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8th Annual Northwest Area Track Invitational

8th Annual Northwest Area Track Invitational

By: Carrie Miner Yaple | SportzWire | April 14, 2026 | Photo courtesy Carrie Miner Yaple

April 10, 2026 – Northwest Area High School

The 8th Annual Northwest Area Track Invitational delivered a full slate of standout performances from sprints, distance events, relays, and field competitions. With deep fields and strong early-season marks, several athletes established themselves as names to watch this spring.

Boys Highlights

In the 100-meter dash, Ty Wilkerson (Berwick) surged to victory in 11.53, narrowly holding off Keyen Johnson (Stroudsburg, 11.58) and Charlie Speicher (Scranton Prep, 11.60).

Johnson returned in the 200 meters to flip the script, winning in 22.86, ahead of Wilkerson (23.12) and Speicher (23.30), showcasing one of the meet’s best sprint rivalries.

The 400 meters saw Santiago Alvarez (Wyoming Valley West) take control in 51.59, with Matthew Stilp (Holy Redeemer) and Nolan Paulino (Hazleton Area) close behind.

Distance events were dominated by strong packs. Bodhi Cronin (Lake Lehman) led a 1-2 finish with his brother Finn in the 800 meters (1:57.64), while Stephen Martin (Lake Lehman) captured the 1600 meters in 4:36.10. The 3200 meters belonged to Lawrence Halbfoerster (Canton Area), breaking 10 minutes in 9:56.52.

Over hurdles, Elijah Zeneski (Crestwood) claimed the 110 hurdles (15.78), while Tanner Regan (Central Columbia) took the 300 hurdles in 40.81.

Relay action was equally competitive. Stroudsburg won the 4x100, while Lake Lehman powered to victory in the 4x400. Pittston Area controlled the 4x800 relay.

In the field, Nicholas Kondrosky (Wyoming Area) soared to 21-10 to win the long jump, while Bodhi Cronin added a second title in the triple jump (44-9.5). Anson Jumper (Crestwood) took the pole vault, and Jace Hanford (Montgomery) won the high jump.

Throws were highlighted by Ben Gravine (Wyoming Area) in the discus (158-5), Keegan Munch (Stroudsburg) in the javelin (201-7), and Josh Mruk (Wyoming Area) in the shot put (55-1.5).

Girls Highlights

Abby Burgess (Athens Area) led the sprint scene, winning both the 100 meters (12.70) and 200 meters (26.09). She also placed fourth in the 400, showing impressive range.

In the 400 meters, Julianna McAllister (Stroudsburg) clocked 1:00.01 for the win, while Riley Ruch (Crestwood) captured the 800 meters in 2:25.71.

Distance dominance came from Crestwood’s Kozich sisters. Katie Kozich swept the 1600 (5:11.18) and 3200 (11:13.19), with Mollie Kozich finishing runner-up in both.

Jenesa Sancho (Wyoming Area) impressed in hurdles, winning both the 100 hurdles (15.81) and 300 hurdles (46.52).

Relay titles were split among teams: Hazleton Area took the 4x100, Crestwood won both the 4x400 and 4x800, showing strong depth.

In field events, Nevaeh Baran (Greater Nanticoke) dominated the jumps, winning both the long jump (17-8.25) and triple jump (39-0.5). Alexis McRoberts (Canton Area) swept the throws with wins in both discus and shot put, while Delcia Biscotto (Lake Lehman) won the javelin.