Baldwin’s Bristow a triple-medalist at Tri-State meet

By: HSSN Staff
Friday, April 20, 2018 | 4:53 PM

Baldwin's Laurel Bristow launched herself into the limelight once again at the Tri-State Track Coaches Association invitational April 14 at West Mifflin.

Bristow, a senior, uncorked a throw of 140 feet, 11 inches to win the girls javelin at the outdoor track and field meet. It was one of the best performances in the state this season.

Additionally, she placed second in shot put with a heave of 40-5, and fifth in the discus with a toss of 109-10.

Bristow, who also won the javelin at last year's Tri-State meet, is a two-time PIAA qualifier. She advanced to states in the javelin as a freshman and in the shot put as a junior.

The Baldwin track and field program ended up with medalists in 16 events at the season-opening invitational.

“Mother Nature smiled on the track and field athletes at West Mifflin, and the performances reflected the weather,” Baldwin coach Ed Helbig said. “It may have been the first opportunity the athletes had to compete without wearing sweatsuits and gloves. Regardless, the competition was very good in all of the events.

“Hopefully, Mother Nature will continue to smile on us. But this is Western Pennsylvania, and I may have spoken too soon. Eventually, we will get warmer weather. I just hope that weather arrives before June.”

Baldwin junior Brendan O'Malley was a triple-medalist in the boys competition at West Mifflin.

The versatile O'Malley reeled in second place in the 400 (51.25 seconds) and long jump (21-6 ¹⁄₂), and finished fifth in the 200 (22.62).

Bailey O'Malley, also a junior and Brendan's twin brother, was the runner-up in the shot put with a toss of 46-3 ¹⁄₂.

Senior Nick Lachut captured third in the pole vault, clearing 13-9. Lachut is the defending WPIAL pole vault champion in Class AAA.

Also in the boys results, Baldwin medalists consisted of seniors Sedrick Reddick, sixth in the triple jump (40-10 ¹⁄₄); Angelo Priore, seventh in the 100 (11.23), and Robert Hoffman, seventh in the javelin (136-5).

The Highlanders' 400 relay team placed fourth in 44.5 behind the efforts of Priore, Hoffman, senior Jeremy Jenkins and freshman Jerran Kelly.

For Baldwin's girls team, three other medalists were junior Macy Hale, third in the 800 (2:25.07); and sophomores Mia Fischetti and Hanna Stock, who ended up seventh and eighth, respectively, in the pole vault by clearing 8 feet.

The girls 3,200 relay team of Hale, junior Devon Schroeder, sophomore Makenzie Shandor and freshman Alexis Kennard, finished sixth in 10:41.52.

“When we talk to the team about invitationals, we tell them we want to see how they compete and to use these events to see where they stand overall against the other athletes from other schools,” said Helbig, who served as meet director. “We never approach an invitational with the goal of winning it or are even worried about the team score. The athletes' performance is the No. 1 concern and what we focus on during practice.

“Besides, when you're in charge of a meet, you and your entire staff are working, and most of the time you are totally unaware of the team score. I had no idea how the teams did until I printed up the final scores to hand out the team trophies.”

Other competitors for Baldwin's girls team at the invitational included sophomore Victoria Tamborino (100, 300 hurdles), Fischetti (200), freshmen Alexis Kennard (400) and Gina Bolla (800), Hale (1,600), senior Emily Yosi (1,600), Shandor (3,200), Schroeder (3,200), junior Vanessa Taylor (triple jump), sophomore Emma Brandwere (shot put), plus freshmen Elizabeth Knight (discus) and Courtney Chapel (javelin).

The boys team also was represented by Jenkins (100), senior Elijah Currie (400), juniors John Ziegler (800) and Caden Harsh (800, 1,600), sophomore Ted Boehm (1,600), seniors Kevin Sheehan (3,200) and Eli Geary (pole vault), Hoffman (long jump) and junior Noah Bartic (shot put).

Ray Fisher is a freelance writer.

Tags: Baldwin