Believe it or not, 13 has proved to be a lucky number for the Whitehall girls track team.

That number was significant since it represented the number of years Liberty High School has defeated them in league competition. However, that 13-year drought was snapped last week during a tri-meet held on Dieruff's home turf, J. Birney Crum Stadium.

The Zephs whipped the 'Canes 84.5 to 65.5, and then followed that with a 107-43 win over the Huskies.

Those two wins raised the girls record to 4-2.

The boys also were able to snare two wins, downing the 'Canes 93.5 to 56.5, and then dropped Dieruff 107-41. The boys record now stands at 5-1.

Head coach Jim Sebesta said that the girls victory stemmed from an overall team effort, paving the way for the big win. He said they managed to get points in every event, a key factor when locking horns with the likes of Liberty.

"Everybody performed really well," he said.

That streak began with the sprints as Decontee Krayee won the 100 in 12.7, while Kourtney Cunningham finished third. It continued in the 200 as Krayee came in second (26.7).

Those finishes reflected times posted against both the 'Canes and Huskies, with points awarded adjusted for each event.

In the 400, the Zephs finished 2-3 as Anna Gallina crossed the line in 1:05.3, while Iman Azim was next at 1:06.3.

They continued to rack up points in the middle distances as Angela Stella won then 800 (2:26.1), followed by Alexandra Dorna.

In the mile, Emily Brand was second, finishing in 5:45, while Brand (12.57) and Heather Bush (13:12) finished second and third, respectively in the two mile.

Sebesta said that Brand and Bush are two athletes who consistently get needed points for them in the distance races. They both appear among the top three in almost every race, and that's led to points when they really need them, said Sebesta,

He also said that Bush is constantly improving, a runner who held off the field and persevered to capture the point in the 3,200.

"She's really running tough," said Sebesta.

In the 300 hurdles, Alyssa Holland came in second, hitting the tape in 51.3. He said that Holland is another runner who has emerged as a top-three finisher, consistently garnering points in the hurdles.

The Zephs swept the relay races, another reason they were able to secure a win, said Sebesta. Kourtney Cunningham, Kylee Cunningham, Krayee and Ivana Jones won the 4x100 in 50.5. They also won the 4x400 and the 4x800, with Dorner, Stella, Abigail Woodring and Hannah Gil leading the way in 800 relay, crossing the line in 11:31.4.

The high jump saw Jones (4-9) and Kreglow (4-7) nail down second and third, while Jones (16-7) and Jenny Davis (15-10) finished second and third in the long jump. The triple jump was won by Jones (35-04), while Taylor Hamscher (31-07) captured third for the Zephs.

Sebesta said that Jones has been steady all season, consistently picking up points in the jumps and relays. She has become one of the leading point providers throughout the season. Additionally, Holland has given them a boost in the hurdles, an area that didn't provide many points last year.

In the throws, Natalie Saraceni was third in the discus with a 76-02 mark.

The boys got on board with Jarad Mittl finishing second in the 400 among the three teams competing, breaking the tape in 23.7.

In the 400, J.C. Falcon led the pack with a 51.9 finish, while Kurt Koehler came in second at 53.9.

The 800 was won by Brian Plucinsky (2:01.2), while Andrew Frisch was second in 2:02.6.

In the mile, the tandem of Gabe Lamm and Calvin Schneck once again proved to be dynamic. They finished first and second, respectively as Lamm took the tape in 4:38, while Schneck crossed in 4:39. Lamm also won the 3,200, finishing the two mile race in 10:30.

Sebesta said that Lamm and Schneck have been integral parts of the team, two distance runners who are among the top three in the valley this season. He said their times have placed them among the best in the league.

"They did really well in that meet," said Sebesta. "They've been doing that all year."

Additionally, Plucinsky gives them a powerful force in the middle distances, helping the Zephs maintain a strong presence in those races.

In the 110 hurdles, Kyleem Harrison was first in 15.4, while Julio Giraldo came in second at 18.5. Giraldo also finished third in the 300, crossing the line in 45.7.

Sebesta said it was a good to see those results from Giraldo, as they got some unexpected points in those races, a tribute to his determination.

The boys were able to win two relays, the 4x400 and 4x800, with the 800 team of Frisch, Andrew Hawk, Brian Plucinsky and J.C. Falcon finishing in 9:20.1.

Falcon won his third event, topping the field in the high jump with a 6-3 leap. Isaiah Cary was second at 5-11.

In the long jump, Zack Hixson finished second (19-3), while Isaiah was first in the triple jump with a 41-0 mark. Harrison finished second in the same event, leaping 40-06.

In the throws, Jake Kerchner was third in the shot put with a 39-10 toss, while Nick Nejad finished third in the discus with a 102-02 heave.

In the javelin, Nejad once again claimed the top slot with a 170-04 mark.

As with the girls, the boys showed consistency in every event, allowing them to leave J. Birney Crum with two wins.

"They just were solid across the board," said Sebesta.