Submitted Photo Fredonia’s Hessen Bahgat received a Section VI patch for finishing second in the pole vault, Friday, in the Section VI Track and Field Championships.

OBSERVER Staff Reports

WILLIAMSVILLE — The Fredonia Hillbillies track and field team saw impressive results in Day 1 of the Section VI track and field championships at Williamsville South High School on Friday afternoon, highlighted by a Hillbilly holding a red Sectional patch. Fredonia’s Hessen Bahgat placed second in the pole vault on Friday with a mark of 12-feet-six-inches.

Also for Fredonia, three athletes advanced to the finals with solid times on Friday. Oliver Madariaga qualified as the 3-seed for today’s 400m dash after a personal best time of 50.84 on Friday. Rian Budzinski also advanced to the 400 hurdles finals today, with a personal best time of 58.73. For the girls, Emily Brown won the 400 hurdles in a time of 1:06.80. Brown will also be competing today as the top seed in the 2,000m steeplechase. Also competing today for Fredonia is Nate Shuart in the discus for the boys and Anna Buchanan in the girls triple jump.

“All of our athletes had a good first day and we are looking forward to seeing how they perform in the finals,” said Fredonia coach Tom Stokes.

Dunkirk’s Petrella earns top seed in 400m

WILLIAMSVILLE — Dunkirk also had a solid first day at the Section VI championship meet on Friday afternoon, with multiple runners earning spots in today’s finals. Miracle Berakah ran a 52.99 in the 400m dash to earn a spot in today’s boys final, while Jericha Petrella earned a spot in the girls 400m final as the top seed, with a time of 59.18. Jonah Rosas also earned a spot in today’s final after a time of 23.65 in the 200m boys race, while Octavia Porter ran a 27.75 in the girls 200m to qualify for today’s event. In addition, the 4x100m relay team of the Marauders — consisting of Rosas, Berakah, Nelson Rosario and Matt Hanlon — ran a 44.92 to qualify for today’s final.

“It was a great day for a meet and I look forward to all the finals,” said Dunkirk coach Adam Woelfle.

The Marauders will also have Anthony Ruiz run in the steeplechase, Devin Eddy in the long jump, and both boys and girls 4x400m relay teams competing today.