Padua Academy Girls Claim 10th Straight State Championship

By Mary Albl of DyeStat

The Padua Academy girls track team picked up right where it left off. After a year’s absence due to the pandemic pausing spring sports, Padua rolled to the program's 10th straight state title, winning the Division I  Delaware State Outdoor Track and Field Championship at Dover High, held May 21-22.  

The team, wearing T-shirts in honor of recently deceased coach Lee Kaufman, put on a dominating effort, scoring 186 points. Erin Kelleher led the way for the Pandas as she reset her own state record, clearing 13-2 in the pole vault, a top 25 mark currently in the country. 

Teammate Jia Anderson won her third straight 100 hurdles crown (14.63), finished fourth in the long jump (17-0) and was part of the winning 4x100 (49.51). Junior Mary Katherine Dorsey won the 3,200 (11:37.60), 1,600 (5:21.52) and was third in the 800 (2:23.29). 

Salesianum’s Ryan Banko helped his team defend their Division I title from 2019 as he won the 3,200 in a  division-record time of 9:26.06. He added a gold in the 1,600 (4:22.42) as well. 

Salesiamum did most of its damage in the sprints. Junior Michael Portale won the 100 (10.91), placed second in the 200 (22.25), as Salesianum picked up a total of 18 points in the 200. Portale was also part of the winning 4x400 (3:25.87) and 4x100 (43.51). The team claimed the 4x200 title (1:31.61), making it an almost complete sweep of the relays. 

In Division II, the St. Mark’s girls claimed the program's first DII title, and first overall state title since 1992. St. Mark’s junior Tiffany Herrera won the 3,200 (11:01.62), 1,600 (5:13.19), finished runner-up in the 800 (2:22.26) and ran on the silver medal 4x400 (4:14.91).

The Lake Forest boys won the program fourth state title, scoring 114 points. The team was dominant in the field scoring a combined 53 points in the triple, long and high jump. 

Lake Forest junior Jalen Morris won the 100 and 300 hurdles and ran on the winning 4x100 (44.57).

Tatnall’s Declan McDonell helped his team to a runner-up finish with 100 points, as he won the 3,200 (9:30.92), 1,600 (4:23.24) and was second in the 800 (1:58.36). 

Team Champions

Division 1: Salesianum boys 160 points, Padua Academy girls 186 points - RESULTS

Division 2: Lake Forest boys 114 points, St. Mark’s girls 157 points - RESULTS