NTL TRACK & FIELD: WYALUSING'S HALEY EARNS STATE BERTH IN 400 (2022-05-21)

BY CHRIS MANNING
Northern Tier Sports Report
WILLIAMSPORT — Wyalusing’s Olivia Haley just started running the open 400 a couple weeks ago, but she took to it quickly, and will now be running the quarter mile at states after qualifying in the event at the District IV, Class AA Track and Field Championships Saturday.

Haley (59.51) was third in the 400, and just under the state standard of 59.85.

“I’m really excited,” said Haley. “I really wasn’t expecting it, so being able to make it is really the best feeling.”

She just missed making states in the 100, less than .2 off with her fourth place time of 12.99. Haley also ran the anchor of the 4x100 relay, an event before the 400.

“In between my 4x1 and 400 I rested more,” she said. “I made sure I did that because in recent meets I think the 4x1 took a little toll on me, so I just made sure I rested and worked on my fundamental stuff.”

She ran in lane three on the inside, and used that last turn to her advantage as she passed a few runners on the outside to move into the top three.

“I just thought to myself that I have to try and catch them,” said Haley. “I just tried to gut it out in the end.”

As for states, she’s going to work on finishing even stronger.

“I’m definitely going to try and build my endurance,” said Haley. “Especially in the last 100, I die out, so I’ll try to build my endurance so I can cover as much ground as I can.”

Haley also got on the podium in the 200, taking seventh in 26.78.

Also for the girls, Kayla Beebe medaled in the 1600, finishing seventh in 5:34.77, while Hannah Ely tied for eighth in the high jump at 4-feet, 10-inches.

The girls’ 4x100 relay of Kassandra Kerin, Ely, Layla Botts, and Haley took ninth in 52.35. Kerin (1:07.7) was 20th in the 400, Savannah McCracken (4-feet, 6-inches) and Mia Wilcox (4-feet, 6-inches) were 17th and 20th in the high jump, while Emilee Otis (84-feet, 11-inches) took 19th in the javelin.

On the boys’ side Grady Cobb had a career best day, jumping 6-feet, 1-inch, but it wasn’t enough to return to states, as he finished fifth overall. Twice he nearly cleared the state standard of 6-feet, 3-inches, but clipped the bar with his back foot both times. Ethan Lewis (5-feet, 7-inches) was 12th.’

The boys’ 4x100 relay of Brian Arnold, Joey Gonsauls, Oswald, and Kashawn Cameron got on the podium, taking seventh in 45.91.

Nolan Oswald (36-feet, 3 3/4-inches) was 21st in the triple jump, while Lewis (36-feet, 3 1/4-inches) came in 22nd. 

Trennan Tewksbury (11:17.32) was 16th in the 3200, with Brody Fuhrey (2:14.71) 22nd in the 800. Jacob Palfreyman (109-feet, 6-inches) came in 17th in the discus.

PHOTO CAPTION: Wyalusing’s Olivia Haley runs in the 400…PHOTOS BY CHRIS MANNING