Whitehall displayed its versatility last week, garnering medals in the sprints, jumps, throws, relays, and middle distances at the EPC/CL Track and Field Championships.

That’s been one of their strong points this season, leading to winning records for both the boys and girls, and that same versatility was on display at the league championships. The boys wound up fifth, netting 58.5 points, while the girls finished seventh with 46 points.

It was another strong showing for the Zephs at their home field which hosted the dual league championships again this year.

The sprints are where super soph Amanda Crooks shines. She took second in the 100 meters, finishing in 12.17. She was also third in the 200 meters with a 25.74 mark. It’s the second year in a row Crooks has finished second in the 100. And both times Liberty’s Jaylyn Aminu stood in her way for the gold.

Crooks will have another shot at Aminu at this week’s district championships which will be held at Whitehall.

Crooks was also part of the 4x100 team who took second. The foursome of Taylor George, Crooks, Ivanna Jones and Kylee Cunningham finished in 49.73.

Head coach James Sebesta said that they’re closing in on the school record, and they’ll get at least one more shot when they hit the track this week for the district championships.

Sebesta said that their race was highlighted by some crisp hand-offs, something they’ll need if they’re to overcome Liberty.

George said that to take down the ’Canes they’ll need perfect hand-offs and everyone on the same page. With Kylee Cunningham running the anchor leg, she knows she’ll probably be looking to track down the Liberty’s anchor down the stretch.

“You just run your fastest and try and catch her,” said Cunningham.

Crooks had a busy championship, running in both sprints as well as the 4x100 and 4x400 relays. In the 400, the team of Anna Gallina, Kassidy Cunningham, Kylee Cunningham and Crooks were within a whisker of second place, losing to Stroudsburg by 3/100 of a second. They crossed in 4:09.68, while the Mounties crossed in 4:09.65.

Gallina said they wanted to build off their strong showing at the ASD meet, and they accomplished that with the third-place finish.

The girls also got to the podium in the javelin as Logan Miller heaved the spear 112-01 which put her in fourth place.

Jones continued to collect hardware in her final track season. The senior took home third in the high jump, clearing the bar at 5-1.

Vanessa Hadeed was sixth in the discus with a 98-10 mark, while Kassidy Cunningham was eighth in the 800, finishing in 2:24.53. Additionally, Madelyn Mertz was ninth in the 300 hurdles, clocking in at 50.41.

The boys produced the lone gold for the Zephyrs. Calvin Schneck won the 800 in 1:55.65, setting the school record with that mark.

They also got medals in the throws as Jackson Buskirk was third in the javelin with a 155-10 mark. For someone who is new to the sport, Buskirk has shown remarkable aptitude.

“We have a good coach, he just started this year and he came from Blue Mountain [coach Adam Konsavage], and he taught me everything I did this year,” said Buskirk.

Buskirk, who has consistently been among the top three finishers all year, said that he applied what he learned and had success with it. Now he’ll look to extend that streak at districts.

Tyler Meyers continued his strong showing in the discus this season. He finished third with a 145-08 mark.

Also medaling was Javaughn Hussett who was fourth in the high jump. Hussett cleared 5-11. Charles Hudson also cleared 5-11, but finished in fifth on attempts.

Jahrod Amoroso was fourth in the 110 hurdles, hitting the tape in 15.67. Amoroso has been a top finisher all season and he continued that trend in the league championships.

The tandem of Elliot Miller and Gavin Wood both cleared 12-3 in the pole vault. Miller was able to capture fourth place on attempts, earning another medal for the Zephs.

Whitehall’s 4x800 team wound up second, with the foursome of Schneck, Andrew Hawk, Miller and Caleb Staub finishing in 8:18.61.

Hawk was sixth in the 800, crossing the line in 2:02.70. Sebesta said that Hawk’s best time in the race for his career.

Phil Reeves also had a personal best in the shot put at 44-10.25. That throw earned him sixth place and it was a foot farther than he’s thrown all season, said Sebesta.

Sebesta said that once again a lot of athletes rose to the occasion, many establishing personal bests at the event.

“I was really happy with how they competed,” said Sebesta. “They gave a good effort.”

In a feel-good moment, the Coplay Comet, Saquon Barkley, presented Saucon Valley’s Rachel Panek with her gold medal for winning the 100 hurdles. Last year Barkley gave Panek his gold medal for winning the 100 after she clipped a hurdle and finished last. She initially won the race, but a timing malfunction forced the race to be run again. Bradley saw the injustice and corrected it, an unselfish act that resonated both locally and around the state.

Finally, Sebesta said that the entire track team assisted with the successful running of the championships. They were raking the pits, circulating times, collecting numbers from the runners, clearing the track of hurdles, and a host of other things to help it run smoothly.

“They all did a great job,” said Sebesta. “We had a lot of compliments.”