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PLYMOUTH — As he keeps kicking past much taller opponents, Jacob Kubusky can’t help but crack a smile.
Because although he may not appear to be the most imposing runner, the Wyoming Valley West standout keeps proving size isn’t a factor when it comes to running the mile.
Kubusky did it again Tuesday, as the resilient sophomore swept the one- and two-mile races to help the Spartans get back on track toward a run at a Wyoming Valley Conference Division 1 title by staving off Pittston Area, 80-70 in a boys track and field meet at Wyoming Valley West High School.
“We’ve been doing pretty well,” said Kubusky, part of a surprising Spartans squad that moved to 2-2 and into a three-way tie for third place in Division 1. “I think we still have a pretty good shot at winning a division title.”
Pittston’s Area’s shot at a league championship on the girls side may be even stronger.
Madison Mimnaugh won the 400-meter dash and teamed on two winning relay teams as the Patriots moved to 4-0 while keeping pace with Dallas at the top of the WVC Division 1 standings by beating Valley West 110-40.
Nina Dellarte won the 100 and 200-meter dashes, Kirsten Durling joined Mimnaugh on the winning 3,200 and 1,600 relay teams, while Sam Mayers won the 800-meter run for the Patriots and ran anchor on the 3,200 relay to continue Pittston Area’s strong start. The Patriots also got a pair of wins in the field from Marley O’Brien, who placed first in the discus and javelin throws.
“We’re a little surprised by it,” said Pittston Area coach Joe Struckus, whose squad graduated two key members of a District 2 championship relay team and had state jumper Olivia Giambra. “A lot of the younger girls have stepped up. It’s been a good transition after losing that talent. It’s Maddie, it’s Sam, it’s Tara (Johnson). Those three girls have been with us for four years. They’ve been able to lead us.”
When it comes to boys distance running, Kubusky is typically in the lead.
That may seem shocking, considering he stands 5-foot-1 and typically competes against runners sometimes standing nearly a foot taller who are blessed with a much longer stride — considered to be more ideal stature for distance running.
“I especially love pictures where I’d be next to a 6-foot tall kid,” Kubusky grinned. “Distance running is more of a mental game. You just have to stay mentally motivated and push yourself to your limits and not give up. The best thing I can say is it’s keeping yourself mentally motivated and not giving in to any type of pain you’re feeling.
“That will overcome anything else in a race.”
He proved his theory once again.
Kubusky won the 3,200 meters for the third time this season, and added a victory in the mile to sweep the sport’s two longest, and most grueling, events. He captured the 1,600 in 5:11 to win by 11 seconds Tuesday, then breezed to an 11:13 finish in the 3,200 to win that event by 22 seconds.
“You know, he’s just got the gift of distance running,” Valley West boys coach Mike Pevear said. “He’s talented, he’s using it to his advantage. Hard-working kid, 100 percent at practice all the time.”
The Spartans also received critical points from Devon Weidman, who won the 100 dash, the long jump and ran on the winning 400 relay team.
That helped Valley West overcome a pair of hurdles wins by Pittston Area’s Colin Tracy as the Spartans surged into third place with three weeks remaining in the regular season.
“We’re just going to focus on the next couple meets coming up,” Pevear said. “And districts are right around the corner. The other teams (ahead of the Spartans), they can lose. Maybe we can pick up some ground and use that as an advantage for us.”
Boys
Meyers 119, Holy Redeemer 31
Raheem Twyman was a four-time winner and Mark Robinson and Josh Schiowitz both won in three events as Meyers moved to 4-0 and jump into first place in the WVC Division 2 ahead of 3-0 Lake-Lehman.
Twyman had little trouble speeding to victory in both the 110 and 300 hurdles and ran on the winning 400 and 1,600 relay teams.
Robinson joined him on the 400 relay and took individual wins in the 100 meter dash and the long jump. Schiowitz added victories in the javelin and pole vault and raced on the 1600 relay as the Mohawks won all but two events.
Aaron Hoda earned both Royals victories, taking the 1,600 and 3,200.
Coughlin 124, Tunkhannock 26
Ron Sepkoski raced to victory in both hurdles events, Franco Balbuena won the 800 and 1,600 and Jacob Khalife took the shot put and discus as the Crusaders remained unbeaten at the top of the WVC Division 1.
Coughlin won every event on the track and all but two field events.
Sepkoski won the 110 hurdles in 16.2 seconds and won the 300 hurdles with a time of 41.9.
