ATHENS' ELLIS CAPS STRONG SENIOR SEASON AT PIAA TRACK & FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS

ATHENS' ELLIS CAPS STRONG SENIOR SEASON AT PIAA TRACK & FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS

May 28, 2021 Tim Birney

SHIPPENSBURG — Athens’ Asher Ellis capped a stellar senior season throwing in two events here Friday in the PIAA Class AA Track & Field Championships at Seth Grove Stadium on the campus of Shippensburg University.

“(Asher) threw well today,” said Athens coach Scott Riley. “For it being his first time there, it’s a different environment.

“Not having invites this season really put a lot of kids at a disadvantage,” noted Riley.

“He had a great season that really had a huge impact for the team and he should be proud of all that he accomplished,” he added.

Ellis was well off his season-best throws in the javelin and discus on Friday.

The javelin competition took center stage in the morning. The event was broken into three flights, and Ellis, who was the seventh seed, had to wait until the third heat.

He finished 16th with a throw of 155-feet, 9-inches, well off his season-best of 174-feet, 8-inches last weekend at the District 4 Championships.

Bedford senior Elija Cook won PIAA gold in the javelin with an effort of 192-feet, 5-inches.

The javelin competition went long, so meet organizers pushed the discus competition along at a brisk pace.

Seeded 16th, Ellis finished 15th with a toss of 138-feet, 2-inches —  more than 11 feet off his seed distance of 149-feet, 10-inches.

Only three of the 25 throwers in the discus beat their seed distance, and many were more than 12 feet short. The tops seeds both were both 30 feet under their season-best throws and finished 17th and 19th, respectively.

Wyomissing senior Rob Williams won PIAA gold in the discus with a mark of 169-feet, 7-inches — topping his seed by more than 10 feet.

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ATHENS' ELLIS PUNCHES TICKET TO STATES IN SECOND EVENT, NARROWLY MISSES THIRD

ATHENS' ELLIS PUNCHES TICKET TO STATES IN SECOND EVENT, NARROWLY MISSES THIRD

May 22, 2021 Tim Birney

WILLIAMSPORT — Athens senior Asher Ellis will be a busy young man Friday at the PIAA Track & Field Championships.

Ellis, who won district gold in the javelin Thursday night, added a second gold medal Saturday in the discus, and nearly qualified for States in a third throwing event before settling for a bronze medal at the District 4, Class AA Track & Field Championships.

On Thursday, Ellis struggled in the preliminaries of the javelin, and narrowly advanced to the finals, where he popped out a big throw to win gold.

On Saturday, Ellis’ best discus throw in the preliminaries was 114-feet, which put him in the ninth and final qualifying spot.

On his first throw in the finals, Ellis unleashed a throw of 149-feet, 10-inches, which ended up besting runner-up Cole Goodwin of Milton (139-feet, 11-inches) by nearly 10 feet.

“The nerves were kicking in. It’s tough with all these talented throwers — anybody could have won,” said Ellis.

“It started out the same as the javelin, I was struggling, then it clicked.

“I got settled in after the first three throws,” added Ellis. “I knew I had it in me, I just had to do it.”

Ellis said the wind was also a factor.

“(The) wind was tough,” he said. “If you didn’t have a perfect release, the wind would catch it, and flip it right back. You had to be mindful of that.”

In between the preliminaries and the finals, each competitor received one practice throw. Ellis’ practice throw may have been his best of the day.

“That throw gave me a little boost of confidence, and let me settle in,” he said. “Then, I let if fly.”

Sayre senior Zach Belles finished eighth in the discus at 117-feet, and Athens senior Lucas Aquilio was 22nd at 84-feet, 7-inches. Athens senior Ian Wright no-distanced.

Later in the afternoon, Ellis and Central Columbia Garrett Carter tied for second in the shot put with throws of 46-feet, 11-inches. Carter claimed the silver by virtue of having a better second-best throw of 45-feet, 6 3/4-inches, compared to Ellis mark of 42-feet.

“I did what I could do,” said Ellis. “It’s been a long day … not to make excuses, but I just didn’t perform as well as I could have. And, that’s all right.”

Ellis will now prepare to compete in the javelin and discus in the PIAA Championships.

“As much as I wanted to win all three, what you want doesn’t always happen.

“I did what I could,” said Ellis. “It will definitely allow me to focus more on the javelin and the discus.

“I’m proud of myself, and I’m good with my performance,” added Ellis.

Belles finished 12th at 40-feet, 3 1/2-inches, and Wright was 23rd at 37-feet, 1/2-inch.

The Wildcats finished fifth in the highly-bunched team standings. Tightly-bunched aside from Southern Columbia that is.

The Tigers ran away with the team title with 113.5 points, while Mount Carmel was second with 55 points, Milton was third with 49.5 points, Loyalsock was fourth with 48 points, and Athens and South Williamsport were tied with 46 points. Sayre was 22nd in the 25-team field with 4 points.

“Asher (Ellis) led the way today and Thursday with some big points in the throwing events, but we added points along the way in the relays, and some of the other events,” said Athens coach Scott Riley.

“When you have one team that runs away with it, it kind of lets the rest of us battle it out for what’s left.

“The kids were PRing left and right,” noted Riley. “It’s been tough with the heat, but they adapting the best they can, and do pretty well.

“It’s been an incredibly coachable group across the board, and a very exciting team,” added Riley. “It’s been fun to watch them grow throughout the season.”

