WHITEHALL – Titles came quickly Tuesday at Whitehall’s Zephyr Sports Complex.

On the opening day of the Colonial League and EPC Track and Field Championships, area athletes turned fast starts into podium finishes.

By day’s end, five local competitors stood atop the Colonial League podium, each taking a different path to a championship performance and setting the tone for Wednesday’s final day.

GILLESPIE SETS THE PACE

Jim Thorpe freshman Logan Gillespie, the reigning Times News/Lehigh Valley Health Network Girls Cross Country Athlete of the Year, delivered one of the most impressive performances of the meet, capturing the Colonial League 3200-meter title in a personal-best time of 11:35.61.

Seeded second at 11:47.17, Gillespie entered the race with modest expectations, focused primarily on earning a medal in a competitive field.

“I didn’t have super high expectations,” she said. “I was seeded second, so I just wanted to make the podium. If I got a medal, I was happy — and it ended up going way better than that.”

As the race developed, Gillespie found her rhythm and gradually took control.

She said she felt strong throughout, but the turning point came late.

“With about 800 meters left, I knew I had it,” Gillespie said.

Her winning time marked a significant breakthrough, shaving 12 seconds off her previous best and putting her within striking distance of the school record.

“I’m really happy — that’s a PR by 12 seconds,” she said.

The performance was even more notable given her limited preparation leading into the season, making her breakthrough even more impressive.

Now building momentum, Gillespie is focused on continuing that upward trajectory.

“I just need to focus on what I’m doing and not worry about others,” she said.

ROMAN STRIKES EARLY

Jim Thorpe sophomore Isabella Roman didn’t need long to make her impact felt.

Roman captured the Colonial League javelin title with a throw of 123-6, a mark that held up from the very beginning of the competition.

Seeded second with a top throw of 121-2 entering the meet, Roman delivered her winning mark on her first attempt, immediately putting pressure on the rest of the field.

Area athletes dominated the event, sweeping the top four spots — Roman, Palmerton’s Emma Rex, Northwestern’s Kylie Christman and teammate Hannah Gober — and placing seven among the top 10 finishers.

“I’m really proud,” she said. “I just wanted to stay focused and do what I do best.”

Even she didn’t expect it to come so quickly.

“I got my best throw on my first attempt, which surprised me,” Roman said. “It just flew perfectly. I put my whole body into it.”

In just her second season in the event, Roman continues to develop both confidence and consistency, showing the ability to deliver in big moments.

“I just really wanted to win,” she said.

With districts ahead, she knows there is still room to grow.

“I’m really pumped going into districts,” Roman said. “I just need to snap my arm more and put everything into it.”

Klimek delivers big throw

Northern Lehigh junior Landen Klimek followed a similar script — making his biggest statement early.

Klimek captured the Colonial League discus title with a throw of 158-1, unleashing his winning mark on his very first attempt.

Seeded third at 152-10, Klimek wasted little time surpassing his previous best and taking control of the event.

“It means a lot,” he said. “I trained very hard in the offseason, so I’m excited to be in the position I’m in.”

For Klimek, the event’s technical demands are what make it rewarding.

“Discus is very technical, so your work shows when you throw,” he said. “I like showing that I work hard.”

As soon as the discus left his hand, he knew.

“As soon as it left my hand, I knew,” Klimek said. “It was the best feeling in the world.”

Still, he stayed locked in for the remainder of the competition, knowing the field could respond.

“It’s never over after your first throw,” he said. “There’s always guys that can PR, so you’re always thinking about the next one.”

Klimek also embraced the competitive environment.

“I love the competition,” he said. “I like playing up to it and showing what I can do.”

Lagowy clears the bar

Northwestern junior Michael Lagowy took a different path — one that required patience and persistence as the bar continued to rise.

Lagowy cleared 6-3 to win the Colonial League high jump, capping off one of the most competitive events of the meet.

Competing in track for the first time this season, Lagowy entered the meet seeded fifth at 5-11 before delivering a breakthrough performance.

“My PR before this was 5-11, so to hit 6-3 is pretty crazy,” he said.

Lagowy’s path to the title wasn’t without challenges. He cleared 5-5, 5-7 and 5-9 on his first attempts before needing all three tries to get over 5-11. From there, he found his rhythm, clearing 6-1 on his first attempt and 6-3 on his second.

Jim Thorpe’s Pierce Gothard pushed him throughout, matching Lagowy through 6-1 and also clearing 6-3, but on his third attempt. Both were unable to clear 6-5.

Northern Lehigh’s Kellen Bauer placed third at 6-1.

“As I get more warmed up, I feel looser, and that helps a lot,” Lagowy said. “As the bar gets higher, I move back a little more, and that’s helped me.”

After playing lacrosse his first two years, Lagowy turned to track — and quickly found success.

“It’s been a grind, but it’s been awesome,” he said.

He credits his football background for helping him adapt.

