BUCKLAND — There were some fireworks early Friday night as the PVIAC Division 2 Track & Field Championships kicked off in spectacular fashion. 

To start, Frontier’s Adrien Pazmandy and Mount Greylock’s Noah Klompus were in an intense battle during the boys’ pole vault event. Pazmandy, who came in as the top seed was outdueled by Klompus, as he posted a 10 foot, 6 inch clearance to secure the victory. Following Klompus and Pazmandy were Hampshire Regional’s Nate Gooden, Greenfield’s Jackson Caron, and Mohawk Trail’s Wyatt Alling.

The girls’ pole vault was a different story.

Mahar’s Stellina Moore dominated, winning the event by posting a clearance of 9 feet, 6 inches.

But she wasn’t done.

Moore then set a personal record by clearing 10 feet. Although she tried one more time to clear 10-3, setting her personal record to go with the sectional title was more than enough.

“Honestly, I wasn't really focused on being first,” Moore said. “I just had a mindset of [clearing 10].”

Moore, who is in eighth grade, has been dominant this season.

“[I wasn’t nervous because] I just love pole vaulting,” Moore said. “It's my favorite thing to do. And now that I qualified for states, I'm just so happy,”  

The top three finishers were Sophia Leone and Gage Calhoun — both of Frontier. 

In the boys’ 1-mile, it was Emmett Johnson of Mohawk Trail who dominated the field. The sophomore ran a time of 4 minutes, 28.12 seconds and finished in first place by over 10 full seconds. 

Although Johnson won, he said his competitiveness left him wanting a bit more.

“I was really excited because I came in first place and set the all time meet record,” Johnson said. “But I was kind of disappointed because I was eight seconds away from my goal. I wanted to go sub 4:20.”

Johnson said he is looking forward to reaching even further heights as he progresses into the MIAA Division 5 state championships next week.

“I really want to qualify for nationals,” Johnson said. “And I think I'll be able to do it.”

In the girls’ long jump, Frontier’s Caroline Crocker posted a leap of 15-7½ to finish second, right behind South Hadley’s Emma Sanford. That 1-2 combo followed in the 100-meter hurdles as Sanford (15:23) edged Crocker (15:56) for another top two finish. Pioneer’s Sahana Heilman came in fifth with a time of 17:46. 

Frontier’s Abigail Howard (5:48.97) and Sylvie DiBartololomeo (13:08.14) each notched fourth and fifth place finishes in the one mile and two mile, respectively. 

Frontier’s Abigail Howard (5:48.97) and Sylvie DiBartolomeo (13:08.14) each notched fourth and fifth place finishes in the one mile and two mile, respectively.

On the relay side, Frontier girls finished fourth in the 4x400, and third in the 4x800, while the boys finished second in the 4x400 and third in the 4x800.

Mohawk trail also impressed – finishing fourth in the girls and second in the boys’ 4x800.

The Frontier girls team backed up last year's first place performance with another top two showing, finishing second on the day – just one point ahead of third-place Pope Francis.

Head coach Bob Smith said he was impressed with his team's effort throughout Friday’s meet.

“I think the throwers did exceptionally well,” Smith said. “The pole vaulters and relay teams did very well, too. We're really happy.”

Coming back and putting on a great display once again shows the depth of the program as a whole. But Smith gives all the credit to the kids.

“We have great kids,” Smith said. “It's not about anything else but that fact that our kids are great. They all get along, they all like and support each other. It’s great.”

The Frontier boys also secured a second place finish, as Mt. Greylock swept both the girls and the boys titles.

Along with Pazmandy’s second place finish in the pole vault, Erich Brown (5-8) took a fourth place finish in the high jump while Aiden Dredge (156-1) was an impressive second in the javelin throw. 

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