Berwick 111, Crestwood 39
Mason Kimbell won the 1,600 and 3,200 run, while Robbie Harter grabbed first in the high jump and pole vault.
Berwick swept the relays in the win.
Girls
Tunkhannock 84, Coughlin 65
Maggie Toczko and Morgan Manglaviti were both double winners as the Tigers pulled out victory.
Toczko took both distance runs, winning the 1,600 and 3,200 races. Manglaviti captured the 100 hurdles and the javelin throw.
Tamar Bourdeau won the 100 and 200 dashes to pace the Crusaders, while Skylar Panattieri finished first in the triple jump and long jump.
Holy Redeemer 115, Meyers 26
Lindsey Williams and Autumn Kaminski each won three times and Alyssa Christian and Caroline Banas were a double winners as the Royals rolled into first place with a 4-0 record in Division 2.
Williams captured the 1,600 and 3,200-meter runs and teamed on the winning 3,200 meter relay. Kaminski took the 100 and 300 hurdles and helped the 1,600 relay to victory.
Banas placed first in the 400 and the high jump, while Christian won the shot put and javelin throws.
Redeemer jumped over 3-0 Lake-Lehman and 2-0 Wyoming Area in the division standings.
Nalasjia Harris-Johnson accomplished three of the four Meyers victories on the day, winning the 100 and 200 meter dashes and the long jump.
Berwick 83, Crestwood 67
Berwick’s Payden Montana grabbed first in the javelin and discus, while Megan Dalo was first in the triple jump and long jump as the Bulldodgs rolled past Crestwood.
Samantha Dyer swept the distance races (1,600 and 3,200) in the win.
Crestwood’s Idelys Reyes was first in the 100 and 200-meter dashes.
Boys
Wyoming Valley West 80, Pittston Area 70
3,200 relay — 1. PA (Fisher, Havrilla, Deboard, Mindzienski) 9:35; 2. WVW. 110 hurdles — 1. PA, Tracy 16.2; 2. PA, Guillaume; 3. PA, Syms. 100 — 1. WVW, Weidman 11.7; 2. PA, Davis; 3. PA, McDonald and PA, Haas. 1,600 — 1. WVW, Kubusky 5:11; 2. PA, Fisher; 3. WVW, Smith. 400 — 1. WVW, Richard 50.8; 2. WVW, Forgash; 3. PA, Mikitish. 400 relay — 1. WVW (Maxwell, Webb, Weidman, Basadona) 45.2. 300 hurdles — 1. PA, Tracy 42.9; 2. PA, Barbieri; 3. PA, Guillaume. 800 — 1. PA, Mlodzienski 2:20.2; 2. WVW, Gaffney; 3. WVW, Rittenhouse. 200 — 1. WVW, Webb 24.4; 2. PA, Woodruff; 3. WVW, Maxwell. 3,200 — 1. WVW, Kubusky 11:13; 2. PA, Fisher; 3. PA, Deboard. 1,600 relay — 1. WVW (Webb, Richard, Forgash, Basadona) 3:41; 2. PA.
High jump — 1. PA, Moska 6-0; 2. PA, Ambrose; 3. WVW, Clarke. Pole vault — 1. WVW, Breton 8-6; 2. PA, Wesnilk; 3. PA, Moska. Long jump — 1. WVW, Weidman 19-10; 2. PA, Ambrose; 3. WVW, Austin. Triple jump — 1. WVW, Clark 39-3; 2. PA, Barbieri; 3. PA, Ambrose. Shot put — 1. WVW, Wozniak 44-7; 2. PA, Mitchell; 3. PA, Lynch. Discus — 1. WVW, Wozniak 124-6; 2. WVW, Chalawich; 3. PA, Coles. Javelin — 1. WVW, Kozick 153-5; 2. PA, Coles; 3. WVW, Canavan.
