Coming into the season, Pleasant Valley track and field head coach Michelle Piontkowksi was hopeful that she could lean on her returning athletes to guide the Bears into their first season of competition in the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference.

After yesterday's meet against Nazareth and Liberty, Piontkowski's faith seems to have been well placed.The Pleasant Valley boys used several dominating performances to dispatch the Blue Eagles, 96-54, while also slipping by the Hurricanes, 79.5-70.5, to move to 3-0 this year.The Lady Bears weren't as fortunate, falling to Liberty, 88-62, but defeating Nazareth, 79-71."We knew that we were going to have to come out and do our best and that we were going to have to get some kids to step up. We knew that we would have to gain some points somewhere," Piontkowski said. "Luckily, our boys' long jump and boys' distance teams really came through for us."Both groups scored crucial points for the Bears on Monday afternoon.The Pleasant Valley (3-0, 3-0) boys' took first in the 800, 1600, 3200 and the 1600 and 3200 relays."We have a lot of depth there," Piontkowski said. "Those guys work really, really hard - they're out there in the rain and snow and they're the heart and soul of our team right now."Khai Samuels had a stellar day for the Bears, winning the 800, taking second in the 1600 while also running the anchor leg in the winning 1600 and 3200 relays.Samuels acknowledged that having such talented teammates has helped to make him better in all of his events."It's great. I couldn't ask for more," he said. "Seth (Slavin) and I are perfect training partners, because he has a lot of endurance and I have more speed. So I can help him with some of the shorter races, and he can help me with my endurance in the longer races. It works out perfectly."Slavin took first in the 1600 in 5:05.70 ahead of Samuels and was the runner-up to his friend in the 800, where the Bears took the top four spots."I think we're right there with the top teams in the district," said Slavin. "And that's because we work hard and have a great coach. We have all the tools and so far we've been able to take advantage of them, and that's key."Tom Ciacco capped Pleasant Valley's stellar day on the track, winning the 3200 in 10:36.After battling injuries and being unable to train prior to his cross country season this past fall, Ciacco, who was also on the 3200 relay team, is hoping to round into form as the spring progresses."I think I could be right up there, and I don't think anyone sees it coming," he said. "Being hurt over the summer, I spent a lot of my cross (country) season just getting back to where I was. Now, I think I definitely have a chance to be one of the top runners in the district."Demetrius Green led the Bears in the long jump, winning the event with a leap of 21-3. Kevin Cruz was second while Ron Moore took third to give PV the sweep.Jenn Mickens had a standout day for the Lady Bears (2-1, 2-1), winning the 800 (2:25.9) and 1600 (5:38.10).After qualifying for the state meet in the 800 last year, Mickens is hoping to improve on her results as a junior."Coming out of the indoor season last year and running those times was definitely amazing," said Mickens. "I had another good indoor season this year so I'm excited."Elizabeth Eberhardt (3200), Bridget Lozier (high jump) and Jalurah Moore (200) were all individual winners for the Lady Bears. Eberhardt was also a part of the winning 3200 relay team with Abigail Leach, Jamie Masullo and Megan Braddock.BOYSPleasant Vy. 96, Nazareth 54Pleasant Vy. 79.5, Liberty 70.5100 - 1. Julian Liaci (N) 10.70, 2. Josiah Wright (L), 3. Danny Hunter (PV), 3. Michael Morris (PV), 5. Matt Sheehan (PV), 5. Victor Santiago (L), 5. Darius Jones (L); 200 - 1. Julian Liaci (N) 22.60, 2. Josiah Wright (L), 3. Jahan Dotson (N), 4. Danny Hunter (PV), 5. Michael Morris (PV); 400 - 1. Aliem Hoousendrove (PV) 53.30, 2. Julian Liaci (N), 3. Matthew Vasquez (PV), 4. Isaac Quiintero (PV), 5. Tyson Calhoun (PV); 800 - 1. Khai Samuels (PV) 2:12.90, 2. Seth Slavin (PV), 3. Sean McGinley (PV), 4. Jonathan Mickens (PV), 5. Sam Belony (L); 1600 - 1. Seth Slavin (PV) 