The Bethel Park indoor track and field team celebrated a remarkable day at Youngstown State, achieving new milestones and sending an impressive contingent of athletes to the upcoming Adidas Nationals Track National meet in Virginia Beach this March.
Highlighting the event, junior Autumn Flowers set a new indoor school record, finishing second in the 60-meter hurdles at 9.47 seconds. Flowers etched her name in the school record books and qualified for the State and National meets.
Senior Clancy Orie, a Navy football recruit, showcased his athletic prowess with a fourth-place finish in the shot put, earning his spot at Nationals. Senior Marty Devine also turned heads, securing his position in the National competition with a second-place finish in the high jump.
The boys' 4x400-meter relay team, consisting of Finn O'Neil, Xavier Jackson, Joey Levis, and Jackson Friday, performed well, finishing second and qualifying for Nationals. Meanwhile, the girls' 4x200-meter relay team, featuring Francesca Blakovec, Delaney Boes, Iyonna Sloan, and Flowers placed sixth, and the boys' 4x200-meter relay team, with Jack Lester, Jackson, Levis, and Friday, secured third place.
In the 4x400 meter relay, the girls’ team of Sloan, Keira Mehalko, Balkovec, and Flowers showcased their talent by finishing fourth. Sophomore Sloan also shined individually, placing fourth in the girls' 400-meter race.
Brady McCarthy and Devine, who finished sixth and seventh, respectively, gave impressive performances in the long jump. McCarthy capped off the day with a standout victory in the boys’ pole vault, further contributing to the team's success.
Seven athletes have qualified for Nationals after just two meets, and the Bethel Park Indoor Track and Field team is poised for an exciting season ahead. "Great Day, BP Track and Field!" echoed through the halls as the team celebrated its achievements and looked forward to the challenges ahead.