Espinosa looks to repeat district title in 1,600

Even though one of her district records was broken Thursday, Baylee Espinosa still ended the day as a two-time District 4 record-holder.

Shortly after Espinosa shattered the district record in the Class 2A girls 3,200-meter race, Williamsport’s Madeline Sanders broke Espinosa’s 2024 record in the Class 3A race.

Espinosa will look to continue her success during the second day of the District 4 track and field championships on Saturday at Milton’s Alumni Stadium.

Espinosa, who broke the 2003 record set by her mother, Ashleigh (Wetzel) Espinosa last season, will look to repeat her district title in the 1,600. Espinosa’s seed time of 4:58.91 is slightly ahead of Wellsboro’s Lauren Kosek (4:59.47), whom Espinosa beat in the 3,200 by about four seconds on Thursday.

Espinosa will also take part in the 4x400 along with Kate Batkowski, Annika Shields and Maddy Moyers.

“I think I always underestimate how taxing this day is on the body,” Espinosa said. “I think it’s weird because it’s only two races, it’s not like you’re quading or something. But it’s, I think not just physically, but emotionally really taxing. I think it’s hard to be like ‘okay, I gotta perform on this day to get to states.’

“I definitely don’t want to underestimate the challenges Saturday would be. Even though the volume of the races is less with it just being the mile and the 400 instead of the 800 and the two-mile, the intensity is still way up.”

Lewisburg has a commanding lead in the team standings through the first day of actions. The Green Dragons racked up 50 points — Hughesville and Williamson are tied for second place with 13 points each.

The Green Dragons will look to add to their lead with defending state champion Teagan Osunde in the javelin. Lydia Delsite is the top seed in the the triple jump, and owns the second-best seed in the high jump. Delsite won the long jump on Thursday.

One of Delsite’s competitors in the high jump will be Mount Carmel’s Tessa Fourspring, who’s the top seed at 5-6. Hannah Fourspring and Delsite’s teammate, Lauren Asche, are two other names to watch out for.

In Class 3A, Shikellamy’s Jilly Deivert will look to win three district golds once again. Deivert is the top seed in the 100 and 200, and is also a leg on the 4x100 that’s looking to mine gold once again. Mya Bronowicz, Lily Persing and Sierra Tyler will also take part in the relay.

The Braves will look to avenge last week’s loss in to Williamsport in the Heartland Athletic Conference meet.

“I think we’re always trying to do better, and I think we push each other,” Deivert said. “I think it’s just a different level since the the three of us are seniors and we got a freshman (Tyler). But we try and help each other along the way.”

Selinsgrove’s Bella Furgison is the top seed in the discus by more than 25 feet. Furgison won the shot put by 12 feet on Thursday. Furgison won state bronze in both events last season.

Gigi Veach owns two top seeds for the Seals. She owns the best time (57.85) in the 400, while also serving as a leg on the 4x400 along with Lake Dent, Kaia Hoke and Caitlyn O’Neill.