In his four years of high school track and cross country, Salisbury senior Gregory Tenzer had never won a medal.

As he entered last week’s Colonial League Track and Field Championships at Whitehall High School as the sixth seed in his main event, the 800-meter run, he wasn’t quite sure if he’d ever secure that elusive piece of hardware.

That all changed with one race.

Tenzer used a strong final 100 meters to secure second place in the 800-meter run in 2:04.69, setting a new personal best time in the process by almost three seconds.

“Well I’ve never gotten a medal before, and going into the race I didn’t think I’d be able to get a medal,” Tenzer said. “But I really surprised myself and glad I was able to do it.

“At the end of my first lap I was fifth or so. I was able to pass a couple of people. I passed two people in the last 100 meters, and it was because of my kick. I was really happy with that.”

Emma Yakaitis earned some hardware for the Salisbury girls’ side as well.

The Falcon junior placed third in the 300-meter hurdles and set a new personal best time of 46.81 seconds.

“It was really good,” Yakaitis said. “I feel really good about it. Getting into the 40s was one of my biggest goals this season and I got it. Then I’m still working on breaking the school record. I’m about half-a-second away.”

In just her second year running the hurdles, Yakaitis’ journey thus far has included some learning opportunities.

“I worked on my steps in between the hurdles,” Yakaitis said. “My coach helped a lot working on the curves and everything, and coming down the last 100.

“Usually I don’t know where I am until the last 100. I pace myself at the beginning, and then when I see people catching up I’ll sprint the last 100.”

Yakaitis has already dropped her time by about four seconds this season so far. This week’s district meet will provide her with another opportunity to improve on her personal best time, and potentially make history as well.

“It felt amazing being up on the podium,” Yakaitis said. “It was really nice. My goal is to break the school record and get first place [at districts].”

Yakaitis also competed in the 4x100 meter relay for a Falcons team that placed sixth.

Kendra Morgan was the other Falcon who placed in the top 10 of their individual events, taking sixth in 200-meter dash and ninth in 100-meter dash, respectively. All three Falcon boys relay teams placed in the top 10, led by the 4x800 foursome which came in sixth.