OBSERVER Staff Report

HOUGHTON — On Saturday, both the Dunkirk-Silver Creek and Fredonia indoor track teams traveled to Houghton College for the Highland Invitational. Both teams saw great individual and team performances at the event.

For the girls, individually, both Juliana Flick and Jericha Petrella of Dunkirk-Silver Creek earned a sectional qualification in the 600m. Flick ran a 1:45.54 which was good for 8th and Petrella ran a 1:38.69 that earned her second and hit the state standard for the third competitor. For the 300 Flick ran a 43.43 that was good for third and Emily Brown of Fredonia ran 45.21 earning her ninth place. Brown’s best performance came in the 1,500 when she ran 5:07.18 for fourth place and Sierra Jacques of the Marauders ran a 5:23.93 making her eligible for the New Balance 8th Grade Mile in March. In the relay events the Lady Marauders saw their best success in the 4×400 with the team of Flick, Jacques, Petrella and Procknal earning second place with a time of 4:23.08.

In the boys competition both teams saw some notable performances. In the 1,000 Diego Rey of Fredonia ran a 2:47.14 and Anthony Ruiz of the Dunkirk-Silver Creek ran a 2:47.53, the times were good for fifth and eighth place, respectively. Angel Rios and Miracle Berakah of the Marauders both ran strong 300s and each qualified for sectionals, Berakah ran a 38.54 and Rios ran a 39.44. In the relay events the team of Berakah, Ruiz, Rios, and Nelson Rosario came together to run a 3:39.53 in the 4×400 after coming out of a slow heat. That time was good for second overall and broke the Dunkirk school record previously held by Nelson Estrada-Cruz, Mike Sanchez, Christopher Michalski, and Rosario. Jonah Rosas joined Rosario, Ruiz, and Berakah in the 4×200 where they ran a 2nd place finish in 1:36.87, tying the Dunkirk school record held by Miguel Alecia, Julio Cheverez, Devante Lockett, and Jose Morales.

In the field events, Kelly Lucas of the Lady Hillbillies earned fifth place in High Jump as she surpassed a height of 4’6“. For the boys, Fredonia’s Hessen Bahgat earned a pair of top ten finishes as he got fifth in Pole Vault with an 11-06.0 and ninth place in High Jump with a height of 5’6”.

“This was a much needed week for these athletes,” said Dunkirk-Silver Creek Coach Adam Woelfle. “Besides those that finished in the top eight, almost every other athlete had a personal best in their events. Honestly the forced rest from the snow, was much needed especially in this long season.”

The 9th and 10th grade Championships is now next Friday after a reschedule due to snow and that will be at Houghton. Both teams will be in action next Saturday morning at Fredonia for a meet.

This article will be published in print for Monday’s OBSERVER.