WINDSOR, N.Y. — The Gerry O'Donnell Invitational brought together 14 of Section 4's finest outdoor track teams at Windsor Central High School, and when the dust settled, Maine-Endwell and Oneonta emerged as the squads to beat. In both the boys' and girls' competitions, these two powerhouses claimed the top two spots, setting the stage for what promises to be an electrifying season ahead.
Maine-Endwell's girls' team dominated the leaderboard with 108 points, while Oneonta followed closely with 97.50. Chenango Valley rounded out the top three with 70 points, proving that the competition is fierce across the board. The full team standings read: Maine-Endwell 108, Oneonta 97.50, Chenango Valley 70, Chenango Forks 51, Owego 50, Delhi 43, Whitney Point 34, Marathon 27, Johnson City 26, Susquehanna Valley 19, Stamford 4, Windsor Central 2.50, and Deposit-Hancock 2.
All eyes were on the individual performances, and several athletes delivered standout showings. Madeline VanPatten of Maine-Endwell, who holds the current discus record, lived up to the hype by winning both the shot put (30-5.25) and the disc throw (115-1). Meanwhile, Oneonta's Cassidy Howard, a record-holder in the 100m and 200m sprints, blazed through the 100-meter dash in 12.40 seconds and the 200-meter dash in 25.02, proving she's a force to be reckoned with on the track.
Other notable performances included Chenango Valley's Molly Walters taking the 100-meter hurdles in 16.27 seconds, and Owego's Stella Palladino dominating the 400-meter dash with a time of 59.09. In the distance events, Chenango Forks' Arianna Hepler showed her versatility by winning both the 1500m (5:04.16) and the 800m (2:33.78). The field events also saw impressive leaps, with Marathon's Abigail Trabucco clearing 7-0 in the pole vault and Chenango Valley's Delaney Walters soaring to 5-4 in the high jump.
Relay teams added to the excitement, with Oneonta's 4x100 squad—featuring Kaylee Ferrara, Edyn Aiyemo, Keiyra Morton, and Cassidy Howard—crossing in 51.30 seconds. Owego's 4x400 team of Stella Palladino, Sarah Heath, Nola Rosenberger, and Abigail McHugh also turned heads with a time of 4:55.43.
Whether you're a seasoned track fan or just getting into the sport, these results are a reminder that hard work and dedication pay off. For athletes looking to elevate their game, having the right gear—from high-performance spikes to breathable training apparel—can make all the difference. Stay tuned for more updates from Section 4's outdoor track season!