Meyers 119, Holy Redeemer 31
3,200 relay — 1. Mey (Snyder, Magnot, Wilbourne, Rivera) 9:09; 2. HR. 110 hurdles — 1. Mey, Twyman 14.7; 2. Mey, Dunnell; 3. Mey, Martinez. 100 — 1. Mey, Robinson 12.1; 2. Mey, Biggs; 3. Mey, Martinez. 1,600 — 1. HR, Hoda 4:52; 2. HR, Zapusek; 3. HR, Volpetti. 400 — 1. Mey, Snyder 53.7; 2. HR, Banas; 3. HR, Fahey. 400 relay — 1. Mey (Robinson, Biggs, Dunnell, Twyman) 46.1. 300 hurdles — 1. Mey, Twyman 40.7; 2. HR, Weybrecht; 3. Mey, Wilbourne. 800 — 1. Mey, Rivera 2:04; 2. HR, Capaci; 3. Mey, Magnat. 200 — 1. Mey, Martinez 24.1; 2. Mey, Biggs; 3. HR, Fahey. 3,200 — 1. HR, Hoda 11-0; 2. Mey, Kosloski; 3. HR, Stevens. 1,600 relay — 1. Mey (Twyman, Schiowitz, Hood, Snyder) 3:43.
High jump — 1. Mey, Saunders 5-8; 2. HR, Aiello; 3. Mey, McClair. Pole vault — 1. Mey, Schiowitz 8-6; 2. Mey, Nyguen; 3. Mey, Kwok. Long jump — 1. Mey, Robinson 21-3.75; 2. Mey, McClair; 3. Mey, Hood. Triple jump — 1. Mey, Hood 43-6; 2. Mey, Robinson; 3. HR, Aiello. Shot put — 1. Mey, Murphy 46-9.75; 2. Mey, Brown; 3. Mey, Telesco. Discus — 1. Mey, Telesco 133-9; 2. Mey, Murphy; 3. HR, Brennan. Javelin — 1. Mey, Schiowitz 135-2; 2. Mey, Wallace; 3. Mey, Murphy.
Coughlin 124, Tunkhannock 26
3,200 relay — 1. Cou 9:48. 110 hurdles — 1. Cou, Sepkoski 16.2; 2. Tun, Corbi; 3. Cou, Kozerski. 100 — 1. Cou, Todd 11.7; 2. Cou, Carman; 3. Cou, Austin. 1,600 — 1. Cou, Balbuena 4:59; 2. Cou, Serfoss; 3. Tun, Prebola. 400 — 1. Cou, Austin 56.8; 2. Tun, Bushre; 3. Cou, Brenner. 400 relay — 1. Cou 45.9. 300 hurdles — 1. Cou, Sepkoski 41.9; 2. Cou, Kozerski; 3. Tun, Steele. 800 — 1. Cou, Balbuena 2:14; 2. Cou, Koury; 3. Tun, Sayre. 200 — 1. Cou, Carman 23.6; 2. Cou, Todd; 3. Cou, Ammous. 3,200 — 1. Cou, Serfoss 11:55; 2. Cou, Flores; 3. Tun, Doster. 1,600 relay — 1. Cou 3:53.
High jump — 1. Cou, Kozerski 5-8; 2. Cou, Robinson. Pole vault — 1. Cou, Schwab 11-0; 2. Cou, Cradle; 3. Cou, Popple. Long jump — 1. Tun, Bennett 20-3.50; 2. Cou, Robinson; 3. Cou, Carman. Triple jump — 1. Cou, Horan 42-7.25; 2. Tun, Bennett; 3. Cou, Brown. Shot put — 1. Cou, Khalife 46-2.50; 2. Cou, Krokos; 3. Tun, Kresge. Discus — 1. Cou, Khalife 151-5; 2. Cou, Malenovitch; 3. Tun, Kresge. Javelin — 1. Tun, Kresge 154-5; 2. Cou, Cinti; 3. Cou, Soller.
Berwick 111, Crestwood 39
3,200 relay — 1. BER 9:10; 110 hurdles — 1. Buckhorn (B) 17 2. Le (B) 18.7 3. Tripp (B) 21.9; 100 — 1. Perrone (C) 11.2 2. Klusewitz (C) 11.7 3. Harter (B) 11.8; 1,600 — 1. Kimbell (B) 4:54 2. M. Martin (B) 4:55 3. Kimsal (C) 5:12; 400 — 1. Pruitt (B) 56.4 2. Koch (B) 57.5 3. Andes (C) 57.9; 400 relay — 1. CRE 46.1 ; 300 hurdles — 1. Hoffman (B) 44.1 2. Buckhorn (B) 46.8 3. Le (B) 49.1; 800 — 1. Blass (B) 2:05 2. Le (B) 2:08 3. Klusewitz (C) 2:09; 200 — 1. Andes (C) 25.2 2. Wynn (C) 26 3. Harro (B) 26.2; 3,200 — 1. Kimbell (B) 10:42 2. Martin (B) 10:48 3. Kimsal (C) 10:51; 1,600 relay — 1. BER 3:48.