“It’s similar mechanics and explosiveness, like going up to catch a ball,” he said. “I like the pressure. Having a lot of guys competing with me pushes you harder.”

Trelease powers through

While others delivered early, Northern Lehigh sophomore Anna Trelease showed the value of patience.

Trelease captured the Colonial League discus title with a throw of 122-7, reaching her top mark on her third attempt.

Seeded second with a mark of 117-0, she steadily worked her way into the lead, continuing her return from an injury suffered during wrestling season.

A sophomore who tore ligaments in her ankle at states, Trelease has only recently returned to competition after winning District 11 Class 2A titles in both the discus and javelin last season.

“I’m just grateful to get back out there after being off for so long with the injury,” she said. “It’s fun to get my body moving again and just compete.”

Her recovery required a shift in focus, emphasizing strength training while limiting stress on her leg.

“I’ve been lifting like crazy — just focusing on upper body and my relationship with God,” she said. “I hit a bunch of bench PRs, so I was grateful to still be able to put in work.”

The experience has reshaped her mindset.

“This injury has made me more grateful for what I have,” Trelease said. “It’s made me work harder and be more humble.”

“It’s a big confidence boost,” she added. “Just knowing I can go out there with limited time and still do it.”

Gearhart battles through

At the EPC Championships, Pleasant Valley senior Uriah Gearhart delivered one of the area’s grittiest performances.

Gearhart finished second in the triple jump with a mark of 45-6 — recorded on his only attempt.

Seeded sixth at 44-8, he surpassed his previous best despite being limited to a single jump due to a partially torn patellar tendon.

“I’m very happy. That was my first jump — and I’m still injured,” said Gearhart.

Despite having just one opportunity, he made it count.

“When I heard 45, that excites me. That elates me,” he said.

The injury has forced him to adjust both physically and mentally.

“My right patellar tendon is about 50 percent torn, so I think about it all the time — like, what if it goes during a jump?” he said. “I only get one jump, so I just focus on myself.”

Even so, he knows there’s more ahead.

“If I had more opportunities, I think I could go 46 or 47,” he said. “Adversity happens — you just have to keep going and find a way around it.”

Team Standings

Southern Lehigh leads the Colonial League boys standings, while Notre Dame-Green Pond sits atop the girls standings after the opening day of competition.

Northwestern Lehigh is second in both races, with contributions across multiple events, while Jim Thorpe, Lehighton, Palmerton and Northern Lehigh all remain in the mix heading into the final day.

In the EPC, Parkland leads the boys standings, while Emmaus sits atop the girls standings entering Wednesday.

The Colonial League and EPC Championships conclude Wednesday at Whitehall.

COLONIAL LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIPS

BOYS

Team Standings

1. Southern Lehigh 43; 2. Northwestern Lehigh 36; 3. Bangor 28; 4. Wilson 22.5; 5. Lehighton 21; 6. Saucon Valley 20; 7. Catasauqua 19; 7. Jim Thorpe 19; 9. Palisades 17.5; 10. Northern Lehigh 17; 11. Pen Argyl 13; 12. Notre Dame-GP 11; 13. Salisbury 6; Palmerton 0.

Individual Results

(top-3 plus other locals in top-10)

3200 – 1. Jeffrey Sunderlin (W) 9:46.09, 2. Miles Etters (SL), 3. Elijah Pagotto (L); 7. Noah Griffith (NW), 9. Brandon Richards (NW), 10. Zaid Salih (NL);

300 Hurdles – 1. Gaddiel Bidohuertas (SV) 39.30, 2. Josiah Lafond (C), 3. Jack Pavis (SL); 4. Spencer Gothard (JT), 6. Equan Warner (L), 8. Cayden Anglin (NL);

Discus – 1. Landen Klimek (NL) 158-1, 2. Jacob Hillis (B), 3. Silas Day (P); 4. Ian Zettlemoyer (NW), 5. Bodie Hawk (L), 6. Lucian Meckley (NW), 7. Gavin Strohl (JT);

Javelin – 1. Jacob Hillis (B) 170-1, 2. Trexler Moore (PA), 3. Grady Oravec (SL); 6. Kris Rodgers (L), 8. Nathan Geiger (NW), 9. Luke Rennells (NW), 10. Connor Dugan (L);

High Jump – 1. Michael Lagowy (NW) 6-3, 2. Pierce Gothard (JT), 3. Kellen Bauer (NL); 9. Quinn Heimbach (L), 9. Owen Eckhart (L);

Long Jump – 1. Emmanuel Bolmer (C) 22-2, 2. Calvin Gehman (SL), 3. Steven Lozada (S); 5. Landon Gaulweiler (NW), 6. Robert Levins (JT), 7. Logan Mesics (NW), 8. Michael Lagowy (NW);

3200 Relay – 1. Wilson 8:23.07, 2. Northwestern Lehigh, 3. Southern Lehigh; 4. Lehighton, 8. Jim Thorpe.

GIRLS

Team Standings

1. Notre Dame-GP 61; 2. Northwestern Lehigh 39; 3. Southern Lehigh 36; 4. Jim Thorpe 31; 5. Wilson 23.5; 5. Palmerton 23.5; 7. Pen Argyl 20; 8. Northern Lehigh 18; 9. Bangor 9; 10. Salisbury 4; 10. Saucon Valley 4; 12. Lehighton 2; 12. Palisades 2; Catasauqua 0.

