Vanessa Hadeed stood at the back of the circle, knees bent, waiting for the right moment to uncoil her body to set the discus in flight.

It was her third attempt against Nazareth and she was trying to cement her lead. As the discus sailed through the air, she had a feeling she may have unleashed a good throw. She waited a moment to watch the tape measure stretch out before retrieving the disc. The call from the official was 99-11. Not only did she win the event, but she established a personal record as well.

Over the years she’s repeated that motion hundreds of times. While some competitors throw strictly with their upper bodies, Hadeed has incorporated her lower half into her throws and that’s allowed her to place in every dual meet so far this season.

“A lot of it is using the legs because more power comes from your legs than just muscling it,” said Hadeed who also competes in the shot put. “It’s pretty much like a full body motion instead of just using your arms.”

Hadeed believes that’s the most effective way to throw the discus and the results bear it out. She has placed first seven times this season against Eastern Pennsylvania Conference opponents.

Hadeed concentrates on replicating her motion every time she steps into the circle.

“I think that’s the easiest way to stay consistent and really get the disc out there,” said Hadeed. “A lot of its your hand placement and keeping your hand flat and just being quick in the circle.”

Hadeed was part of a girls team that narrowly lost to the Blue Eagles. They fell 76-74. Head coach James Sebesta said that they’ve now lost a combined three meets by a total of eight points.

“They did well,” he said.

They were once again solid against the Blue Eagles, capturing points in all but one event.

They swept the pole vault as Elizabeth Rosario (7-6), Amber Myers (7-0) and Savanah Rivera (7-0), came in first, second and third, respectively.

In the sprints, Amanda Crooks was once again a multiple winner. She won the 100 in 11.94 and the 200 in 25.34. Her 100 time was singled out by a national track and field website as being an elite mark.

Kylee Cunningham was second in the 100 at 12.94, while Rebecca Ganthier was third in the 200 at 27.54.

The 4x100 relay team nearly made history. Sebesta said that they came within 3/10 of a second of tying the record. Kylee Cunningham, Ivanna Jones, Taylor George and Angel Bacon crossed the line in 49.67. The record is 49.37 set in 2010.

They weren’t the only ones nearly establishing a school record. The boys 4x100 relay team came close to the school mark. They finished in 44.14, less than a second off the mark.

Ivanna Jones was another multiple winner. The senior was first in the high jump at 5-1, and tops in the long jump at 16-10.50.

Haley Arner and Logan Miller finished first and second, respectively, in the javelin, with Arner winning with a 92-05 toss.

Jill Kreglow was second in both the high hurdles and high jump, while Anna Gallina was second in the 400, Rachel Herr was second in the 3200 and Madelyn Mertz was second in the 300 hurdles. Additionally, Herr finished third in the 1600.

Sebesta said that Kassidy Cunningham established a personal best in the 800. She crossed second in 2:24.

He said it was a day of personal bests for the Zephs who took advantage of the fast track on a clear spring day.

Andrew Hawk was one of those runners. He won the 800 in 2:05.90, setting his mark. Hawk was also part of winning 4x800 relay team that also featured Calvin Schneck, Elliot Miller and Caleb Staub. Those four won in 9:13.1.

While Hawk and some of the other boys sets personal bests, they fell to the Eagles 85-65.

Sebesta said they did better than he anticipated, staying strong in the throws and jumps again.

Schneck was again a multiple winner. He also won the 1600 in 4:56.30. He also finished second in the 400 meters.

Gavin Wood also set a personal best in the pole vault, clearing 12-3. He came in second in the event, losing on attempts, while Elliot Miller was third at 11-9.

Also coming in first was Jackson Buskirk in the javelin with a 156-06, Justin Maicks was second with a 143-02.

Jahrod Amoroso was tops in the 300 hurdles, finishing in 42.44, and came in second in the 100 hurdles at 16.04.

Tylers Meyers won the discus for the Zephs with a 144-06 mark, while Phil Reeves came in second in the shot with a 41-08 throw.

Javaughn Hussett and Ryan Klaugh were second and third, respectively, in the high jump, while Caleb Staub and Daniel Jablonski duplicated that finish in the 3200.

Brandon Jones was second in the 200 meters, finishing in 23.94.

The Zephs have their last meet against Parkland next week, a home affair which will close out their regular season.