Junior Kyle Anthony, who won a fourth-place medal Thursday, won three more Saturday.

Anthony finished fourth in the 1,600-meter run in 4:36.93, while Dahl was ninth in 4:52.25, and junior Matt Gorsline was 11th in 4:53.84.

Anthony finished seventh in the 800-meter run in a time of 2:06.07, while junior Justin Lynch was ninth in 2:06.31

Anthony teamed with junior Ryan Thompson, Lynch, and freshman Ryan Lasusa to finish seventh in the 1,600-meter relay in a time of 3:41.91. Sayre’s foursome of seniors Bobby Benjamin and Tavone McClenny, sophomore Mason Hughey and junior Riley Parrish finished 11th in 3:46.41.

Dahl finished sixth in the 3,200-meter run in a time of 10:21.62, and Gorsline was seventh in 10:24.02

The Athens foursome of senior Joe Toscano, junior Levi Kuhns, Thompson, and sophomore Jaden Wright finished eighth in the 400-meter relay in a time of 46.92 seconds.

Lasusa finished ninth in the 400-meter hurdles in 53.1 seconds, and Sayre senior Tavone McClenny was 16th in 54.84 seconds.

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ELLIS WINS GOLD, HEADED TO STATES; THOMPSON EARNS TWO MEDALS

ELLIS WINS GOLD, HEADED TO STATES; THOMPSON EARNS TWO MEDALS

May 20, 2021 Tim Birney

WILLIAMSPORT — Athens senior Asher Ellis topped his seed by more than 8 1/2-feet to win gold in the javelin here Friday evening at the District 4, Class AA Track & Field Championships, and punch his ticket to States next week at Shippensburg University.

Entering the meet with a season-best throw of 166-feet, 1-inch, Ellis was seeded second behind Montoursville senior Gavin Livermore, who was the top seed at 169-feet, 10-inches.

Ellis launched a throw of 174-feet, 8-inches, besting Livermore, who was second at 173-feet, 9-inches.

The Wildcat 3,200-meter relay team also reached the podium.

Juniors Kyle Anthony, Matt Gorsline, and Justin Lynch, and senior Connor Dahl teamed to finish fourth in a time of 8:32.7.
 
Athens is currently second in the team standings with 15 points. Southern Columbia leads the field with 20 points, while Montoursville is third with 13 points, and Wyalusing and Hughesville are tied for fourth with 10.

Athens junior Levi Kuhns finished seventh in his 100-meter hurdles heat in a time of 18.27 seconds.

CLASS AAA GIRLS
The Lady Wildcats reached the podium in two events in the Class AAA Championships, with freshman Mya Thompson earning a pair of medals in the process.

Sophomore Emma Bronson, senior Emma Roe, Thompson, and junior Hannah Walker placed fifth in the 3,200-meter relay in a time of 10:37.82.

Thompson also medalled in the triple jump, finishing sixth with an effort of 31-feet, 6-inches.

Senior Leah Liechty finished eighth in the high jump at 4-feet, 5-inches, while freshman Emily Henderson was sixth in her heat, and 10th overall, in the 100-meter hurdles in a time of 18.75 seconds.

Freshman Emma Pernaselli was 12th in the shot put with a heave of 26-feet, 5-inches.

Saturday’s action begins at 9 a.m.

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ELLIS SWEEPS THROWING EVENTS AT NTL COACHES' INVITE

ELLIS SWEEPS THROWING EVENTS AT NTL COACHES' INVITE

May 14, 2021 Chris Manning

ATHENS — Coming into the NTL Coaches’ Invitational, Athens senior Asher Ellis had one goal — sweep the throwing events. He was the top seed for all three, and only had one loss during the season.

“My goal was to win every event this year,” explained Ellis. “And I almost got it, I lost at Troy — one event.”

On Friday, though, there would be no second place for him, as he won the shot put (46-feet, 5 3/4-inches), discus (141-feet, 10-inches), and javelin (166-feet, 1-inch) — all by comfortable margins.

“It was good,” said Ellis. “The last home meet… I had to put everything out there. I’m going to miss it.”

He accounted for half of Athens’ wins on Friday, with the only other individual champion being freshman Ryan Lasusa (53.57) in the 400.

The Wildcat 4x400 relay of junior Kyle Anthony, Lasusa, junior Justin Lynch, and junior Ryan Thompson won in 3:40.37, while the 4x800 relay of Anthony, senior Connor Dahl, junior Matt Gorsline, and Lynch won in 8:46.25.

In the 200, senior Joey Toscano (24.87) was fourth, and Lasusa (25.41) came in eighth. Thompson (55.57) was seventh in the 400.

Three different Wildcats medaled in the 800 with Anthony (2:05.87) third, Lynch (2:09.64) fifth, and sophomore Ethan Denlinger (2:18.16) eighth.

Dahl (4:48.47) was fourth in the 1600, and junior Sander Bertsch (5:15.46) came in sixth.

Gorsline (10:47.74) was second in the 3200, with Dahl (11:10.96) fifth, and Izaac Hobday (12:08.12) sixth.

Levi Kuhns (17.88) was second in the 110 hurdles.

The Athens 4x100 relay of Kuhns, Thompson, Toscano, and sophomore Jaden Wright was fourth in 47.72.

Senior Ian Wright (42-feet, 3 1/2-inches) was fourth in the shot put, and also took third in the discus in 121-feet, 1-inch. Lucas Aquilio (106-feet, 9-inches) was eighth in the discus.

