WALKER, FRIEND LEAD ATHENS TO WINS OVER NEB, NP-M IN FINAL DUALS OF SEASON; BRONSON BREAKS SCHOOL RECORD IN 1,60

By: Tim Birney  /  May 3, 2022  /  Photo: Tim Birney

ATHENS — Senior Hannah Walker won four events, and junior Cassy Friend was a triple-winner to lead Athens to regular-season closing wins over Northeast Bradford and North Penn-Mansfield here Tuesday afternoon in NTL track & field action.

On Friday, freshman Sara Bronson established a new school record in the 3,200-meter run. On Tuesday,  junior Emma Bronson broke a long-standing school-record in the 1,600-meter run.

Emma Bronson finished second in the 1,600-meter run in a school-record time of 5:24.94, breaking the record of 5:27.2 set by Julie Young in 1986. Sara Bronson finished third in 5:25.4, which also broke the record.

“The 1600 was a tremendous race tonight,” said Athens coach Mike Bronson. “(NEB’s) Gracelynn Laudermilch, Emma, and Sara all ran really well, working together to all set PRs and a school record for Emma.”

Overall, Bronson was pleased with his team’s performance.

"The girls had a very solid meet tonight,” said Athens coach Mike Bronson. “We had a lot of girls set PRs, so we are definitely headed in the right direction leading up to NTLs and Districts.  

“Cassy Friend had a great meet,” he noted. “The throwers came through once again — Olivia Bartlow had a nice PR in the shot … and Hannah Walker had a great day.

“Now, we have 10 days until the NTL meet,” he added. “We will get back to work to sharpen up for the league meet and then districts.”

Athens amassed 106 points, while North Penn-Mansfield tallied 33 points, and NEB had 31 points.

Senior Olivia Bartlow, junior Emma Bronson, sophomores Mya Thompson and Thea Bentley, and freshman Sara Bronson were double-winners for the Lady Wildcats.

Hannah Walker won the 100-meter hurdles in a time of 17.44 seconds, and sophomore Emily Henderson was second in 18.21 seconds. Walker also won the 300-meter hurdles in 49.73 seconds, and Henderson was second in 1:08.29.

Hannah Walker teamed with Henderson, junior Jenny Ryan, and freshman Addy Wheeler to win the 400-meter relay in 56.49 seconds.

Hannah Walker also won the 200-meter dash in 28.26 seconds, while Friend was second in 29.09 seconds, and Ryan was fourth in 30.6 seconds.

Friend won the 400-meter dash in 1:04.84, and Thompson was second in 1:07.45.

Friend led a sweep in the long jump with a leap of 14-feet, 2-inches, while senior Taylor Walker was second at 13-feet, 11 1/2-inches, Ryan was third at 13-feet, 9 1/2-inches, and Thompson was fourth at 13-feet, 8-inches.

Emma Bronson won the 3,200-meter run in a time of 13:13.59, and Sara Bronson was second in 13:13.64.

The Bronsons teamed with Friend, and Bentley to win the 1,600-meter relay in a time of 4:52.08.

Bartlow won the shot put with a heave of 31-feet, 6-inches, while sophomore Emma Pernaselli was second at 30-feet, 4 1/2-inches.

Bartlow also won the discus with a toss of 94-feet, 9-inches, and Pernaselli was third at 78-feet, 7-inches.

Thompson won the triple jump with a mark of 31-feet, 4-inches, and Taylor Walker was third at 28-feet, 11-inches.

Bentley, sophomore Abby Prickitt, Thompson, and junior Audrey Clare teamed to win the 3,200-meter relay in a time of 12:43.23.

Hannah Earls was second in the high jump at 4-feet, 2-inches, and Taylor Walker was third at 3-feet, 10-inches.

Ryan finished third in the 100-meter dash in 14.32 seconds, and Henderson was fourth in 14.37 seconds.

Bentley finished third in the 800-meter run in 2:45.43, and Pernaselli finished third in the javelin with a throw of 81-feet, 4-inches.

Athens returns to action May 13 at the NTL Championships.