5:05.70, 2. Khai Samuels (PV), 3. Brendan Reily (L), 4. Patrick Jones (N), 5. Pedro LaRotta (L); 3200 - 1. Tom Ciaccio (PV) 10:36.00, 2. Will Masemore (L), 3. Billy Milburn (PV), 4. Ryan Murphy (PV), 5. Bradley Fox (N); 110 H - 1. Drew Keglovits (N) 16.80, 2. Yasim Jackson (L), 3. Nicholas Shahin (PV), 4. Kenneth Stocklinski (N), 5. Jose Rosario (PV); 300 H - 1. Yasim Jackson (L) 44.10, 2. Nicholas Shahin (PV), 3. Ryan Kellum (L), 4. Mark Barton (PV), 5. Kenneth Stocklinski (N); 400 Relay - 1. Lberty (Darius Jones, Kasey Myers, Victor Santiago, Josiah Wright) 45.70, 2. Nazareth, 3. Pleasant Valley; 1600 Relay - 1. Pleasant Valley (Khai Samuels, Isaac Quiintero, Matthew Vasquez, Noah Fulcomer) 3:41.10, 2. Nazareth, 3. Liberty; 3200 Relay - 1. Pleasant Valley (Tom Ciaccio, Jonathan Mickens, Sean McGinley, Khai Samuels) 9:19.00, 2. Nazareth, 3. Liberty; Shot Put - 1. Louie Czaszar (L) 41-1.0, 2. Trent Thomas (PV), 3. Matthew Gillingham (N), 4. Tyler Wadding (N), 5. Jaohne Duggan (L); Discus - 1. Louie Czaszar (L) 103-1, 2. Noah Bard (PV), 3. Devon Lindeman (L), 4. Matthew Porter (N), 5. Ben Bard (PV); Javelin - 1. Casey Clearie (L) 148-7, 2. Ryan Klapatch (PV), 3. Alex Guzman (L), 4. Brandon Kuehner (PV), 5. Jacob Werkheiser (N); Long Jump - 1. Demetrius Green (PV) 21-3.0, 2. Kevin Cruz (PV), 3. Ronald Moore (PV), 4. Samuel Avalos (N), 5. Isaiah Avent (L); Triple Jump - 1. Darius Jones (L) 42-8.0, 2. Isaiah Avent (L), 3. Matthew Zebley (N), 4. Justin Richardson (PV), 5. Maurice Wright (PV); High Jump - 1. Anthony Miller (L) 6-1, 2. Isaiah Avent (L), 3. Nicholas Shahin (PV), 3. Dayvon Reimert (L), 5. Matthew Zebley (N), 5. John Capobianco (N); Pole Vault - 1. Nicholas Miller (N) 12-9, 2. Matt Bernsdorf (N), 3. Trevor Joseph (L), 4. John Klein (PV), 5. Josh Vasquez (L).GIRLSPleasant Vy. 79, Nazareth 71Liberty 88, Pleasant Vy. 62100 - 1. Grace Mittl (L) 12.70, 2. Meghan Lazarchak (N), 3. Jalurah Moore (PV), 4. Rynisha House (L), 5. Peyton Shaffer (L); 200 - 1. Jalurah Moore (PV) 27.50, 2. Allyson Stitzer (N), 3. Rynisha House (L), 4. Peyton Shaffer (L), 5. Emily Wahlgren (N); 400 - 1. Rachel Finn (L) 1:04.50, 2. Shelbi Jones (PV), 3. Alicia Valladeras (L), 4. Allyson Stitzer (N), 5. Paola Mieles (PV); 800 - 1. Jennifer Mickens (PV) 2:25.90, 2. Haven Snyder (N), 3. Olivia Sahaydak (L), 4. Elizabeth Eberhardt (PV), 5. Abigail Leach (PV); 1600 - 1. Jennifer Mickens (PV) 5:38.10, 2. Raisa Kochmaruk (L), 3. Brianna Cohen (N), 4. Rachel Steinmark (PV), 5. Bryn Siberski (N); 3200 - 1. Elizabeth Eberhardt (PV) 12:46.00, 2. Zoe DeAngelo (N), 3. Juliann Duignam (N), 4. Kyra Allred (L), 5. Naomi Valladares (L); 100 LH - 1. Rashana Tompkins (L) 15.80, 2. Emily Wahlgren (N), 3. Harley Dejesus-Carrero (PV), 4. Nicole Brooks-Miller (PV), 5. Clearie McKenna (L); 300 H - 1. Rashana Tompkins (L) 51.80, 2. Abby Roselli (PV), 3. Lindsey Daems (N), 4. Natalie Seier (L), 5. Clearie McKenna (L); 400 Relay - 1. Liberty (Rachel Finn, Jaylyne Aminu, Kaylin West, Grace Mittl) 51.00, 2. Pleasant Valley, 3. Nazareth; 1600 Relay - 1. Nazareth (Meghan Lazarchak, Haven Snyder, Allyson Stitzer, Emily Wahlgren) 4:22.20, 2. Pleasant Valley, 3. Liberty; 3200 Relay - 1. Pleasant Valley (Elizabeth Eberhardt, Abigail Leach, Jamie Masullo, Megan Braddock), 2. Liberty, 3. Nazareth; Shot Put - 1. Kirstin Bradley (N) 32-10.5, 2. Jazmyn Aminu (L), 3. Natalia Salmon (PV), 4. Jachobed Arthur (L), 5. Megan Jacobi (N); Discus - 1. Jachobed Arthur (L) 84-10, 2. Megan Jacobi (N), 3. Jazmyn Aminu (L), 4. Kori-Ann Taylor (L), 5. Natalia Salmon (PV); Javelin - 1. Eleni Prodes (L) 101-02, 2. Diane McKinsey (PV), 3. Madison Bradley (N), 4. Megan Jacobi (N), 4. Jochobed Arthur (L); Long Jump - 1. Kaylin West (L) 16-8, 2. Emily Wahlgren (N), 3. Maddy Brandt (PV), 4. Yulymar Santamlla (N), 5. Natalie Seier (L); Triple Jump - Kaylin West (L) 34-11, 2. Natalie Seier (L), 3. Lauren Heess (L), 4. Sofia Janak (PV), 5. Julia McFarland (N); High Jump - 1. Bridget Lozier (PV) 5-1, 2. Lea Harding (N), 3. Beth Nelson (L), 4. Katie Pinter (L), 5. Sofia Janak (PV); Pole Vault - 1. Rachel Finn (L) 9-0, 2. Brooke Fox (N), 3. Nicole Bercaw (N), 4. Darby Reiss (PV), 5. Madyson DeAngelo (L).