Asher will now get ready for the District IV Championships, where he will likely be either the top seed, or in the top three, for all his events.

“I’m going to go for all three,” he said. “It’s all technique. I just have to hit my steps, everything has got to be smooth.”

The District IV Championships are Thursday and Saturday at Williamsport High School.

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UNBEATEN ATHENS CLINCHES REGULAR-SEASON TITLE WITH WIN OVER WILLIAMSON

UNBEATEN ATHENS CLINCHES REGULAR-SEASON TITLE WITH WIN OVER WILLIAMSON

May 11, 2021 Tim Birney

ATHENS — Senior Asher Ellis, junior Kyle Anthony, and sophomore Jaden Wright were triple-winners to lead Athens to a regular-season championship-clinching, 80-69, win over Williamson in NTL boys track & field action at Alumni Stadium.

Junior Justin Lynch and freshman Ryan LaSusa were double-winners for the Wildcats, who finish the season at 9-0. Williamson falls to 8-1.

Ellis led a sweep in the shot put with a heave of 45-feet, 1/4-inch, while senior Ian Wright was second at 38-feet, 11 3/4-inches, and senior Lucas Aquilio was third at 35-feet, 11 1/2-inches.

Ellis led a sweep in the discus with a toss of 125 feet, 7-inches, while Aquilio was second at 115-feet, 1-inch, and Ian Wright was third at 106-feet, 6-inches.

Ellis won the javelin with a throw of 149-feet, 1-inch, and senior Zach Stafursky was second at 122-feet, 7-inches.

Jaden Wright won the 100-meter dash in 12.14 seconds. Wright also won the 200-meter dash in 24.33 seconds, and senior Joe Toscano was third in 25.19 seconds.

Wright teamed with junior Levi Kuhn, Toscano, and junior Ryan Thompson to win the 400-meter relay in a time of 47.59 seconds.

Anthony teamed with Justin Lynch, junior Matt Gorsline, and senior Connor Dahl to win the 3,200-meter relay in a time of 10:26.0.

Lynch, Thompson, Anthony, and LaSusa teamed to win the 1,600-meter relay in a tie of 3:43.67.

Anthony won the 800-meter run in a time of 2:06.86, and Lynch was third in 2:12.44.

LaSusa won the 400-meter dash in a time of 55.25 seconds, and Anthony was third in 55.69 seconds.

Kuhns finished second in the 110-meter hurdles in 19.29 seconds.

Gorsline finished second in the 3,200-meter run in a time of 10:36.31, and Dahl was third in 10:59.79.

Sophomore Ethan Denlinger finished second in the high jump at 5-feet. He also finished second in the pole vault at 8-feet, 6-inches.

Dahl finished third in the 1,600-meter run in a time of 4:50.15.

Connor Brown finished third in the long jump with a leap of 17-feet, 1/2-inch. He also finished third in the triple jump at 34-feet, 6-inches.

Athens hosts the NTL Championships Friday at 1:30 p.m.

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ADY WILDCATS WIN FINAL RELAY TO EDGE TROY, 76-74; UNBEATEN BOYS WIN BIG

ADY WILDCATS WIN FINAL RELAY TO EDGE TROY, 76-74; UNBEATEN BOYS WIN BIG

May 7, 2021 Tim Birney

TROY — The Lady Wildcats won the meet-closing 400-meter relay to pull out a 76-74 win over Troy, while the unbeaten Athens boys cruised to a 107-42 victory here on a rainy Friday afternoon of NTL track & field action.

GIRLS
Athens 76, Troy 74

Senior Emma Roe, sophomore Emma Bronson, and freshman Mya Thompson were triple-winners to lead the Lady Wildcats, now 7-0-1, to the narrow win over the Lady Trojans (6-2).

Roe, who ran the anchor, and Thompson, who ran the opening leg, teamed with senior Leah Liechty, and junior Hannah Walker to win the 4-x-4 in a time of 4:31.6.

Roe won the 200-meter dash in a time of 27.86 seconds, and Walker was third in 28.84 seconds. Roe also won the 400-meter dash in 1:05.47, and Thompson was second in 1:06.44.

Roe finished second in the 100-meter dash in 13.63 seconds, and Walker was third at 13.81 seconds

Athens held an 18-9 points advantage in the sprints.

Bronson was a big contributor in the win with a sweep of the distances races.

Bronson won the 1,600-meter run in a time of 5:58.5, and won the 3,200-meter run in 13:05.02. She also won the 800-meter run in 2:38.52.

Thompson won the long jump with a leap of 15-feet, 9-inches. She also won the triple jump with an effort of 31-feet, 9 1/4-inches, and Bronson was second at 29-feet, 1-inch.

Walker won the 300-meter hurdles in a time of 53.58 seconds.

Freshman Emma Pernaselli won the discus with a toss of 83-feet, 11-inches, and sophomore Meltem VanHelden was third at 63-feet, 1-inch.

Pernaselli also won the javelin with a throw of 70-feet, 4-inches. She was third in the shot put with a heave of 25-feet, 2-inches.

Freshman Emily Henderson was second in the 100-meter hurdles in a time of 19.09 seconds

Liechty was second in the high jump at 4-feet, 6-inches, and sophomore Shelby Morris was third at 3-feet, 6-inches.