High jump — 1. Harter (B) 5-10 2. Ryman (C) 5-4 3. Beckhorn (B) 5-2; Pole vault — 1. Harter (B) 13 2. Metzger (C) 10 3. Harro (B) 10; Long jump — 1. Hellenthal (B) 19-2 3-4 2. Jenkins (B) 18-3 3. Malia (C) 17-7 1/2; Triple jump — 1. Klusewitz (C) 40 3/4 2. Jenkins (B) 38-1 3. Zasada (C) 37 10 1/2; Shot put — 1. Harenza (B) 38-2 2. Stvather (B) 36-3 3. Barna (B) 34-5; Discus — 1. Barna (B) 108-5 2. Herenzer (B) 96-11 3. O’Boyle (C) 71-3; Javelin — 1. Johnson (B) 123 2. Barna (B) 122 3. Miller (B) 115-6.
Girls
Pittston Area 110, Wyoming Valley West 40
3,200 relay — 1. PA (Durling, Mimnaugh, Walker, Mayers) 11:03; 2. WVW. 100 hurdles — 1. PA, Tubioli 16.9; 2. PA, Ruby; 3. PA, Maurizi. 100 — 1. WVW, Dellarte 12.8; 2. PA, Singer; 3. PA, Tighe. 1,600 — 1. PA, Boccardi 5:48; 2. WVW, Tsioles; 3. PA, Silinski. 400 — 1. PA, Mimnaugh 64.0; 2. PA, Barbieri; 3. WVW, Sullivan. 400 relay — 1. PA (Smith, Tighe, Chisdock, Singer) 51.8; 2. WVW. 300 hurdles — 1. PA, Ruby 51.2; 2. PA, Tubioli; 3. PA, Maurizi. 800 — 1. PA, Mayers 2:24; 2. WVW, Tsioles; 3. PA, Walker. 200 — 1. WVW, Dellarte 28.3; 2. PA, Tighe; 3. PA, Chisdock. 3,200 — 1. PA, Boccardi 12:35; 2. WVW, Park; 3. PA, Greico. 1,600 relay — 1. PA (Mimnaugh, Barbieri, Tuboli, Durling) 4:39; 2. WVW.
High jump — 1. PA, Sheerer; 2. WVW, Labar; 3. WVW, Costigan. Pole vault — 1. PA, Norwillo 10-0; 2. WVW, Dellarte; 3. PA, Senese. Long jump — 1. PA, Singer 15-8; 2. WVW,Blannard; 3. WVW, Burkhardt. Triple jump — 1. WVW, Blannard 35-11; 2. PA, Sheerer; 3. PA, Scanlon. Shot put — 1. PA, Davis 31-1.50; 2. PA, O’Brien; 3. PA, Nickas. Discus — 1. PA, O’Brien 86-7; 2. PA, Miller; 3. PA, Rubino. Javelin — 1. PA, O’Brien 110-4; 2. WVW, Burkhardt; 3. WVW, Amato.
Holy 115, Meyers 26
3,200 relay — 1. HR (Mullery, Williams, Hohns, Holmes) 12:49. 100 hurdles — 1. HR, Kaminski 19.4. 100 — 1. Mey, Harris-Johnson 12.7; 2. HR, Kaminski; 3. HR, Howard. 1,600 — 1. HR, Williams 6:16; 2. HR, Greer; 3. HR, Morrison. 400 — 1. HR, Banas 65.4; 2. HR, Cavanaugh; 3. Mey, Dorbac. 400 relay — 1. HR (Smith, Ross, Kerestes, Adams) 56.8. 300 hurdles — 1. HR, Kaminski 54.1. 800 — 1. HR, Mullery 23.3; 2. HR, Holmes; 3. HR, Hohns. 200 — 1. Mey, Harris-Johnson 26.5; 2. HR, Cavanaugh; 3. HR, Adams. 3,200 — 1. HR, Williams 12:44; 2. HR, Greer; 3. HR, Morrison. 1,600 relay — 1. HR (Kaminski, Holmes, Mullery, Cavanaugh) 4:34.
