The Bradford Owls repeated as the AAA District 9 Champions behind strong performances from Brayden Frair who won the 1600 meters(4:39.02), the 800 meters (1:56.12 — new District record) and took 2nd in the 3200 meters(10:01.77).

“We knew this was going to be a real three-way battle between DuBois,us and St.

Marys. Our main guys came through but it was the 2nds, 3rds, 4ths, and 5ths that won the day for the Owls,” Bradford boys coach Tom Tessena.

“Junior Fabian Shark won the triple jump with an incredible leap of 45 feet and .5 inches. He just missed the District record but he improved on best jump by almost three feet. I never saw anyone do that. Andrew Giordano repeated as champion in the javelin with a throw of 172 ft 10 inches. He improved on his best throw by almost 22 feet. Junior Enzo Aiello came through big in the pole vault with a 14’3” jump for 1st place.

He just missed on his next height of 14’7.5” which would been a new District record.

“The weather seemed to be in charge of the outcome of the meet with several major fronts coming in with heavy rain, thunder and lightning. After a very slow start in the high jump and the Discus we were behind DuBois 18 to 5. We managed only third (Marcus Terwilliger 5’9”.) and fifth (Fabian Shark 5’7”) and were shut out in the discus. As the meet continued DuBois, Clearfield, and St.Marys were racking up quite a few points. We only placed third in the 4x800M relay behind Kadyn Tessena, Evan Troisi, Jordan Hogue, and Joe Caruso(8:45.14) with their fastest time of the year behind St.Marys and DuBois.

“Logan Kohler placed second in the 110M High Hurdles(15.45) but we were shut out of the 100M where DuBois, St.Marys, and Clearfield scored big points.

The next event was one of our bests with Brayden Frair. Frair set five distances records this year and was considered the heavy favorite in the 1600M but the weather came in fast and strong with heavy rain, thunder, and lightning,” Tessena said. “The meet was suspended and everyone had to shelter in their busses. After close to an hour, the meet was resumed.

Friar won the event and 8 much needed points but St. Marys scored 10 points with 2nd and 3rd. Meanwhile the javelin, triple jump, and pole vault had started. Andrew Giordano was only ranked 5th but he came through with a monster throw of 172’10”and Joe Cary placed 5th(142’8”). This gave us 9 points and we closed the gap to 26 to 37 for DuBois. Then DuBois won the 4x100M relay.

We placed 3rd in our best time of the year 45:08 in a virtual tie with Clearfield but the computer decided against us. Enzo Aiello, Logan Kohler,Jermiah Long, and Fabian Shark ran well. Now we were down 30 to 44.

“We weren’t favored in the triple but our guys got it done behind Fabian Shark(1st 45’.5”), Danny Marasco(4th 41’1”) and Marcus Terwilliger(5th 49’9.75”). This gave us 11 points and brought the score to 41 to 44 as DuBois was shut out.

We got 3 points in the Shot Put with Andrew Giordano(41’5.5”) and Konnor Phillips(SHOT 41’2.’) but DuBois won the event.”

“Now the score was 44 to 52. Meanwhile we were doing well in the Pole vault behind Enzo Aiell who had a personal best of 14’3” for 1st and Sophomore Cooper McGee took 4th(12’3”).

Dubois did get 3rd but the score was now 54 to 56. Back on the Track Danny Marasco took 2nd in the 400M(52.25) and Kadyn Tessena was 5th(55.02). That brought the score to 61 to 62. The next event was the 300M Intermediate hurdles and Logan Kohler finished third(41.37). DuBois got 4th for 2 points. Now the score was 65 to 64. The next event on the track was the 800M and we had Frair. He didn’t disappoint. He won easily and set a new District a new District record with a 1:56.12. Dubois managed a 5th place for 1 point.

Now the score 73 to 65.

We knew we had to build a lead because DuBois was going to score at least 12 points in the 200 meters and we had no chance in that event.

“The last field event was the long jump and Danny Marasco( 3rd — 21’5.75”) and Fabian Shark(4th — 20’5.75”) gave us 6 more points to run our score to 79 to 65.

DuBois responded to the challenge and scored 12 points in the 200m, taking 2nd 3rd, and 4th. Now the score was 79 to77.

In the next to last event ,the 3200M) Brayden Frair placed 2nd even though he struggled with cramps he finished the race. That gave Bradford 91 points. DuBois picked up 1 point to bring their score to 83. DuBois was sure to win the 4x400M relay and the 8 points that went with it, giving them 91 points,” Tessena said. “We needed to place at least 4th and score 2 points to seal the victory.

Our fastest man, Brayden Frair, was not going to be able to run so it was up to four guys to get that place. Logan Kohler had already run the HH,IH, and the 4x100M. Marcus Terwilliger had done all three jump with 6 jumps in each event, Kadyn Tessena had run the 4×800 relay, the 400M and the 800M, Danny Marasco had done the long and triple jumps plus the 400M.

Each of these guys were also hurting from various injuries. They took care of business and got the 4th place running 3:37.68 on tired injure legs. This gave us the win in the closest finish I had ever seen in my 54 years of being the head coach. This also marked the 27th district 9 AAA title in those 54 years.

“We had some great performances from Frair, Shark, Giordano, and Aiello but the rest of our guys gave everything they had to bring home the win. Dave Cercone did a great job with the throwers. Likewise Travis Faulkner had his guys ready in the distance and relays. Girls Head coach Larry Stillman did a fantastic job as usual with the jumpers. His two coaches Natali Marasco and Mark Kelley were also very helpful in our success,” Tessena said.

“Our two pole vaulters Enzo Aiello and Cooper McGee coached each other. Aiello now is the #3 Alltime Bradford vaulter and Cooper is number #10. Fabian Sherk is #4 in the triple jump alltime. Danny Marasco is #4 in the long jump and Andrew Giordano is #8 in the Javelin. Friar is number 1 in the 800M, 1600M, 1 mile,3200M, and 2000 meter Steeplechase.

This is a pretty special group of athletes and coaches. Athletic Director Mike Erickson was very helpful as well and our trainer Mona Cornell did a fantastic job treating our guys and keeping them ready to compete.

“We are going to miss our 4 Seniors, Brayden Frair, Joe Caruso, Joe Cary , Dom Dal Pos. They did a great job all the years they were on the team.

Other guys who participated today were Tony McDonald (10th in HH 19.29, 12th in IH 51.93) and Noah Mackey(12th in the HH 22.46 and11th in IH — 11th 51.22)), Jeremiah Long(9th 11.98 in the 100m) Dom Dal Pos(200M -9th-25.65), Matt DeCasper( 100M 10th-12.44, 200M-10th 25.73), Sam Kakolowski (100M -12th 12.59 and 200M 12th 26.08), Jordan Hogue (400M -56.19),Cavan Drake(800M 13th 2:22.91), Joe Caruso(1600M 6th 4:48.23 and 3200M 6TH 10:40.25)), Evan Troisi(3200m 8th 11:14), Kadyn Tessena( 6th 2:09.10) , Marcus Terwilliger (LJ — 6th 20’0”), Landon Davenport ( Discus 6th 120’4”, Shot 8th 38’0”), Joe Cary ( Discus 7TH 119’10”).

The Owls have four guys going on to Shippensburg for the PA State Championship on Friday and Saturday.

Enzo Aiello will Pole Vault, Andrew Giordano will throw the Javelin, Fabian Sherk will Triple Jump, and Brayden Frair will run the 1600M and the 800M.