Junior Emily King finished third in the pole vault at 5-feet, 6-inches

BOYS
Athens 107, Troy 42

The Wildcats won 14 of 18 events, including seven sweeps, to post a convincing 107-42 win over the Trojans.

Junior Kyle Anthony was a triple-winner, and seven of his teammates — senior Asher Ellis, juniors Levi Kuhns, Justin Lynch, Matt Gorsline, and Ryan Thompson, sophomore Jaden Wright, and freshman Ryan LaSusa, were double-winners for Athens, which is now 8-0.

Anthony led a sweep in the 800-meter run in a time of 2:10.46, while jLynch was second in 2:19.59, and sophomore Ethan Denlinger was third in 2:20.22.

Anthony teamed with Lynch, junior Matt Gorsline and senior Connor Dahl to win the 3,200-meter relay in a time of 9:27.0.

Anthony and Lynch teamed with junior Ryan Thompson, and LaSusa teamed to win the 1,600-meter relay in a time of 3:44.9.

Gorsline led a sweep in the 3,200-meter run in a time of 10:42.0, while Dahl was second in 10:46.0, and junior Izaak Hobday was third at 12:16.0.

Levi Kuhns won the 110-meter hurdles in 19.69 seconds, and senior Carter Jones was third in 20.45 seconds. Kuhns finished second in the 300-meter hurdles in a time of 48.44 seconds.

Kuhns teamed with senior Joe Toscano, junior Ryan Thompson, and sophomore Jaden Wright to win the 400-meter relay in a time of 47.56 seconds.

Jaden Wright led a sweep in the 200-meter dash, clocking in at 25.16 seconds, while freshman Ryan LaSusa was second in 25.33 seconds, and Toscano was third at 25.92 seconds. Wright was second in the 100-meter dash in 12.11 seconds.

LaSusa led a sweep in the 400-meter dash in 55.62 seconds, while Lynch was second in 59.65 seconds, and freshman Korey Miller was third in 1:01.17.

Ellis led a sweep in the shot put with a heave of 47-feet, 4-inches, while senior Ian Wright was second at 36-feet, 3 1/2-inches, and senior Lucas Aquilio was third at 33-feet, 6-inches.

Ellis also led a sweep in the javelin with a throw of 125-feet, 6-inches, while senior Ben Pernaselli was second at 94-feet, 2-inches, and Ian Wright was third at 90-feet, 9-inches.

Ian Wright won the discus with a toss of 107-feet, 3-inches, and Aquilio was second at 102-feet, 4-inches.

Hobday won the 1,600-meter run in a time of 6:30.27, with Gorsline second in 6:30.52, and junior Sander Bertsch third in 6:30.57.

Denlinger won the high jump at 5-feet. He was second in the pole vault at 8-feet, 6-inches.

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WRIGHT, ROE LEAD ATHENS BOYS, GIRLS TO LOPSIDES WINS OVER NP-M

WRIGHT, ROE LEAD ATHENS BOYS, GIRLS TO LOPSIDES WINS OVER NP-M

May 4, 2021 Tim Birney

ATHENS — Sophomore Jaden Wright and senior Emma Roe each won four events to lead the unbeaten Athens boys and girls, respectively, to lopsided wins over North Penn-Mansfield in NTL track & field action here Tuesday afternoon at Alumni Stadium.

The boys, now 7-0, registered a 112-33 win, while the Lady Wildcats won 108-39.

BOYS
Athens 112, North Penn-Mansfield 33

Wright was joined in the winner’s circle by senior Asher Ellis and junior Levi Kuhns, who were triple-winners, and junior Kyle Anthony, sophomore Ethan Denlinger, and freshman Ryan Lasusa, who were double-winners.

Wright led a sweep in the 100-meter dash in 11.56 seconds, with senior John Ayers second at 11.78 seconds, and senior Joe Toscano third at 11.87 seconds.

Wright also won the 200-meter dash in 24.37 seconds, and Toscano was second in 25.19 seconds.

Wright won the long jump with a leap of 18-feet, 4 1/2-inches, and Kuhns was third at 16-feet, 11-inches.

Wright, Kuhns, Toscano, and junior Ryan Thompson teamed to win the 400-meter relay in a time of 47.57 seconds.

Kuhns won the 110-meter hurdles in 18.43 seconds, and senior Carter Jones was second in 20.06 seconds.

Kuhns led a sweep in the 300-meter hurdles in a time of 48.62 seconds, with junior Brendan Jones second in 52.78 seconds, and Carter Jones third in 54.66 seconds.

Ellis won the discus with a toss of 142-feet, 8-inches, and senior Ian Wright was second at 114-feet, 10-inches. Ellis also won the javelin with a throw of 151-feet, 5-inches.

Ellis led a sweep in the shot put with a heave of 45-feet, 6 1/2-inches, while Wright was second at 37-feet, 9-inches, and senior Lucas Aquilio was third at 36-feet, 8 1/4-inches.

Lasusa led a sweep in the 400-meter dash in 54.19 seconds, while junior Justin Lynch was second in 57.54 seconds, and Ayers was third in 58.34 seconds.

Lasusa teamed with Lynch, Ayers, and Anthony to win the 1,600-meter relay in a time of 3:49.58.

Anthony led a sweep in the 800-meter run in 2:10.16, while Justin Lynch was second in 2:23.83, and sophomore Nate Prickitt was third in 2:29.25.

Denlinger won the pole vault, clearing the bar at 7-feet. He was second in the high jump at 5-feet.

