Lakeland/Panas had numerous athletes excel at the state qualifiers Feb. 27 at the Armory Track and Field Center in New York City despite a nearly week-long postponement and multiple snow days that limited practice time.
Senior Gianni Simpson led the Rebel boys, finishing eighth in the 300-meter run (36.25 seconds) and fifth in the long jump with a personal best of 22 feet. Senior Dylan Young placed eighth in the pole vault (10 feet).
Juniors Steve Sandoval and Billy Pike finished 15th in the weight throw (39.75 feet) and the 3,200-meter run (10:19.60), respectively. Senior Nischal Grabe placed 16th in the 1,000-meter run (2:44.72), and junior Giordano Simpson finished eighth in the 600-meter run (1:29.12). Sophomore Ian Mejia was 20th in the 1,000-meter run (2:50.06).
For the Rebel girls, junior Naomi Edwards finished 11th in the weight throw (33.45 feet), while sophomore Eden Picardi placed 13th in the 1,500-meter racewalk (9:58.20). Junior Margaret Keating was 15th in the 3,000-meter run (11:38.64), and sophomore Aaliyah Thomas finished 10th in the 600-meter run (1:44.24).
Junior Maleyah Nieves placed 15th in the 55-meter hurdles (10.46), and sophomore Jaelynn Chelly finished eighth in the 300-meter run (43.02).
“Despite having a small group attend the state qualifiers, we had a good day,” Lakeland/Panas coach John Benvin said.
He told Yorktown News that the snowstorms and snow days left the athletes with less time to practice.
“Throw in an early school-day meet and the athletes really grinded out there to do well,” he said. “We had some nice marks and finishes given the situation.
“Had this meet been held a week ago with no postponements I think we would have done better but that is something we cannot control [the weather]. So given what we can control we did well and I’m happy with the results,” Benvin continued. “We have a few athletes going to nationals but otherwise this meet closes the winter 2025-26 chapter and we’re looking forward to the outdoor spring season that’s about to start up.”
Yorktown also had strong performances at the state qualifiers. The girls 4x800-meter relay of Grace McCann, Anna Dudek, Mary Cabral and Ansley Edelmann finished seventh in Division 1 (11:02.85), while Isabelle Ngambo (long jump, 10th, 15.71 feet) and Josefina Alickaj (1,500-meter racewalk, 21st, 10:32.21) stood out individually.
Xavier Guzman finished 19th in the 300-meter dash (38.01) for the Husker boys squad.
“They performed well considering the circumstances that led up to the meet,” Yorktown coach Keith Smith said. “Because of snow and school cancellations, they didn’t get to practice for almost a week. But they got up for the meet and finished a season that they could all be proud of.”
Comments
No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here