WHITEHALL - Faith Yost was thrilled with her first jump.

The Northwestern senior couldn’t believe her second.

Yost soared to a pair of gold medals on Day 1 of the Colonial League Track and Field Championships on Tuesday. Her second victory came in record-breaking fashion, with a leap of 18-9 in the long jump establishing a Colonial League meet record.

“I honestly didn’t even see the board,” Yost said of her record-setting jump. “I just looked down at the tape measure, and my teammate goes, ‘That’s an 18-0!’ It was mind boggling. It was 18-plus! I couldn’t imagine it.”

Yost’s first triumph came in the high jump, where she cleared 5-1.

It wasn’t the only tremendous performance for area athletes, as Northern Lehigh’s Caitlin Kirk and Nick Frame, along with Palmerton’s Bryson Walters also captured gold in the Colonial League meet

A number of other athletes left Whitehall’s Zephyr Sports Complex with podium finishes and spots in the finals for several events in both the Colonial League and Eastern Pennsylvania Conference.

Have a little Faith

Yost started the long jump with a bang, jumping a 17-8 for a new personal best to top her previous mark of 17-4.

“That was insane for me, and because of that adrenaline it allowed me to get that 18-9,” said Yost, who was seeded third.

Yost first tried long jump at a track and field clinic in seventh grade and knew she liked it and could be successful. But success in other events, such as the high jump, 100 hurdles and 300 hurdles, put her focus elsewhere.

Until this season.

“It wasn’t until this year that I really really pushed for it and really wanted to do it,” said Yost, who has broken the school record in the event three times this season.

Yost was sixth in the Class 3A high jump at states last season, and has made the transition to the long jump utilizing the strengths that have made her successful.

“I have a short run up, because I find that I can reach a high sprint speed pretty quickly,” Yost said of the long jump. “I feel like it’s more helpful for me to, after multiple events, to just have a short run up. So I just run, take off and knee drive and everything else is just memory. The only thing that I’m very conscious of is when I snap, I have to work on snapping a little bit harder, but that’s it.”

After winning four gold medals at last year’s league meet – in the 100 hurdles, 300 hurdles, high jump and as a member of the 1600 relay – Yost is primed for another haul at her final league competition.

She advanced to the finals in the 100 hurdles with a 15.67, the best time in the prelims. Teammate Katie Brensinger also made it to the finals with a time of 17.81.

Yost was among three girls seeded with a 5-2 in the high jump.

The senior, along with Paige Casterline of Palisades and Brooke Bleam of Saucon Valley, all cleared 5-1 Tuesday, but Yost was the only one with no misses at the height.

Her mark in the long jump broke the previous record of 18-5.75 set by Salisbury’s Lindsay Bauer in 2016.

“My coach told me that and I almost started crying, because I can’t even begin to process it,” Yost said of the record. “It’s going to take days for me to realize that’s what I did.

“I’m excited. I’m really excited for tomorrow. In the 100 meter hurdles, I know I have great competition there, too, and I’m just looking to stay consistent. As long as I stay consistent, I’ll be very happy.”

‘Dawg days

Frame and Kirk posted big marks to win the javelin and discus, respectively.

Kirk was clutch in the discus, unleashing a throw of 109-05 in her final attempt to take the win ahead of Northwestern’s Sadie Fenstermaker, who tossed a 107-02 to lead Kirk by two inches.

The senior, who was the top seed with a mark of 110-10, was second in the event at leagues a year ago.

“I came in kind of nervous,” said Kirk. “I don’t know why, because I wasn’t this nervous last year. But I think having the top seed, and knowing everyone was coming for it and I wanted to keep it, it was just hard to take in. Especially only being a two-year thrower. It’s crazy for me to place second last year and then come in take first this year.”

Kirk threw over 100-feet on each of her throws Tuesday, but knew she needed to find a little extra to come away with gold.

“I knew I had to come out and figure out what I was going to do,” said Kirk. “It was really nerve racking. My coach (Derek Long) came over and gave me a pep talk and told me just get out of my head, do what I did in practice, throw it as far as I can and hope for the best.”