Brendan Jones, Prickitt, junior Sander Bertsch, and Denlinger teamed to win the 3,200-meter relay in a time of 11:02.1.

Anthony was second in the 1,600-meter run in 4:48.89, and senior Connor Dahl was third in 5:04.55.

Junior Matt Gorsline was second in the 3,200-meter run in a time of 10:40.86, and Dahl was third in 11:06.07.

Brendan Jones was third in the triple jump at 32-feet, 8 1/2-inches.

GIRLS
Athens 108, North Penn-Mansfield 39

Roe was joined as a multiple-winner by senior Leah Liechty, sophomore Emma Bronson, and freshmen Emily Henderson and Mya Thomson, who were triple-winners, and junior Hannah Walker, who was a double-winner.

The Lady Wildcats won 16 of 18 events to improve to 6-0-1 on the season.
 
Roe won the 100-meter dash in 13.11 seconds, edging Walker, who was second in 13.12 seconds.

Roe led a sweep in the 200-meter dash in 28.32 seconds, while Walker was second in 28.77 seconds, and sophomore Cassy Friend was third in 28.96 seconds.

Roe also won the 400-meter dash in 1:07.31, and Thompson was second in 1:07.93

Bronson won the 1,600-meter run in a time  of 5:58.98. She also won the 3,200-meter run in 13:21.81.

Bronson won the 800-meter run in a time of 2:40.6.

Henderson won the 100-meter hurdles in a time of 18.3 seconds, and sophomore Shelby Morris was third in 21.64 seconds.

Walker won the 300-meter hurdles in a time of 51.34 seconds, and Henderson was second in 1:09.47

Henderson and Walker teamed with Thompson and Friend to win the 400-meter relay in a time of 55.62 seconds.

Henderson and Roe teamed with freshman Abbie Panek and Liechty to win the 1,600-meter relay in a time of 4:53.71.

Liechty won the high jump, clearing the bar at 4-feet, 6-inches, and Morris was third at 3-feet, 10-inches.

Liechty and junior Emily King led a sweep in the pole vault, tying for first at 5-feet, 6-inches. Morris was third at 5-feet.

Thompson led a sweep in the long jump with a leap of 15-feet, 4-inches, while Friend was second at 14-feet, 3/4-inches, and Panek was third at 13-feet, 3 3/4-inches.

Thompson won the triple jump with a hop, skip, and jump of 31-feet, 7-inches.

Emma Pernaselli won the discus with a toss of 77-feet, 10-inches, and sophomore Meltem VanHelden was third. She also won the shot put with a heave of 28-feet, 11 1/4-inches.

Pernaselli was second in the javelin with a throw of 76-feet, 6-inches, and Rachel Jelliff was third at 55-feet, 10-inches.

Athens returns to action Friday at Troy.

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ANTHONY, ELLIS LEAD UNBEATEN WILDCATS TO WIN OVER WELLSBORO

ANTHONY, ELLIS LEAD UNBEATEN WILDCATS TO WIN OVER WELLSBORO

April 27, 2021 Tim Birney

ATHENS — Kyle Anthony won four events, and Asher Ellis swept the throwing events to lead Athens to a 99-51 win over Wellsboro here Tuesday afternoon in NTL boys track & field action at Alumni Stadium.

The Wildcats improve to 6-0 with the win, while Wellsboro falls to 4-2.

Anthony led a sweep in the 1,600-meter run in a time of 4:57.21, while Connor Dahl was second in 5:03.01, and Matt Gorsline was third in 5:05.15.

Anthony also led a sweep in the 800-meter run in a time of 2:32.65, with Sander Bertsch second in 2:33.52, and Justin Lynch third in 2:37.3.

Anthony, Lynch, Gorsline, and Dahl teamed to win the 3,200-meter relay in a time of 8:49.13

Anthony and Lynch teamed with John Ayres, and Ryan LaSusa to win the 1,600-meter relay in a time of 3:49.44.

Ellis led a sweep in the discus with a toss of 136-feet, 1-inches, while Lucas Aquilio in second at 98-feet, 8-inches, and Ben Pernaselli was third at 96-feet, 9-inches. Ellis also won the shot put with a heave of 44-feet, 4 1/4-inches.

Ellis won the javelin with a throw of 149-feet, 8-inches, and Zach Stafursky was third at 113-feet, 4-inches.

Gorsline led a sweep in the 3,200-meter run in a time of 11:15.27, with Dahl second in 11:28.65, and Izaak Hobday third in 13:00.84.

LaSusa led a sweep in the 400-meter dash in a time of 54.19, while Ayres was second in 58.58 seconds, and Lynch was third in 59.67 seconds.

Brendan Jones led a sweep in the triple jump with a hop, skip, and jump of 34-feet, 2 1/2-inches, while Connor Brown was second at 33-feet, 2 3/4-inches, and Carter Jones was third at 32-feet, 7-inches.

Jaden Wright recorded three of the Wildcats’ six second-place finishes.

Wright finished second in the 100-meter dash in 11.75 seconds, and LaSusa was third in 11.79 seconds. Wright also finished second in the 200-meter dash in 24.69 seconds, and LaSusa was third in 24.89 seconds.

Wright finished second in the long jump with a leap of 16-feet, 8 1/4-inches, and Joe Toscano was third at 15-feet, 10 1/2-inches.

