HOUGHTON — Arlen Newark won the 600-meter run and was part of the winning 800-meter relay team to lead the Salamanca boys indoor track and field team in the Section 6 Inter-Divisional A-C meet Saturday at Houghton University.
It was the first meet for both the SHS boys and girls indoor track teams in a month, since Dec. 14.
“It felt good to hit the track and have an opportunity to race after several weeks without competition due to the holiday season,” SHS boys coach Michelle Hill said. “It was apparent that the Warriors were more than ready to step to the line and put their training to the test.”
Newark ran the 600 in a time of 1:27.75 and was also eighth in the 55 hurdles (:09.23). The boys’ 800-meter relay team of Jorden Ambuske, Jason McGraw, Arlen Newark and Archer Newark also took first with a 1:38.34.
“Although it wasn’t a season best time, the four-by-200 relay team had to maneuver around other teams for successful handoff exchanges and make the right decision when to pass opponents on the tight 200-meter track,” Hill said. “It is fun to watch these four young men take the track as they genuinely love to race. Their discipline in practicing their handoffs, their work in the weight room with Coach (Jared) Fish, and their discipline in other training sessions continues to pay off. We hope to peak during the championship part of our season.”
The SHS boys’ 3200 relay team was ninth (11:35.07).
Also in the 55 hurdles, Jackson Oram and Jordan Green both finished with personal bests, as did Dakota Colts and Jesse Hill, both in the 300.
In the distance events, Taylor Hayes (3,200), Payton Bigler (1,000) and Aiden George (1,600) all earned personal records, with the largest improvement from George, who cut 12 seconds off his previous best.
Salamanca will begin varsity select meet competition on Friday as it returns to Houghton College.
GIRLS INDOOR TRACK
Leading the Salamanca girls indoor track team on Saturday in Houghton, Isabella Milks earned a fourth-place finish in the high jump, clearing a 4-foot-8-inch bar for a new school record and automatically qualifying for the Section 6 championships.
Michaelynn Lecceradone had two top-seven finishes: sixth in the triple jump (30-11.25) and seventh in the 55 hurdles (:10.37), both for school records and earning automatic sectional qualification in the latter.
“Her power and determination propels her towards such success,” SHS coach Laurie Lafferty-John said of Lecceardone. “(Milks) has been more consistent as her confidence develops. This is just the beginning for her.”
Ryanna Brady took 12th overall in the 1,000 in a time of 3:31.33 and broke her own school record.
Other athletes earning personal bests for Salamanca included Sierra Haynoski (600, long jump), Sherry Chen (55, 300), Emily Benjamin (weighted throw), Shayanna Johnny-John (shot put, weighted throw), Summer Downey (300) and Rileigh Hutchison (300).
“We are so thrilled where our kids are at this point in the season,” Lafferty-John said. “All of them are hungry and realizing what they are capable of. So nice to see the way they train with such purpose and they do not shy away from hard work. It’s a great group of kids.”
