Once all but one event had been run at Freedom’s track and field meet against Nazareth last Thursday, a group of Patriots gathered at the pole vault competition to cheer on teammate Ryan Smizaski, one of two men left standing along with the Blue Eagles’ Colin Finkbiner.

“I love to beat the other kid, but it’s more like focusing on myself, trying to do my best and my part for the team,” said Smizaski, who clinched first place with a new P.R. of 11-09.00 at Freedom.

“Last week, I went in with a good mentality and then I didn’t make it over anything. I no-heighted so it was kind of a bummer, but then I was working in practice, and we got on some bigger poles. I moved back my step and it just felt good.”

Smizaski almost cleared 12-00.00 on his third attempt, signifying new heights for the Patriot senior.

“It definitely could. It’s new heights. I’m going to move on to bigger poles, and try and get higher,” Smizaski said.

Other top Patriot performers against the Blue Eagles included Vince Reph and Sebastian Gibbs, who had times of 11.6 and 11.8, respectively, in the 100.

Thawadah Rock won the 200 in 23.6, and Gabriel Caton won the 400 in 52.7.

Rock also took first place in the 110 hurdles in 16.2.

Caton, AJ Fletcher, Luke McClure, and Matty Russin won the 4x4 relay in 3:49.0.

Isabella Estojak was first in the 100 hurdles in 19.1, and Shannon Connelly placed first in the 300 hurdles in 52.1. Sydney Brown placed second and Madison Fey was third.

Fey won the pole vault with a jump of 8-00.00, and Cailin Connelly was second with a jump of 7-06.00.

Kilia Ramos took second place in the shot put, Isabel Rodriguez was second in the discus, and Jewel Levy came in second in the javelin.

In team scores, Nazareth’s girls defeated Freedom, 102-48, and Nazareth’s boys also won, 101-49.