SALAMANCA — It was an interesting anecdote that came from a record-setting night on the Salamanca track.
In 1998, Kersten Scott, a teammate of Joe Thompson’s, held the block for Thompson when the Salamanca track star set the school record in the 400-meter dash. On Tuesday, 24 years later, she did it again … this time for another Warriors standout.
Arlen Newark broke Thompson’s record with a first-place time of :51.4 to lead Salamanca to a 76-52 victory over Gowanda on what coach Michelle Hill described as “an ideal night for a track and field meet.” His blocks were held by Scott, now an assistant coach whose married name is Furlong.
Incredibly, Newark had been running in the 1600-meter relay all year, but hadn’t actually participated in the open 400. He took a break from his usual events Tuesday to practice for an upcoming pentathlon, which included running in the 400. And in doing so, “his athleticism, drive and pure determination not only led to a first place but also a new school record,” Hill said.
“Arlen is incredibly versatile on the track and his work isn’t done this season,” Hill added. “His coaches are incredibly proud of this new achievement and we cannot wait to see what the rest of the season holds.”
Newark, a sophomore, also won the 110 hurdles (:18.0) and anchored the winning 1,600 relay team. Seventh-grader Taylor Hayes took first in both the 1,600 and 3,200-meter runs and Jesse Hill checked in first in the 200.
Carson Mohr added wins in both throwing events for the Warriors.
AT SALAMANCA
100: Vogtli (G) :11.9; 200: Hill (S) :25.4; 400: Newark (S) :51.4; 800: Bachek (G) 2:30.6; 1,600: Hayes (S) 6:40.5; 3,200: Hayes (S) 15:03.3; 400 relay: Gowanda (Latimore, Wilson, Bachek, Vogtli) :50.8; 1,600 relay: Salamanca (Auman, Mikulski, Hill, Newark) 3:56.7, 3,200 relay: Salamanca (Mikulski, Chudy, Hayes, Gebauer) 12:31.4; 110 hurdles: Newark (S) 18.0; 400 hurdles: Arbeiner (G) 1:10.6; long jump: Vogtli (G) 15-8.5; triple jump: Vogtli (G) 35-2.25; high jump: Harbison (G) 5-4; shot put: Mohr (S) 34-4; discus: Mohr (S) 79-3; pole vault: Chudy (S) 6-6.
GIRLS TRACK
Salamanca 97, Gowanda 38
SALAMANCA — Laurie Lafferty-John described it as liberating to finally have a picture-perfect day for competition.
Her Salamanca girls track and field team made the most of it.
Jillian Rea won both throwing events, the discus in notable fashion, to lead the Warriors to a 97-38 triumph over Gowanda in a CCAA battle Tuesday night. Rea tossed the discus in 93 feet, four inches, fifth-best in school history and a mark that automatically qualifies her for the Section 6 championships.
Michaelynn Lecceardone was a triple-winner, taking the 100 hurdles, long jump and triple jump while eighth-grader Gabbi Bly won both distance events for the Warriors, who logged 20 total personal bests. Harley Brown claimed the 400 hurdles with a personal-best time, Summer Downey won the 100 and Isabella Milks took the high jump. Aliyah Lee won the pole vault by clearing her best at seven feet, a top 10 mark in program annals.
“The best part of today was watching the kids actually enjoy the competition and to see them finally be able to stay warmed up and have a chance at getting their best today,” Lafferty-John said. “I feel as a team we are really peaking at the right time. Our girls our hungry for improvement and are working hard at practices to hone in on technique and mental preparation.”
Alex Liszkiewicz won the 200 and 400 for Gowanda.
AT SALAMANCA
100: Downey (S) :14.5; 200: Liszkiewicz (G) :30.0; 400: Liszkiewicz (G) 1:10.5; 800: Wilson (G) 2:55.8; 1,500: Bly (S) 6:33.3; 3,000: Bly (S) 14:32.2; 400 relay: Gowanda (Wilson, Ruzycki, Fort, Harvey) 1:00.6; 1,600 relay: Salamanca (Deboy, Brown, Downey, Lee), 3,200 relay: Salamanca (Brown, Milks, Bly, Oyer) 13:56.3; 100 hurdles: Lecceardone (S) :19.5; 400 hurdles: Brown (S) 1:17.2; long jump: Lecceardone (S) 12-5 3/4; triple jump: Lecceardone (S) 27-11; high jump: Milks (S) 4-4; shot put: Rea (S) 31-2; discus: Rea (S) 93-4; pole vault: Lee (S) 7-0.