Frame has come into his own in the javelin, and his progress as a first-year thrower was evident Tuesday. The senior uncorked a 175-01 to win the javelin to top the mark of 162-03 he was seeded with.

“It’s nice. It’s my first year doing it, and I’m picking it up pretty fast,” said Frame. “It’s good, because districts is here next week and I PR’d with three of my throws, so I’m just excited for next week.”

A standout quarterback for the Bulldogs during the football season, Frame has been able to translate his throwing abilities to the javelin.

“The first time I threw it, it wasn’t the greatest,” Frame said with a laugh. “I was throwing around 110-feet, and I was about to give up. But I started throwing farther and farther every day, and I picked up on really how to throw it, and it’s a lot of fun.”

Frame’s day also included a fourth-place finish in the high jump, where he cleared 5-11.

Bombers take flight

Palmerton’s Bryson Walters won the 300 hurdles with a time of 41.04, just ahead of Notre Dame Green Pond’s Joseph Phillips (41.12).

“I definitely heard him and saw him in my peripheral,” said Walters, who was seeded second with a 40.50. “I felt him gaining on me. I was just really going to go for it and give it everything I had with a lean.

“It feels great. It’s amazing. It took a lot of work to achieve this this season. I’m definitely looking forward to tomorrow, with the finals in the 110s (hurdles).”

Palmerton had a quartet of runners made it to the boys 100 hurdle finals. Walters (15.42), Justin Herrmann (16.57), Emilio Gonzalez (16.72) and Reilly Burke (16.95) all moved on.

Nataly Walters was second in the long jump with a mark of 18-4. The sophomore also advanced to the finals in the 100 (12.50) and 200 (25.90). She is also the top seed in today’s triple jump event.

Teammate Erin Gombert also advanced to the finals in the 100 (12.89) and 200 (26.71). Ty Sander advanced to the finals in the 200 with a time of 23.49 for the Blue Bombers.

Ryan Burkett and Zack Anthony also landed on the podium in the discus for the Blue Bombers. Burkett was second with a throw of 141-04, while Anthony placed fourth with a throw of 132-11.

Distance success

Palmerton’s Owen Hibell placed second in the 3200 with a time of 9:55.69, Northwestern’s Matthew Santana was third with a tine of 10:06.16, while Connor Hibell placed fourth with a time of 10:16.15 for the Blue Bombers.

Northwestern ran to a second place finish in the boys 3200 relay with a time of 8:21.14. Palmerton was third with a time of 8:32.62.

Northern Lehigh and Palmerton also medaled in the girls 3200 relay. The Bulldogs placed third with a time of 10:10.64, while the Bombers were fourth with a time of 10:12.31.

Tiger tales

Northwestern’s Carsyn Van Norman (12.85) advanced to the 100 finals.

Hannah Gober was third in the javelin with a throw of 109-08 for the Tigers, while Gavin Nelson was third in the high jump, clearing 6-1.

On the podium

Northern Lehigh’s Zoe Hathaway and Emma Snyder tied for fourth in the high jump, both finishing with a height of 4-11.

EP Conference

Pleasant Valley’s Reese Ruggiero was second in the pole vault, clearing 11-0.

Kara Miller was third in the shot put with a mark of 31-06.75 for the Bears.

“I came in first place out of my flight, but it was kind of up in the air if I was going to make it to finals or not,” said Miller. “My most recent PR was 30-5, so I was in no way expecting really to PR today, but hitting 31-6 was a pretty big deal to me.

“I came just kind of off a sprained ankle too from volleyball, maybe three weeks back, so I was really happy with where I am right now, especially coming off that.”

Miller got her best mark on her final throw of finals. She was at 29-11 prior to her best mark.

The junior will also be in the mix in today’s EPC javelin event, where she is seeded fifth.

“I’m happy,” said Miller. “I’m a little nervous going into tomorrow, but I think this definitely eases it a little bit, just showing that if I really stick to the technique I really can do it.”

