GRAHAMSVILLE, NY — For its panoramic splendor and athletic prowess, nothing compares to track and field, particularly at large meets like the Tri-Valley Invitational held at the Iatauro Sports Complex on April 21. Featuring 27 schools including Section 1 powerhouses Bronxville and Arlington, as well as many Section 9 schools of all sizes, the meet afforded local runners, jumpers and throwers a chance to test their mettle against some of the region’s elites.

In track, Division I schools have 600 students or more in grades 9-11, while Division II contenders have under 600. Monticello is the only D-1 school in the county. The Montie boys finished fourth in the meet, while the girls finished sixth. Tri-Valley’s boys and girls captured first place among the Division II contenders that numbered 15 schools. Mareena DiMilia and Dominque Darby were chosen as the meet’s Outstanding Field Athletes, along with O’Neill’ John Carpenter. DiMilia was tops in the shot put (34-7) and the javelin (103-1) and second in the long jump (15-6 ½). She ran a leg in the winning 300 shuttle hurdles (51-3). Darby won the hammer throw (127-4) and the discus (105-5) and was third in the shot put (32-4). Tri-Valley’s girls landed an impressive 27 scoring finishes, garnering spots in the top six of many events. Eldred’s girls took third place while the boys finished 11th. Eldred’s Hunter Proscia took first in the 2000 steeplechase (6:32.1). The meet, which historically has been beset by some hellacious weather, was blessed with balmy temperatures and no downpours.

Here are some of the top performances from Sullivan County athletes beginning with the boys: Sullivan West was sixth in 300 shuttle hurdles (53.6); Mitch Paciga was second in the freshman/sophomore (F/S) high jump (5-6) and F/S pole vault (9-0). Eldred finished fifth in F/S 400 relay (59.7). Liberty’s Peter Koval was fifth in javelin (136-7); Vinny Webbe was fifth in pole vault (11-0). Monticello was second in 400 relay (44.7); Lah Juan Drayton was fifth in F/S long jump (17-4 ¼); Terry Duncan was second in F/S 400 (53.5); Trevon Rainey was second in F/S shot put (37-7); Tino Taylor was second in 400 (51.5); Garrett LaPolt was first in shot put (50-2) and fifth in discus (119-10); and Talon Watson was third in triple jump (39-10 ¼). Tri-Valley finished second in F/S 400 relay (52.8) and fifth in F/S 1600 relay (4:00.3); Justin Weintraub was sixth in sophomore 800 (2:08) and fifth in F/S 1600 (4:52); Brendan Tierney was fifth in the hammer throw (118-5) and third in the discus (113-4); Jimmy Bernstein was fifth in the 800 (2:01.7); Omar Lopez was second in the 2000 steeplechase (6:32.3); Josh Winter was third in the javelin (138-9); Andrew Malone was fifth in the 400 intermediate hurdles (60-0); Aidan Woolsey was fourth in the F/S high jump (5-8) and third in the F/S pole vault (9-6); Gavin DuBois was fifth in the high jump (5-8); Eugene Morton took sixth in the pole vault (10-6). Sullivan West’s girls finished sixth in the 400 relay (55.6). Kristina Sumfleth was fifth in the high jump (4-6) and fourth in the 400 intermediate hurdles (71.5); Hannah Feinman was sixth in the long jump (14-5); Amanda Rosenberger was sixth in the 200 (28.2); Rachel Deppa was third in the non-scoring 1500 meter racewalk (7:54.2). Eldred finished sixth in the 300 shuttle hurdle relay (56.2) and third in the 400 relay (54.6); Christine Donnelly was an impressive fourth in the 800 (2:24.3); Equasia Edwards took third in the high jump (4-6); Erika Bowring was first in the long jump (15-10) and first in the triple jump (32-10¼); Melissa McGonagle, Lauren Frey and Savana Finck tied for third in the F/S pole vault (6-0). Liberty was third in the 300 shuttle hurdle relay (54.1) and second in the 400 relay (53.7); Amanda Bertholf was third in the 400 (67.6) and third in the pole vault (8-6). Rebeccah Harman was second in the 400 intermediate hurdles (69.2) and fourth in the triple jump (31.8). Livingston Manor’s Katherine Ellis was fourth in the F/S shot put (27-4); Ami Calo was fifth in the triple jump (31-6 ½). Monticello was sixth in the 3200 relay (10:55.5); Camryn Johnson was third in the 3000 (10:52.8) and third in the 1500 (5:16); Sydney Johnson was fifth in the 3000 (11:17.1); Tania Walker was second in the 400 (65.0). Tri-Valley was fourth in the 3200 relay (10:51.1), first in the 300 shuttle hurdle relay (51.3) and sixth in the F/S 400 relay (61.8); Autumn Bender was fifth in the freshman 800 (2:31.4) and fifth in the 2000 steeplechase (7:58.3); Brooke Gillette was sixth in the sophomore 800 (2:38); Colleen Jones was third in the F/S shot put (28-0) and fifth in the hammer throw (73-0); Claire Tierney was fifth in the F/S shot put (27-0); Katlynn Greffrath was first in the F/S high jump (5-1); first in the F/S long jump (14-99 ½); and fifth in the 400 intermediate hurdles (72.3); Sarah Schneyer was fourth in the hammer throw (80-9); Sarah Coney was sixth in the hammer throw (64-7) and third in the discus (93-3); Heidi Furman was third in the hammer throw (119-8), second in the javelin (88-5), sixth in the discus (88-6) and third in the shot put (29-10); Vicky Tingley was sixth in the pole vault (6-4).

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