High jump — 1. HR, Banas 5-6; 2. HR, Kerestes; 3. HR, Dolan. Pole vault — 1. Mey, Moore 7-0; 2. Mey, Formula. Long jump — 1. Mey, Harris-Johnson 16-0; 2. HR, Kerestes; 3. Mey, Formula. Triple jump — 1. HR, Dolan 31-9; 2. HR, Ornoski; 3. Mey, Formula. Shot put — 1. HR, Christian 32-6.75; 2. HR, Soboleski; 3. HR, Hilenski. Discus — 1. HR, Hilinski 103-1; 2. HR, Tomasura; 3. HR, Soboleski. Javelin — 1. HR, Christian 88-0; 2. HR, Walters; 3. HR, Tomasura.
Tunkhannock 84, Coughlin 65
3,200 relay — 1. Tun 14:26. 100 hurdles — 1. Tun, Manglaviti 18.5; 2. Tun, Heck; 3. Cou, McGrane. 100 — 1. Cou, Bourdeau 13.8; 2. Cou, Berry; 3. Tun, Sholes. 1,600 — 1. Tun, Toczko 55.9; 2. Cou, Fortune; 3. Tun, Schultz. 400 — 1. Tun, Scotti 69.7; 2. Tun, Manglaviti. 400 relay — 1. Cou 52.7. 300 hurdles — 1. Cou, Tona 51.2; 2. Tun, Manglaviti; 3. Cou, McGrane. 800 — 1. Cou, Fortune 2:51; 2. Tun, Grow; 3. Tun, Wells. 200 — 1. Cou, Bourdeau 28.9; 2. Tun, Ross; 3. Tun, Kazmierski. 3,200 — 1. Tun, Toczko 14:59; 2. Tun, Schultz; 3. Tun, Rome. 1,600 relay — 1. Cou 4:32.
High jump — 1. Cou, Berry 4-10; 2. Tun, Melay; 3. Tun, Manglaviti. Pole vault — 1. Cou, Hawkins 11-0; 2. Tun, Karavitch; 3. Cou, Kowalski. Long jump — 1. Cou, Panattieri 16-1.50; 2. Tun, Ross; 3. Cou, Berry. Triple jump — 1. Cou, Panatteiri 32-8.50; 2. Tun, Macko; 3. Tun, Kosmierski. Shot put — 1. Tun, Avery 30-4; 2. Tun, Turner; 3. Tun, Colbenson. Discus — 1. Cou, McCreary 83-11; 2. Tun, Colbenson; 3. Tun, Avery. Javelin — 1. Tun, Manglaviti 115-9; 2. Tun, Colbertson; 3. Tun, Melan.
Berwick 83, Crestwood 67
3,200 relay — 1. CRE 14:21; 110 hurdles — 1. Laubach (B) 17.4 2. Miedaner (B) 18.2 3. Snipas (C) 19.7 ;100 — 1. Reyes (C) 12.8 2. Koshinski (B) 13.1 3. Eckart (B) 13.6; 1,600 — 1. Dyer (B) 5:50 2. Gizenski (B) 6:40 3. Bilski (C) 6:58; 400 — 1. Paranich (C) 64.9 2. Hines (C) 72.3 3. Follmer (C) 73.8; 400 relay — 1. CRE 52.02; 300 hurdles — 1. Laubach (B) 54.4 2. Snipas (C) 56.4 3. Miedaner (B) 57.4; 800 — 1. Gizenski (B) 2:52 2. Paranich (C) 2:59 3. Shermanski (C) 3:01; 200 — 1. Reyes (C) 27.6 2. Herrera (C) 28.1 3. Katulka (C) 28.8; 3,200 — 1. Dyer (B) 13:09 2. Belisle (C) 15:18 3. Post (C) 16.45; 1,600 relay — 1. BER 4:34.
High jump — 1. Thomas (C) 4-10 2. Owens (B) 4-8 3. Shipton/Follmer (C) 4-6; Pole vault — 1. Koshinski (B) 9-6 2. Shipton (C) 9 3.Owens (B) 7-6; Long jump — 1. Dalo (B) 15-8 1/2 2. Thomas (C) 14-8 3. Shipton (C) 13-7 3/4 ; Triple jump — 1. Dalo (B) 32 11 3/4 2. Belles (B) 31-3 3. Termini (C) 29 4 1/4; Shot put — 1. Montana (B) 40-5 2. Muse (C) 30-7 3. Ouimet (B) 26-9; Discus — 1. Montana (B) 108-2 2. Cara (C) 79-9 3. Tore (B) 78-7; Javelin — 1. Montana (B) 96-4 2. Betz (B) 86-9 3. Margalis (C) 84-5.
