The Salamanca girls track and field team sent nine qualifiers to compete at the Section 6 Championships over the weekend. The Warriors were represented in 10 different events with 12 total entries. “This is by far the biggest representation we have had in a long time, probably since the early 1990’s,” Salamanca coach Laurie Lafferty-John said. “A lot of Salamanca pride in this accomplishment.”

One of the highlights of the meet was from freshman Jamila Nelthrope as she posted a 12.82 FAT (federation automatic timing) in the 100 meter dash. That was good enough for a new school record by .02 seconds which was held by Kathy Carrol in 1987. “Jamila took fourth overall in Class C/D in the event. Nelthrope also ran a 26.12 which was her PR from 26.61 seed time. That time is .28 seconds off of another school record. Nelthrope was plagued by injury this season and was forced to scratch the 200 during the finals heat.

Senior Ryanna Brady had the Warriors highest place finish taking third in the 2000 steeplechase (7:37.70) just over three seconds off her best. Brady also ran the 3000 meters Friday (11:15.10) taking fifth in the class.

She will be running at Division 1 Niagara University in the future.

Izabella Milks competed in three individual events for the Warriors, the first being the 100 hurdles (18.53) finishing in 16th place. Then in the high jump she cleared 5-0, taking sixth place overall in the class and jumping 32-11.5 in triple jump taking fifth. “Bella has been so dedicated and a great student of these events always looking for ways to improve. She will be continuing her love for track and field at St. Bonaventure, also a Division 1 program. We hope to be able to take some of our kids to watch her and Ryanna compete at this level,” Lafferty-John said.

Senior Summer Downey had her first individual appearance in the 400 hurdles. It was such a great way to watch her conclude her track career with a PR in the 400 hurdles and making it back for the finals taking eighth overall for us. “She has been the mother hen of our team and such a great kid to coach,” Lafferty-John said. “There will be a huge void in our team with these seniors graduating.”

Gabby Bly as a junior qualified in the 400 hurdles and the 2000 steeplechase. Bly ran a time of 1:15.74 which was over two seconds off her best time, and took 10th place overall. She was not able to finish the 2000 steeplechase due to an injury.

The 3200 relay team of Lailee Pierce, Kaylin Lemon, Milks and Brady posted a 10:56.24 to take 10th place overall. Pierce ran her best career split 2:42 and did Brady with a 2:32. “It was a good race for these girls,” Laffferty-John said.

The 400 relay team of Rhiannin Chase, Downey, Leilene McComber and Nelthrope ran fast enough in the semi-finals to come back to take eighth place in the finals. “Our goal was to break 52 seconds but it was not to be,” Lafferty-John said. “This team sits second in all time school history only 1.43 seconds from the school record. Three of the four girls return next season, and I am sure they have big goals for that challenge.”