Pleasant Valley’s Patrick Moore (11.08) and Jarael Moore (11.23) both advanced to the 100 finals.

Jarael Moore also advanced to the finals of the 200 with a time of 22.67.

DAY 2

... The final day of competition will begin with on track and field events at 3 p.m. The Colonial League girls 100 hurdle finals will be the first on track event, followed by the EPC girls 100 hurdle finals.

Colonial League Track & Field Championships

LEGEND

Bangor (B), Catasauqua (C), Moravian Academy (MA), Notre Dame Green Pond (NDGP), Notre Dame East Stroudsburg (NDES), Northern Lehigh (NL), Northwestern (NW), Palmerton (P), Palisades (Pal), Pen Argyl (PA), Salisbury (S), Southern Lehigh (SL), Saucon Valley (SV), Wilson (W).

RESULTS

(top three plus locals in top 10)

BOYS

3200

- 1. Thomas Smigo (Pal) 9:32.15, 2. Owen Hibell (P) 9:55.69, 3. Matthew Santana (NW) 10:06.16, 4. Connor Hibell (P) 10:16.15.

300 Hurdles

- 1. Bryson Walters (P) 41.04, 2. Joseph Phillips (NDGP) 41.12, 3. Bryce Guthier (Pal) 41.98, 5. Reilly Burke (P) 43.54, 8. Shane Leh (NW) 44.17.

3200 relay

- 1. Notre Dame Green Pond (Abraham Sasso, Alec Miner, Jordan Sasso, Michael Maslonka) 8:21.14, 2. Northwestern (Samuel Bower, Greyson Wellings, Sean Kershner, Matthew Santana) 8:25.55. 3. Palmerton (Dylan Hartranft, Jordan Mann, Connor Hibell, Owen Hibell) 8:32.62.

High jump

- 1. Robert Allen (SL) 6-3, 2. Lucas Bottelier (Pal) 6-1, 3. Gavin Nelson (NW) 6-1, 4. Nick Frame (NL) 5-11, 7. Izaiah Ramos (NL) 5-7, 9. Justin Herrmann (P) 5-7, 10. Ethan Kozlowski (NW) 5-5.

Long jump

- 1. Lucas Bottelier (Pal) 22-2, 2. Taylor LaBarre (PA) 21-8, 3. Jack Inglis (SL) 20-11, 5. Stephen Jones (P) 20-9.

Discus

- 1. Gian Greggo (PA) 152-11, 2. Ryan Burkett (P) 141-4, 3. Dylan Krugh (B) 138-11, 4. Zack Anthony (P) 132-11, 6. Colin Myers (NW) 122-07.

Javelin

- 1. Nick Frame (NL) 175-0, 2. Jace Hershey (PA) 156-7 3. Jacob Hartzell (B) 155-0, 5. Alex Konze (P) 134-11, 9. Brendan Miller, (NW) 124-8.

GIRLS

3200

- 1. Avery Errico (W) 11:44,32, 2. Maura Lenhart (SL) 12:11.19, Alaina Patel (SL) 12:15.97, 7. Angelina Klein (NW) 12:35.07.

300 Hurdles

- 1. Faith Schiffer (SL) 46.70, 2. Ellianna Wallbillich (PA) 48.18, 3. Melissa Shunk (W) 48.82, 5. Kate Brensinger (NW) 51.08, 8. Megan Fornwalt (NW) 51.46.

3200 relay

- 1. Notre Dame Green Pond (Lauren Bower, Ella Schweitser, Brenna Hammerstone, Katherine Koons) 9:49.25, 2. Southern Lehigh (Maura Lenhart, Elizabeth Yazdanyar, Alaina Patel, Emily Stock) 9:55.82, 3. Northern Lehigh (Natalie Moffitt, Emma Heil, Mikayla Gordon, Katelynn Barthold) 10:10.64, 4. Palmerton (Emma Martinez, Cora Wentz, Emma Rex, Natalie Mosier) 10:12.31, 8. Northwestern (Haley Dubois, Sophia Cornell, Sophia Penny, Angelina Klein) 10:40.17.