Levi Kuhns finished second in the 110-meter hurdles, and Carter Jones was third in 20.31 seconds. Kuhns was second in the 300-meter hurdles in 47.66 seconds, and Carter Jones was third in 53.66 seconds.

Ethan Denlinger was second in the high jump with a leap of 5-feet. He was third in the pole vault at 7-feet.

Athens returns to action next Tuesday when it hosts North Penn-Mansfield.

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ELLIS PACES ATHENS TO FIFTH STRAIGHT WIN TO OPEN SEASON

ELLIS PACES ATHENS TO FIFTH STRAIGHT WIN TO OPEN SEASON

April 23, 2021 Tim Birney

ATHENS — Senior Asher Ellis won three events to help Athens to its fifth straight win to open the season — an 85-64 win over Wyalusing — here Friday afternoon in NTL Track & Field action at Alumni Stadium.

Ellis led a sweep in the discus with a toss of 140-feet, 7-inches, while senior Lucas Aquilio was second at 105-feet, 8-inches, and senior Zach Stafursky was third at 105-feet, 1-inch.

Ellis won the javelin with a throw of 151-feet, 7-inches, and senior Ian Wright was third at 116-feet, 11-inches. Ellis also won the shot put with a heave of 45-feet, 3 1/4-inches, and Wright was third at 38-feet, 1/2-inch.

Sophomore Jaden Wright won the 200-meter dash in a time of 24.7 seconds, and freshman Ryan Lasusa was second in 25.28 seconds. Wright finished second in the 100-meter dash in 12.28 seconds, and Lasusa was third at 12.59 seconds

Lasusa led a sweep in the 400-meter dash, clocking in at 55.55 seconds, while Kyle Anthony was second at 56.53 seconds, and Justin Lynch was third at 57.42 seconds.

Gorsline led a sweep in the 3,200-meter run in a time of 11:00.21, while sophomore Izaak Hobday was second in 12:20.92, and Dahl was third in 14:31.31.

Lynch, Dahl, Anthony, and Lasusa teamed to win the 1,600-meter relay in a time of 3:48.59.

Lynch teamed Sander Bertsch, Ethan Denlinger, and Dahl to win the 3,200-meter relay in a time of 9:42.56.

Junior Levi Kuhns won the pole vault at 7-feet, 6-inches, and sophomore Ethan Denlinger was second at 7-feet. Kuhns was second in the 300-meter hurdles in 49.08 seconds.

Anthony finished second in the 800-meter run in a time of 2:09.58, and Lynch was third in 2:20.76.

Dahl finished second in the 1,600-meter run in a time of 4:53.73, and Gorsline was third in 5:02.49.

Brendan Jones was second in the long jump with a leap of 16-feet, 10 1/2-inches. He was third in the triple jump at 34-feet, 7 1/2-inches.

Carter Jones was third in the 110-meter hurdles in a time of 20.86 seconds.

Athens hosts Wellsboro Tuesday.

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ATHENS GIRLS, BOYS POST LOPSIDED WINS OVER CANTON, NEB

ATHENS GIRLS, BOYS POST LOPSIDED WINS OVER CANTON, NEB

April 20, 2021 Tim Birney

ATHENS — The Athens girls and boys both posted dominant wins over Canton and Northeast Bradford here Tuesday afternoon in NTL track & field action at Alumni Stadium.

Senior Emma Roe, junior Hannah Walker, and freshman Mya Thompson were quad-winners, and sophomore Emma Bronson and freshman Emily Henderson were triple-winners to lead the Lady Wildcats to a 114-20 win over NEB, and a 110-32 win over Canton.

Senior Asher Ellis and junior Justin Lynch were triple-winners to lead a balanced boys team to a 97-44 win over Canton, and a 107-24 win over NEB.

GIRLS
Athens 110, Canton 32
Athens 114, NEB 20

The Lady Wildcats won 15 of 18 events to post a pair of big wins.

Roe and Walker tied for first in the 100-meter dash in a time of 13.9 seconds.

Roe won the 200-meter dash in a time of 28.91 seconds, and freshman Cassy Friend was third in 31.14 seconds. She also won the 400-meter dash in 1:05.15.

Walker won the 300-meter hurdles in 50.88 seconds, and freshman Emily Henderson was second in 1:01.79.

Roe and Walker teamed with Thompson and Henderson to win the 1,600-meter relay in a time of 4:41.35.

Walker and Thompson teamed with Henderson and Friend to win the 400-meter relay in a time of 56.34 seconds.

Thompson won the long jump with a leap of 15-feet, 4 1/3-inches, and Friend was second at 12-feet, 8 1/2-inches.

Thompson led a sweep in the triple jump with a hop, skip, and jump of 30-feet, 6-inches, while Bronson was second at 28-feet, 11-inches, and Friend was third at 27-feet, 5-inches.

Henderson won the 100-meter hurdles in a time of 21.11 seconds, and sophomore Shelby Morris was second in 22.86 seconds.

Bronson won the 800-meter run in a time of 2:35.62. She also won the 1,600-meter run in a time of 5:43.07.

Bronson won the 3,200-meter run in a time of 13:51.37, and freshman Cailyn Conklin was second in 16:37.02.

Junior Emily King won the pole vault at 5-feet, 6-inches, and Morris was second at 5-feet.

Morris won the high jump at 3-feet, 6-inches.

Freshman Emma Pernaselli won the javelin with a throw of 84-feet, 9-inches

Junior Olivia Bartlow finished second in the discus with a throw of 84-feet, 10-inches, and Pernaselli was third at 79-feet, 10-inches.  Bartlow was third in the shot put with a heave of 25-feet, 2-inches.

