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HANOVER TWP. — As it turns out, Shelby Stackhouse had her sights set on reaching record heights for awhile.

Now, everyone at Wyoming Area will be looking at her as the gold standard in girls pole vault.

Among her four individual victories, Stackhouse cleared 9-6 to set a new school mark in the vault Monday and Bree Bednarski won three times as the Wyoming Area girls ran their Wyoming Valley Conference winning streak to 11 straight meets with a 116-33 victory over Hanover Area.

“It means so much,” said Stackhouse, a sophomore “I’ve trained so hard for it. I’m glad I was finally able to achieve 9-5. As close as I came (to the record), I really wanted it.”

The Hanover Area boys simply wanted to make a statement.

And they did just that, as Muhammad Chesson won four events, Brandon Chafin won three and the Hawkeyes remained unbeaten by dropping last season’s Wyoming Valley Conference Division 2 champion Wyoming Area, 84-66.

“I felt like Hanover, as a whole, we said we will perform and work harder than any other team,” Chesson said. “That’s amazing for me.”

The win put the Hanover Area boys in a first-place tie with Meyers at 4-0 in the WVC Division 2 standings, with Lake-Lehman right behind at 3-1. Wyoming Area’s chances of repeating as the division champ became remote, as the Warriors fell two meets behind with three remaining in the regular season.

“Very nice,” Hanover Area coach Al Weston said of his boys’ unexpected surge. “Feels good.”

The Wyoming Area girls know the feeling.

After winning their first WVC Division 2 title in at least 18 years with a 7-0 finish last season, the Warriors joined Holy Redeemer at 4-0 this year and at the top of the division standings — a win ahead of 3-1 Northwest and Lake-Lehman.

Stackhouse played a big role in keeping it that way.

She placed first to lead a Wyoming Area sweep in the 100 hurdles, then began a personal run of three straight victories in field events by clearing the 9-6 mark in the pole vault.

That record was especially sentimental to her, since her father and Wyoming Area jumping coach Kenny Stackhouse still holds the Warriors boys record with a pole vault of 14-3.

“I’m kind of following in his footsteps,” Shelby Stackhouse said. “It’s all about form. Ever since I started, I got the idea to achieve it. I jumped 9-0 the previous meet.

“But I broke the record today.”

She never really broke down, either.

Stackhouse went straight to the long jump, and won that event with a leap of 5-10 1/2 before finishing up with her fourth individual victory by clearing 5-2 in the high jump.

“I’m a little dead,” Stackhouse laughed. “But I love the events. If I can help out the team, I would do anything.”

Bednarski did her part, winning the 100 and 200 sprints and running anchor on the winning 400 relay team. And Laura Heinzelmeier added long-distance wins in the 1,600 and 3,200 to keep the Warriors on pace to shoot for a second straight league title.

“I don’t think we’ve ever done it before,” Wyoming Area coach Joe Pizano said. “But I know we have a great group of girls, we brought up a lot of freshmen who bought in. All the kids know what they’re doing.”

The Hawkeyes are going their best to make the Division 2 championship a two-way battle with rival Meyers.

Hanover Area fended off its second straight one-loss team trying to stay in the title race, as Chesson captured the 100, 200 and 400-meter dashes and ran the final leg for the winning 1,600-meter relay team. Chafin piled up key points in the field events, winning the long jump, triple jump and discus throw.

“For this school, that’s the talk,” Chesson said. “Our track team needs to step up. Everyone’s excited for the Meyers meet, everyone’s looking forward to the Meyers meet. We have to keep our winning streak.”

But that showdown with Meyers won’t happen until the regular-season finale May 10, and both unbeaten boys teams have to get through two more meets before then.

To keep this run of success going, the Hawkeyes are counting on athletes like Josh Jacobino, who won the 800 and ran on the 1,600 relay team Monday, and Josselin Meyer, who placed third in both the 800 and 1600 meter runs.

“Our depth came into play today pretty good,” Weston said. “In a close meet like this, those third places are where it’s at. It’s big. We had enough thirds today to get through. We have a couple meets left. I try to take everything one day at a time.

“I just worry about tomorrow’s practice.”

Boys

Hanover Area 84, Wyoming Area 66

3,200 relay — 1. WA (Eslick, Alberigi, Saitta, Buczynski) 9:29. 110 hurdles — 1. WA, Crake 16.2; 2. Han, Brueckner; 3. WA, Chauer. 100 — 1. Han, Chesson 11.2; 2. WA, M. Murphy; 3. WA, R. Murphy. 1,600 — 1. WA, Marvin 4:55; 2. Han, Dule; 3. Han, Meyer. 400 — 1. Han, Chesson 52.8; 2. Han, Minnich; 3. WA, Chronowski. 400 relay — 1. WA (Miles, O’Boyle, M. Murphy, R. Murphy) 45.6. 300 hurdles — 1. Han, Brueckner 41.2; 2. WA, Crake; 3. WA, Acacio. 800 — 1. Han, Jacobino 2:13; 2. WA, Buczynski; 3. Han, Meyer. 200 — 1. Han, Chesson 23.6; 2. WA, M. Murphy; 3. WA, Giordano. 3,200 — 1. Han, Dule 11:31; 2. WA, Marvin; 3. WA, Alder. 1,600 relay — 1. Han (Meyer, Brueckner, Jacobino, Chesson) 3:49.