High jump

- 1. Faith Yost (NW) 5-1, 2. Paige Casterline (P) 5-1, 3. Brooke Bleam (SV) 5-1, 4. Zoe Hathaway (NL) 4-11, 7. Norah Silfies (NW) 4-11, 8. Emma Rex (P) 4-9, 9. Celina Ruddell (NW) 4-7.

Long jump

- 1. Faith Yost (NW) 18-9 (meet record), 2. Nataly Walters (P) 18-4 1/2, 3. Alexandra Lea (SL) 17-3 1/4.

Discus

- 1. Caitlin Kirk (NL) 109-5, 2. Sadie Fenstermaker (NW) 107-2, 3. Emma Zambo (NDGP), 101-2, 5. Katie Brensinger (NW) 90-7, 7. Jessica Heydt (P) 86-4, 9. Gretchen Schaible (P) 83-01.

Javelin

- 1. Julia Pinter (B) 126-2, 2. Kaitlyn Carson (P) 112-9, 3. Hannah Gober (NW) 109-8, 6. Alexandra Diehl (NW) 97-7.

Eastern Pennsylvania Conference Track & Field Championships

LEGEND

Allen (A), Allentown Central Catholic (ACC), Bethlehem Catholic (BC), Dieruff (D), Easton (E), East Stroudsburg North (ESN), East Stroudsburg South (ESS), Emmaus (EM), Freedom (F), Liberty (L), Nazareth (N), Northampton (NOR), Parkland (P), Pleasant Valley (PV), Pocono Mountain East (PME), Pocono Mountain West (PMW), Stroudsburg (S), Whitehall (W).

RESULTS

(top three plus locals in top 10)

BOYS

3200

- 1. Adam Kollgaard (N) 9:38.55, 2. Ethan Willard (P) 9:47.39, 3. Owen Reilly (L) 9:59.18.

300 hurdles

- 1. Andrew Beers (P) 38.69, 2. Christopher Reed (PMW) 40.35, 3. Parker Hoff (N) 40.92.

3200 relay

- 1. Parkland 8:00.42, 2. Nazareth 8:04.72, 3. Emmaus 8:05.52.

Triple jump

- 1. Kyle Moore (EM) 46-9 1/4, 2. Kevin Polonia (S) 46-5 1/2, 3. Brooks Britt (F) 45-2 1/2.

Shot put

- 1 Odin Ferency (E) 54-10 1/2, 2. Clark Gulycz (ACC) 53-4 3/4, 3. Xion Chapman (D) 50-3 1/2.

Pole vault

- 1. Drew Brinker (S) 13-6, 2. Boden Burkhart (N) 12-6, 2. Andrew Szeplaki (N) 12-6.

GIRLS

3200

- 1. Hailey Reinhard (EM) 10:58.76, 2. Madelyn McCartney (EM) 11:27.78, 3. Payton Campbell (EM) 11:42.40.

300 Hurdles

- 1. Maggie Scalzo (E) 45.14, 2. Payton Davis (L) 48.70, 3. Rileigh Heitz (E) 48.71, 9. Mattison Hyland (PV) 50.85.

3200 relay

-1. Parkland 9:42.14, 2. Easton 9:47.06, 3. Emmaus 9:56.98, 7. Pleasant Valley 10:24.16.

Triple jump

- 1. Gabrielle Lanier (E) 36-8 1/2, 2. Brooke Rawls (L) 36-5 3/4, 3. Anne Beenders (N) 36-2 1/2, 8. Reese Ruggiero (PV) 34-7 1/4.

Shot put

- 1. Celis Miranda (ESN) 36-6, 2. Godwina Yalley (D) 33-5, 3. Kara Miller (PV) 31-6 3/4.

Pole vault

- 1. Annika Flanigan (L) 12-0, 2. Reese Ruggiero (PV) 11-0, 3. Carrington Brehm (E) 9-6.