Individual Results

(top-3 plus other locals in top-10)

3200 – 1. Logan Gillespie (JT) 11:35.61, 2. Juliana Bonham (W), 3. Emma Heil (NL); 8. Payten Fornaro (P), 9. Claudia Pagotto (L);

300 Hurdles – 1. Savina Steele (ND) 47.15, 2. Taylor Langley (NW), 3. Ruby Walters (P); 7. Malia Hyman (NL);

Discus – 1. Anna Trelease (NL) 122-7, 2. Vanessa Sadler (JT), 3. Charlotte Morrissey (ND); 4. Mallory Conner (NW), 8. Hallie Miller (L), 9. McKenna Kirk (NL), 10. Leah Uyvari (L);

Javelin – 1. Isabella Roman (JT) 123-6, 2. Emma Rex (P), 3. Kylie Christman (NW); 4. Hannah Gober (NW), 6. Aubrey Frable (P), 7. Alexandra Diehl (NW), 9. Sam Mack (NL);

High Jump – 1. Ella Schweitzer (ND) 5-1, 2. Julianne Skibinski (ND), 3. Violet Dewalt (ND); 5. Ava Snyder (NW), 7. Julianna Snyder (P), 9. Kamarrah Saslo (P), 10. Kimora Seales-Griffith (JT);

Long Jump – 1. Gianna Martini (PA) 17-7.5, 2. Morgan Balaskas (B), 3. Evelyn Kurlansik (SL); 5. Allison Herrmann (P), 6. Taylor Langley (NW), 9. Sophia Schaffer (NW);

3200 Relay – 1. Notre Dame-GP 9:53.28, 2. Southern Lehigh, 3. Northwestern Lehigh; 6. Jim Thorpe, 8. Lehighton.

EPC CHAMPIONSHIPS

BOYS

Team Standings

1. Parkland 46; 2. Emmaus 38; 3. Stroudsburg 31.5; 4. ES South 22; 5. Northampton 16; 6. Liberty 14; 7. Nazareth 13.5; 8. PM West 13; 8. Easton 13; 10. Pleasant Valley 11; 11. Freedom 4; 11. Whitehall 4; 11. ACC 4; 11. Bethlehem Catholic 4.

Individual Results

(top-3 plus other locals in top-10)

Shot Put – 1. Robert Edwards (E) 55-1, 2. Colin Nonnemacher (E), 3. Aren Quintero (S); 6. Cole Vanderah (PV);

Pole Vault – 1. Samuel Hayes (NA) 13-6, 2. Gavin Bailey (L), 3. Owen Siptroth (S);

Triple Jump – 1. Ian White (S) 45-7, 2. Uriah Gearhart (PV), 3. Brandon Ocain (E);

300 Hurdles – 1. Nmelichukwu Onwuzo (P) 39.60, 2. Elijah Couch (ESS), 3. David Scherb (P);

3200 Relay – 1. Parkland 8:08.85, 2. Emmaus, 3. Liberty; 9. Pleasant Valley;

3200 – 1. Colin McGuigan (P) 9:25.55, 2. Jacob Casey (N), 3. Roen Woolf (E).

GIRLS

Team Standings

1. Emmaus 42; 2. Easton 38; 3. Parkland 36; 4. Liberty 25; 5. ES South 20; 6. Nazareth 16; 7. Dieruff 12; 8. PM West 11; 9. Stroudsburg 6; 9. ACC 6; 11. Northampton 5; 11. Whitehall 5; 11. Pleasant Valley 5.

Individual Results

(top-3 plus other locals in top-10)

Pole Vault – 1. Sophie Braido (EA) 11-6, 2. Samantha Schultz (P), 3. Isabella Manley (ESS); 4. Alexandra DePalma (PV);

Shot Put – 1. Olivia Robinson (ESS) 38-7, 2. Breyanna Sims (PMW), 3. Kayleen Louis (E);

Triple Jump – 1. Claudia Walls (E) 37-0.5, 2. Ava Maigur (EA), 3. Denver Brown (L);

300 Hurdles – 1. Aniya Holder (D) 44.55, 2. Ana Gbur (P), 3. Avalyn Werner (N);

3200 Relay – 1. Easton 9:17.80, 2. Emmaus, 3. Liberty;

3200 – 1. Madelyn McCartney (E) 10:46.47, 2. Katie Drabouski (L), 3. Helaina Acker (N).