Lary were very good in the distance races. They have become two of best mid distance runners in the area.”

Lary placed third in the 3200 (13:17.23).

Abby Coffman had a big day in the field events, finishing third in the javelin (110’3”), seventh in the shot put (31’4”), and 13th in the discus (80’3”).

“Abby had her best overall day in the throwers with a career best javelin throw of 110 feet which puts her in great standing in the district,” Stillman said.

“Our pole vaulters Alexis Huber (8’6”), Taylar Mager (7’6”), and Mackenzie Lucas (7’) all did well with Alexis finishing second. I also thought we got solid efforts and improvement from Shea Crissman in the 800 (2:54.37), Logan Sunafrank in the javelin (96’4”), Mikah Watkins in the 400 (68.54) and Sophia Oliver in the discus (89’10”).”

The Owls will host DuBois on Tuesday at 4 p.m.