BOYS
Athens 97, Canton 44
Athens 107, NEB 24

Athens had eight different athletes win individual events in lopsided wins over Canton and NEB.

Ellis won the discus with a toss of 139-feet, 7-inches, and the javelin with a throw of 150-feet, 2 1/2-inches. He also won the shot put with a heave of 44-feet, 4-inches.

Junior Justin Lynch won the 800-meter run in a time of 2:15.33, and sophomore Ethan Denlinger was third in 2:27.29.

Lynch teamed with senior Connor Dahl, junior Kyle Anthony, and freshman Ryan Lasusa to win the 1,600-meter relay in a time of 3:51.88.

Lynch teamed with sophomore Ethan Denlinger, junior Sander Bertsch, and sophomore Nate Prickitt to win the 3,200-meter relay in a time of 9:52.82.

Dahl led a sweep in the 1,600-meter run in a time of 4:56.31, while junior Matt Gorsline was second in 4:59.37, and Bertsch was third in 5:34.41.

Gorsline led a sweep in the 3,200-meter run in a time of 11:17.6, while Dahl was second in 11:37.55, and Anthony was third in 12:03.35.

Jaden Wright won the 100-meter dash in 12.51 seconds, and Daniel Horton was second in 12.73 seconds.

Senior Joe Toscano led a sweep in the 200-meter dash in a time of 26.02 seconds, while senior John Ayres was second in 26.31, and Horton was third at 26.37 seconds

Junior Levi Kuhns led a sweep in the 300-meter hurdles, clocking in with a time of 51.87 seconds, while junior Brendan Jones was second in 51.89 seconds, and junior Ryan Thompson was third in 54.09 seconds.

Lasusa won the 400-meter dash in 55.84 seconds, and Kyle Anthony was third in 56.2 seconds.

Senior Carter Jones was second in the 110-meter hurdles in a time of 20.87 seconds, and Brendan Jones was third in 21.99 seconds.

Junior Connor Brown finished second in the long jump with a leap of 16-feet, 9 1/2-inches, and Toscano was third at 16-feet, 3-inches.

Brendan Jones finished third in the triple jump with an effort of 33-feet, 2-inches.

Athens returns to action Friday when it hosts Wyalusing.

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ATHENS TOPS TOWANDA, 103-47

ATHENS TOPS TOWANDA, 103-47

April 13, 2021 Tim Birney

TOWANDA — Athens won 12 events of 18 events, and swept five of them, en route to a 103-47 win over Towanda here Tuesday afternoon in NTL Large School Division track & field action.

Senior Asher Ellis won three individual events, and junior Kyle Anthony won two.

Ellis won the discus with a toss of 143-feet, and senior Ian Wright was second at 112-feet, 6-inches.

Ellis also won the shot put with a heave of 48-feet, 2-inches, and Ian Wright was second at 36-feet, 11-inches.

Ellis won the javelin with a throw of 162-feet, 2-inches, and Ian Wright was third at 111-feet, 11-inches.

Anthony led a sweep in the 800-meter run, clocking in at 2:16.9, with senior Connor Dahl second at 2:20.7, and junior Justin Lynch third in 2:23.8.

Anthony also led a sweep in the 1,600-meter run in a time of 5:06.0. Dahl was second at 5:08.8, and junior Kaden Gorsline was third in 5:10.2.

Junior Matt Gorsline led a sweep in the 3,200-meter run in a time of 11:07.9, with Anthony second at 12:30.7, and Dahl third at 12:37.3.

Sophomore Jaden Wright won the 100-meter dash in 11.5 seconds, and freshman Ryan LaSusa was third in 12.0 seconds.

LaSusa led a sweep in the 200-meter dash in a time of 25.3 seconds, with senior John Ayres second in 25.8 seconds, and junior Ryan Thomson third in 26.5 seconds.

Lynch led a sweep in the 400-meter dash in a time of 59.4 seconds, while Ayres was second in 59.5 seconds, and sophomore Ethan Denlinger was third at 1:00.3.

The Wildcats also won the 400-, 1,600-, and 3,200-meter relays. (No names provided.)

Denlinger finished second in the high jump at 5-feet, 2-inches, and junior Brendan Jones was third at 4-feet, 10-inches.

Brendan Jones was second in the triple with with a distance of 32-feet, 6 1/2-inches. He finished third in the 300-meter hurdles in 51.3 seconds.

Jaden Wright finished second in the long jump with a leap of 15-feet, 8-inches, and junior Connor Brown was third at 15-feet 6 3/4-inches.

Junior Levi Kuhns finished third in the pole vault at 8-feet, 6-inches, and senior Carter Jones finished third in the 110-meter hurdles in a time of 20.5 seconds.

Athens returns to action Friday at Williamson.

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ATHENS BOYS, GIRLS TOP SAYRE IN SEASON-OPENER

ATHENS BOYS, GIRLS TOP SAYRE IN SEASON-OPENER

April 9, 2021 Tim Birney

ATHENS — The Athens boys and girls opened the 2021 season with wins over crosstown rival here Friday afternoon in NTL track & field action at Alumni Stadium.

The Athens boys topped Athens 96-45, while the Lady Wildcats won 94-11.

