×

Hillbillies indoor track teams boast multiple winners at Buffalo State

Special to the OBSERVER

BUFFALO — The Fredonia Hillbillies varsity boys indoor track & field team traveled to Buffalo State on Saturday, December 14 for their second meet of the season. Several athletes performed well and improved their times or distances from last week’s meet at Fredonia State.

Leading the way for the Fredonia boys was Oliver Madariaga, who placed first in the 300 meter dash. His time of 38.19 qualified him for the Section VI meet in February at Houghton College. Fredonia senior Rian Budzinski also brought home a first place finish in the triple jump and placed second in the long jump. He is just six inches away from qualifying for the Section VI meet in the long jump. Hessen Bahgat leaped 5-feet-6-inches in the high jump to take second and was fifth in the 55 meter high hurdles. Also, although freshman distance runner Adam Lesch did not place in the 3200 and 1600 meter runs, he lowered his times considerably in both events from the first week.

“The team has good balance and we have a top athlete in all five field events” said Fredonia boys track and field coach Mark Benton. “However, the shot put and pole vault events were not contested at Buffalo State.”

The Fredonia girls track and field team also saw a first place finish on the day, as Savannah Lashbrook took first in the 3000 meter run in 11:47.87. She was also fifth in the 1500 meter run in a season’s best time of 5:33.91. Lashbrook was far from the only Lady Billies’ standout, as Fredonia’s Kelly Lucas placed second in the high jump with a jump of 4-feet-8-inches, while teammate Abby Lauer was fifth in the same event with a 4-foot-2-inch mark. Fredonia’s Ava Cook was seventh in both the 55 meter dash (8.08) and in the 300 meter dash (47:99).

Katie Czekanski (12.48) and Cayla Warner (14.26) each ran personal bests in the 55 meter hurdles, while Haley Zadzilka (6:33) and Joella Bauza (6:59) had personal bests in the 1500 meter run.

“The team continues to show some good improvement, which should set them up well for the next meet,” said Fredonia girls track and field coach Tom Stokes.

Both of the Fredonia teams return to action on Jan. 4 when they will compete at the Houghton College Invitational.

Newsletter

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

Starting at $4.62/week.

Subscribe Today