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THE CLARION OFFICE OF
BROOKVILLE, Pa. – The 2023 District 9 Class 2A and 3A girls’ and boys’ track and field championships are slated for Brookville on Friday, May 19, a group headlined by defending state champions Mylee Harmon of Redbank Valley and Hayden Smith of Union/A-C Valley.
The Punxsutawney boys and Redbank Valley girls are the defending Class 2A champions, while the St. Marys girls and DuBois boys are the returning champs in 3A.
The 2023 Track & Field Championships powered by Janey Montgomery Scott in Clarion are brought to you by Janey Montgomery Scott in Clarion, Charles Leach Agency, Sheffield Sports Boosters, Hunter’s Station Golf Club, and Cassidy Insurance Group in Slippery Rock,
Action gets underway with the boys’ and girls’ long jump at 1 p.m. and concludes with the 4×400 relay at approximately 7:45 p.m.
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Here’s a look at each field.
GIRLS
The Class 2A girls’ field is highlighted by Mylee Harmon, the defending state champion in the 400 meters.
Harmon had a banner day as a freshman in 2022 in leading the Lady Bulldogs to their first-ever team title, winning the 200 and 400 along with the high jump, while running the anchor leg in the 4×400 relay team which finished second, clinching the team title.
Harmon is a headliner in the 400 again with a season-best time of 59.60.
Oswayo Valley’s Cheyenne Mehl is another athlete to watch, as she attempts to win her third D9 title in both the 800 and 1600. She’ll face stiff competition in the 800, with North Clarion’s Gia Babington (2:22.40) the top seed just ahead of Mehl (2:23.05). Mehl, at 5:22.87, is the top seed in the 1600 by just over seven seconds.
In the field, Punxsutawney’s Mary Grusky, Union/A-C Valley’s Evie Bliss, and Redbank Valley’s Claire Henry headline a strong contingent.
Grusky is the defending champion in the javelin and discus. Bliss (151-3) is actually the top seed, followed by Grusky at 145-8.
Henry, meanwhile, is seeking her third D9 title in the pole vault and at 10’ is the top seed by a full foot.
Other defending champions include Punxsutawney’s Rebekah Miller in the shot put, Elk County Catholic’s Grace Neubert in the 3200, and Brookville’s Julie Monnoyer in the 100 hurdles.
In Class 3A, returning champions include Bradford’s Abbigail Schleicher is the defending champion in the 100, 200, and 400, St. Marys’ Gabby Pistner in the 800, DuBois’ Morgan Roemer in the 1600 and 3200, Bradford’s Alexa Corignani in the 100 hurdles, St. Marys’ Maura Caskey in the 300 hurdles, DuBois’ Madelyn Crabtree in the high jump and DuBois’ Lauren Stroka in the long jump and triple jump.
St. Marys’ decorated 4×800 relay team of Lucia Hayes, Mary Defilippi, Christina Frontz, and Pistner is the top seed at 9:39.71 and is considered a state title contender.
BOYS
There is a ton to be excited about in the boys’ Class 2A field, headlined by defending state high jump champion Hayden Smith of Union/A-C Valley. Smith has the top jump in the state again this year, clearing 6’9”.
Coudersport’s Kevin Sherry is the defending champion in the 1600 and 3200, finishing fourth and fifth respectively at states in those events. He is the top seed again in both events at 4:22.58 and 9:31.42.
Clarion-Limestone’s Ryan Hummell leads the field in the javelin at 194’6” after finishing fourth at states a year ago.
Redbank Valley’s Cam Wagner is the top seed in the discus (173’3”) and second in the shot put (51’10”), finishing third at states in the discus a year ago. Union/A-C Valley’s Landon Chalmers is the top seed in the shot put and second in the discus.
Punxsutawney’s Brett Dean is the defending champ in the 200 and is seeded second at 22.82 to Brookville’s Hayden Freeman (22.74).
In Class 3A, returning champions include DuBois’ Jaedon Yarus in the 200 and 400, DuBois’ Andrew Shaffer-Doan in the high jump and triple jump, DuBois’ Edward Burkett in the pole vault, DuBois’ Carson Dombroski in the discus, and Clearfield’s Isaac Samsel in the javelin.
