In a thrilling display of athletic prowess, the Section VI state qualifiers witnessed standout performances from Nate Mays, Ethan Verbosky, and Johnee Thomas, among others. These athletes not only secured their spots for the New York State Public High School Athletic Association championships but also set new benchmarks in their respective categories.

Athletic Triumphs: The Road to State Glory Awaits

The stage is set for these remarkable athletes to showcase their talents on a grander platform, driven by ambition and relentless dedication.

Unyielding Determination: Nate Mays' Pentathlon Mastery

Nate Mays's journey at the Section VI Class C track and field qualifier was nothing short of extraordinary. Demonstrating unparalleled skill across five events, Mays accumulated an impressive 3,381 points, outscoring competitors like Class A champion Thomas Cycon with 3,055 points and Class B's Landen Hibbs with 2,868 points. Mays shattered personal records in the high jump, reaching 6-feet and 2-inches, shot put at 44-feet and 7-inches, and the 1,500 meters with a time of 4:57.78, improving his previous best by nearly 11 seconds. His aspirations extend beyond breaking records; he aims to forge opportunities for future achievements at the state level.His dominance was evident as he surpassed peers such as Gowanda sophomore Maddox Hudson, who scored 2,770 points, and Frewsburg sophomore Jaden Collver with 2,688 points. This performance underscores Mays's potential to elevate his game further at the upcoming state championships.

Double Victory: Ethan Verbosky's Stellar Achievements

Maple Grove junior Ethan Verbosky emerged victorious in both the 800 and 1,600-meter races, cementing his place in the annals of Chautauqua County history. Verbosky's 800-meter title came with a record-breaking time of 1:52.67, which would have clinched the Division 2 state championship last year. His subsequent triumph in the 1,600 meters, achieved with a school-record time of 4:17.25, solidified his status as a formidable competitor.Verbosky's journey this season has been marked by significant improvements in his times leading up to the meet. Despite initial challenges, his resilience and commitment to training have propelled him toward excellence. With sights set on Middletown, Verbosky is determined to enhance his position on the podium by continuing rigorous preparation and maintaining focus.

Speed Demon: Johnee Thomas's Final Sprint to States

Dunkirk senior Johnee Thomas concluded his high school career with a bang, securing the Class B 400-meter title with a time of 49.29, narrowly edging out Niagara-Wheatfield’s Josiah Rivera at 49.65. This victory follows last year's podium finish, where Thomas demonstrated his ability to excel amidst stiff competition. With several key rivals graduating, Thomas sees an opportunity to ascend higher on the leaderboard during the state championships.Southwestern junior Ryan Ohl added another layer of excitement to the qualifiers by claiming the Class C 400-meter crown with a swift time of 49.17. Although Ohl fell just short in the 200-meter race, finishing second with a time of 22.75, his overall performance highlighted his versatility and potential. Meanwhile, Royalton-Hartland’s Braden Ricker claimed the Class C 200-meter title with a time of 22.57, showcasing emerging talent within the section.

Relay and Field Excellence: Teamwork and Individual Feats

Team dynamics played a crucial role in advancing several relay teams to the state championships. Jamestown's quartet, comprising Angel Martinez, Ayden Samuelson, Cameron Burgess, and Jarren Cotter, excelled in the Class A 400-meter relay with a winning time of 43.09. Additionally, Burgess, Cotter, Beckett Lumia, and Brighton Lumia triumphed in the Class A 1,600-meter relay with a time of 3:22.81. In the field events, Caden Inkley reclaimed his Class C pole vault supremacy with an overall section height of 14-3, ensuring his return to states. Southwestern’s Leo Kavic also advanced despite placing second in the Class C shot put, throwing 48-3.5 compared to Alden senior Robbie Westmiller’s winning distance of 49-5.25. Falconer/Cassadaga Valley’s Zach Markham narrowly missed out in third with 47-1, while Dunkirk’s Riley Smith Mallon finished fourth in Class B with a throw of 45-2.25.

Discus Dominance and High Jump Heights

Jamestown’s Jorge Rivera Jr. and Clymer/Sherman/Panama’s Kolten Rhoades etched their names in the discus record books, securing Class A and Class C titles respectively. Rhoades led the pack with an outstanding throw of 156-1, while Rivera followed closely with 140-3. Joining them at states is Southwestern’s Tyler McIntyre, who threw 151-7, surpassing the standard despite finishing second. Chautauqua Lake’s Walter Lukasiak trailed closely in third with a throw of 147-0.In the high jump, Dunkirk’s Jareese Gaines cleared 6-3, missing the Class B title by an inch but securing his spot at the state championships. Sweet Home’s Brenton Baker clinched the win with a leap of 6-4. Southwestern’s Connor Young showcased resilience in the long jump, placing third in Class C with a leap of 20-9, overshadowed by Wilson’s Ryan Hough (21-9.50) and Tapestry’s Ayden Henderson (21-0.50). Young also competed valiantly in the triple jump, finishing fifth with a distance of 40-4, while Talon Persons placed fourth for the Wolfpack at 40-10.25. Royalton-Hartland’s Tyson McCaa dominated the event with a leap of 42-7.5.