BRADFORD, PA – Setting their sights on a repeat District 9 Class 3A championship, the Bradford boys track and field team enter their new campaign restocked, having 17 returning lettermen rejoining the ranks.
At the helm of the Owls is legendary coach Tom Tessena. Listed on his 54-year coaching resume is 26 D9 titles and 561 wins counting both dual and district finishes.
“I have always been fortunate to have great athletes and even greater assistant coaches,” said Tessena. “It has always been a team effort.”
In the team of 50 athletes, Bradford welcomes 18 freshman, 17 sophomores and 14 juniors as well as three returning senior leaders. Despite the light numbers at the top, Bradford’s seasoned veterans are sure to carry the torch.
Brayden Frair has been the Owls’ top scorer for the last three years, holding two school records to his credit – 3200 meter record (9:37.23) and the 2000 meter steeplechase (6:31.13). Frair has 11 D9 medals including eight first places and one second place. He has also scored 464 points in his first three seasons. Alongside Frair, Joe Caruso and Joe Cary are working on their fourth letter as well.
Caruso is an all-purpose runner. He ran at states last year on that 4x800M relay and also was third in the 3200M and fourth in the 1600M at Districts. Last year, Cary overcame a serious injury and got a late start but still managed to place fourth in the javelin and fifth in the discus at Districts.
Bradford also has a healthy, battle-tested class of juniors looking to make an impact again. Last year, this class contributed 515 points with Logan Kohler becoming the Owls’ third leading scorer as a sophomore. Kohler placed second in both the 110M high hurdles and the 300M intermediate hurdles. He also placed fifth in the 200M and took part in the 4X100M relay team.
“Kohler has been looking very good this season and has set some very high goals for this year,” said Tessena.
Danny Marasco returns with an impressive resume which included a first place finish in the triple jump at districts, as well as second in the 4x400M relay, third in the long jump and fourth in the 400M. Andrew Giordano returns as the Owls’ top thrower from last year where he won the javelin, placed third in the discus and fourth in the shot put. Marcus Terwilliger returns in all the jumps and 300M Intermediate hurdles. He placed sixth in the long and triple jumps and also the 300M Hurdles while Enzo Aiellio placed second in the pole vault at Districts last year. Fabian Sherk (triple jump, high jump, 4x100M relay, 100 M), Jeremiah Long (javelin, 4X100M relay, shot put) and Matt DeCasper (sprints, relays) also rejoin the Owls as key contributors this season.
Bradford will begin their season this Saturday with the first of five regular season invitationals, theAltoona Igloo Invitational, where they will begin their defense of their spot atop Class 3A. They will also have six dual meets throughout the season, facing St. Marys, Kane, Brookville, DuBois, Elk County Catholic and Punxsutawney.
“Being the District 9 champions last year puts us on everyone’s target list so we have to be ready for everyone’s best effort,” said Tessena. “The first meet will give us a chance to see where we are fitness-wise. We have a lot of veterans but are still very young. It should be a very interesting season.”
Season Schedule
Saturday, Mar. 29 at Altoona Igloo Invitational, 10:00 a.m.
Tuesday, April 1 at St. Marys, 4:00 p.m.
Saturday, April 5 at South Hills Classic, Pittsburgh, 10:00 a.m.
Tuesday, April 8 at Kane, 4:00 p.m.
Saturday, April 12 at Brookville Invitational, 9:30 a.m.
Tuesday, April 15 Brookville, 4:00 p.m.
Thursday, April 17 at Butler Invitational, TBA
Tuesday, April 22 at DuBois, 4:00 p.m.
Friday, April 25 at McDowell Invitational, 2:00 p.m.
Tuesday, April 29 Elk County Catholic (Senior Night) 4:00 p.m.
Tuesday, May 6 at Punxsutawney, 4:00 p.m.
Friday, May16 District 9 AAA Championship at Brookville 1:00 p.m.
Friday and Saturday, May 22 and 23 PIAA State Championship Meet Shippensburg, PA, TBA