High jump — 1. WA, Buczynski 5-8; 2. Han, Minnich; 3. WA, Murray. Pole vault — 1. Han, Randall 11-0; 2. WA, Klaproth; 3. WA, Lagrue. Long jump — 1. Han, Chafin 21-2.25; 2. WA, Murray; 3. Han, Crosby. Triple jump — 1. Han, Chafin 41-0.50; 2. Han. Crosby; 3. Han, Percy. Shot put — 1. Han, Sheridan 42-9.50; 2. WA, Carr; 3. WA, Yurek. Discus — 1. Han, Chafin 124-1; 2. WA, Carr; 3. WA, Sokash-Minnick. Javelin — 1. Han, Eichler 140-11; 2. WA, Sokash-Minnick; 3. WA, Acacio.

Track format is SCH Name time (DAL Michael Smith 3:34.06;)

Field format is SCH Name distance (PA Joanna Williams 54-10.5;)

Girls

Wyoming Area 116, Hanover Area 33

3,200 relay — 1. WA (Kranson, Concha, Johnson, Fink) 11:57. 100 hurdles — 1. WA, Stackhouse 15.9; 2. WA, Spak; 3. WA, Astolfi. 100 — 1. WA, Bednarski 12.5; 2. WA, Rhodes; 3. Han, Hossage. 1,600 — 1. WA, Heinzelmeier 6:02; 2. Han, Saltz; 3. WA, Johnson. 400 — 1. Han, Orzechowski 64.8; 2. WA, Solano; 3. WA, Kasisky. 400 relay — 1. WA (Rhodes, Kranson, Spak, Bednarski) 53.4. 300 hurdles — 1. WA, Spak 49.5; 2. WA, Astolfi; 3. Han, Meyer. 800 — 1. WA, Concha 2:55; 2. WA, Kranson; 3. Han, Nay. 200 — 1. WA, Bednarski 26.3; 2. WA, Rhodes; 3. Han, Orzechowski. 3,200 — 1. WA, Heinzelmeier 14:47; 2. Han. Saltz. 1,600 relay — 1. WA (Concha, Rhodes, Solano, Pettit) 4:55.

High jump — 1. WA, Stackhouse 5-2; 2. Han, Gavlick; 3. WA, Astolfi. Pole vault — 1. WA, Stackhouse 9-6; 2. WA, Kopetchny; 3. Han, Saltz. Long jump — 1. WA, Stackhouse 15-10.50; 2. WA, Pettit; 3. WA, Gerchak. Triple jump — 1. WA, Pettit 39-9.75; 2. WA, Gerchak; 3. Han, Barber. Shot put — 1. WA, Rescinti 30-8.50; 2. Han, Hooper; 3. WA, Wright. Discus — 1. Han, Atherton 87-11; 2. WA, Spak; 3. WA, Baylor. Javelin — 1. Han, Hooper 103-8; 2. WA, Bednarski; 3. WA, Coolbaugh.

Junior Muhammad Chesson of Hanover Area won the boys 400-meter run with a time of 52.8, on his way to a four-win day that helped the unbeaten Hawkeyes remain in a first-place tie in the WVC Division 2 with a 4-0 record.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_ha-1.jpg.optimal.jpgJunior Muhammad Chesson of Hanover Area won the boys 400-meter run with a time of 52.8, on his way to a four-win day that helped the unbeaten Hawkeyes remain in a first-place tie in the WVC Division 2 with a 4-0 record.

Freshman Bella Concha of Wyoming Area is the first female to finish the 800-meter run with Aleah Kranson following behind her. The Warriors won their 11th consecutive WVC girls meet over the past two seasons to remain tied for first place in Division 2 at 4-0 this year.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_ha-2.jpg.optimal.jpgFreshman Bella Concha of Wyoming Area is the first female to finish the 800-meter run with Aleah Kranson following behind her. The Warriors won their 11th consecutive WVC girls meet over the past two seasons to remain tied for first place in Division 2 at 4-0 this year.

Juniors Ethan Crake and Brandon Brueckner compete in the hurdles. The pair split victories, with Crake winning the 110 hurdles and Brueckner taking the 300 hurdles.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_ha-3.jpg.optimal.jpgJuniors Ethan Crake and Brandon Brueckner compete in the hurdles. The pair split victories, with Crake winning the 110 hurdles and Brueckner taking the 300 hurdles.

Freshman Christy Herrera of Hanover Area throws the discus.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_ha-4.jpg.optimal.jpgFreshman Christy Herrera of Hanover Area throws the discus.

Junior Gillian Barber of Hanover Area gets ready to land after attempting the long jump.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_ha-5.jpg.optimal.jpgJunior Gillian Barber of Hanover Area gets ready to land after attempting the long jump.

Senior Bobby Acacio of Wyoming Area jumps over a hurdle during his 300 hurdle run, where he placed third.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_ha-6.jpg.optimal.jpgSenior Bobby Acacio of Wyoming Area jumps over a hurdle during his 300 hurdle run, where he placed third.
Stackhouse sets school record for unbeaten Wyoming Area girls, while Hanover Area boys stay unbeaten

By Paul Sokoloski

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Reach Paul Sokoloski at 570-991-6392 or on Twitter @TLPaulSokoloski