SETTING A NEW STANDARD...are the Bradford track teams as the boys won their first league meet in ten years and the girls established a new school record in the 4x400.

The Bradford boys and girls track teams competed against Ansonia, Covington, and Newton in a meet hosted by Covington on Tuesday, April 14 - with the boys taking first and the girls second.

It's been over ten years since the Bradford boys track team has won a league meet, but the Railroaders ended the drought in a big way by beating second place Covington by 12 team points. It was the second time this school year a Bradford team ended a decade-long drought as the boys basketball team won their first league game in over ten years this past winter.

For the boys it was a sweet victory as everyone on the team played a part in the win with ten members of the team contributing by scoring points. Bradford had 84 points followed by Covington, Ansonia, and Newton.

Scoring points for Bradford were Jonathon and James Barbee, Austin Sell, Steven Applegate, Josh Williams, Ronnie Hoelscher, Michael Deaton, Michael Newell, Josh Sargent, Ryan Dunlevy, and Donivan Preston.

Winning their respective events were: James Barbee (20-2 in the long jump and 44.6 in the 300 hurdles), Ronnie Hoelscher (17.1 in 110 hurdles), and the 4x200 meter relay team (1:42.8).

The girls team finished second behind Ansonia with 60 points.

Amy Smith won the long jump with a distance of 14-3, while Kelsey Canan swept the 100 (13.6) and the 200 (29.0). The 4x400 meter relay team of Kelsey Canan, Monica Bennett, Katelyn Gade and Anissa Bashore won in a school record time of 4:38.5.

"It's was way over due," said Bradford’s Coach Bob Daugherty in regards to the big day. "Our kids (both boys and girls teams) have put in a lot of hard work this year to be successful. With a win like this it gives us a stepping stone to build our confidence and restore pride in our sports programs."

It may have been cold and wet outside but it was a nice ride home after the big win by the boys and a solid performance by the girls.

Congratulations on a well deserved victory Railroaders.