BOYS
Athens 96, Sayre 45

Jaden Wright , Justin Lynch, and Asher Ellis were triple-winners for the Wildcats, while Kyle Anthony and Matt Gorsline were double-winners in a 96-45 win over the Redskins.

Tavone McClenny was a triple-winner for the Sayre, and Bobby Benjamin was a double-winner.

Jaden Wright led a sweep for the Wildcats in the 100-meter dash, clocking in at 12.06 seconds, with Ryan Lasusa second in 12.42 seconds, and Joe Toscano third at 12.61 seconds.

Jaden Wright also won the 200-meter dash in a time of 25.57 seconds, while Lasusa was second in 25.79 seconds, and Toscano was third in 26.5 seconds.

Jaden Wright teamed with Levi Kuhns, LaSusa, and Ryan Thompson to win the 400-meter relay in a time of 49.36 seconds.

Lynch led a sweep in the 800-meter run, winning in a time of 2:24.39, while Sander Bertsch was second in 2:32.24, and Ethan Denlinger was third in 2:33.84.

Lynch, teamed with Gorsline, Anthony, and Connor Dahl to win the 1,600-meter relay in a time of 4:01.85. He teamed with Ethan Denlinger, Joe Toscano, and Sander Bertsch to win the 3,200-meter relay in a time of 9:48.34.

Ellis won the shot put with a heave of 45-feet, 11 1/2-inches, while Sayre’s Zach Belles was second at 44-feet, 7 1/2-inches, and Athens’ Ian Wright was third at 36-feet, 4-inches.

Ellis also won the discus with a toss of 125-feet, 3-inches, while Belles was second at 113-feet, 3-inches, and Ian Wright was third at 106-feet, 5-inches.

Ellis won the javelin with a throw of 147-feet, 2 1/2-inches, while Ian Wright was second at 110-feet, 7-inches, and Zach Stafursky was third at 102-feet, 5inches.

McClenny won the 400-meter dash in a time of 57.73 seconds, while Sayre’s Mason Hughey was second in 59.71 seconds, and Toscano was third in 1:02.67.

McClenny won the long jump with a leap of 18-feet, 7 1/2-inches, while Sayre’s Connor Young was second at 16-feet, 6 1/2-inches, and Athens’ Connor Brown was third at 15-feet 5 3/4-inches.

McClenny also won the triple jump with a hop, skip, and jump of 36-feet, while Connor Young was second at 35-feet, 10-inches, and Athens’ Brendan Jones was third at 31-feet, 9 1/2-inches.

Sayre’s Bobby Benjamin won the 300-meter hurdles in a time of 50.21 seconds, while Jones was second in 52.33 seconds, and Carter Jones was third at 52.37 seconds.

Benjamin also won the pole vault at 9-feet, 6-inches, while Athens’ Levi Kuhns was second at 8-feet, 6-inches.

The Wildcats swept the 1,600-meter run, with Kyle Anthony winning in a time of 4:54.05, Connor Dahl finishing second in 4:57.81, and Matt Gorsline placing third in 5:00.14.

The same trio swept the 3,200-meter run, with Gorsline winning in a time of 11:00.02, while Anthony placed second in 11:08.09, and Dahl in third at 11:14.27.

Athens’ Carter Jones won the 110-meter hurdles in a time of 21.43 seconds.

Connor Young won the high jump, clearing the bar at 5-feet.

GIRLS
Athens 94, Sayre 11

The Lady Wildcats won all 13 events, led by four-time winner Emma Roe, and triple-winners Emma Bronson and Emma Pernaselli.

Roe led a sweep in the 100-meter dash in a time of 13.16 seconds, with Hannah Walker second in 13.39 seconds, and Mya Thompson third in 13.76 seconds.

Roe won the 200-meter dash in a time of 29.13, while Cassy Friend was second in 32.02 seconds, and Emily King was third in 35.43.

Roe also won the 400-meter dash in a time of 1:06.03, and Thompson was second in 1:08.81.

Roe teamed with Abby Prickitt, Cailyn Conklin, and Walker won the 1,600-meter relay in a time of 5:25.15.

Bronson won the 800-meter run in a time of 2:45.38, while Conklin was second in 3:13.45, and Prickitt was third in 3:13.55.

Bronson won the 1,600-meter run in a time of 5:53.93, while Conklin was second in 7:18.83, and Sayre’s Corey Ault was third in 7:26.81.

Bronson also won the 3,200-meter run in a time of 12:53.33, and Ault was second in 16:42.57.

Emma Pernaselli won the shot put with a heave of 25-feet, 8 3/4-inches, while Sayre’s Ellie Boyle was second in 20-feet, 7 1/4-inches, and Athens’ Rachel Jelliff was third in 18-feet, 4 1/4-inches.

Pernaselli also won the discus with a toss of 69-feet, 3-inches, while Boyle was second at 53-feet, 10-inches, and Jelliff was third at 51-feet, 3-inches.

Pernaselli won the javelin with a throw of 56-feet, 5-inches, while Jelliff was second at 47-feet, 7-inches, and Boyle was third at 44-feet, 9-inches.

Walker won the 300-meter hurdles in a time of 53.43 seconds, and Emily Henderson was second in 1:06.36.

Thompson won the long jump with a leap of 14-feet, 5 1/2-inches, and Friend was second at 13 feet.

Henderson won the 100-meter hurdles in a time of 20.96 seconds.

Athens returns to action Tuesday at Towanda, while Sayre hosts NP-Mansfield and Towanda on Friday.

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