Abington Heights’ Anthony Piccotti Shines at New Balance National Championships

Anthony Piccotti from Abington Heights achieved the best result among participants from the Lackawanna Track Conference at the New Balance National Championship held at Franklin Field, University of Pennsylvania. Competing in the freshman pole vault, Piccotti secured 17th place after successfully clearing a height of 12 feet, 5.5 inches. The event was won by Colt Craig of River Valley, California, who claimed the national title with a leap of 14 feet, 9 inches.

Ryan Vargo from Wallenpaupack also represented the local athletes, finishing 26th in the championship division for discus. His top throw reached 163 feet, 6 inches during his second attempt, while his final throw measured 157 feet. The discus event was highlighted by Anthony Mason of Crofton Track Club in Maryland, who set a new meet record with an impressive throw of 209 feet, 5 inches.

In the freshman 100 meters, Abington Heights’ Aliya Lucarelli placed 32nd with a time of 12.53 seconds. The event was ultimately won by Paison Sanders from The St. James Academy in Virginia, who set a meet record with a speedy 11.62 seconds. Meanwhile, Sadie Booths of Western Wayne competed in the championship division for discus but did not register a mark. Madison Davis from Atkins Track, North Carolina, took home the national title with a distance of 167 feet, 6 inches.

Looking ahead, Mid Valley’s Olivia Thomas is set to kick off her participation at the national championship on Friday. She will compete in the freshman long jump at 3:30 p.m., where she is the top seed after earning a Class 2A silver medal at the PIAA Championships. On Saturday, Thomas will also compete in the freshman triple jump and the 100 hurdles trials, maintaining her status as a leading contender in each event.

Additionally, Lucarelli will return for the freshman division 200 meters on Saturday afternoon, while Lakeland's Raine Kearney is scheduled for the freshman girls javelin earlier that day. Abington Heights’ Justin Lezinski will participate in the middle school shot put event, and Wallenpaupack’s Aiden Janowicz will race in the championship division 800 on Sunday.

Meanwhile, sisters Kiana and Tayla Seid from Abington Heights are also making waves at the adidas National Championship in Greensboro, North Carolina. Kiana is set to compete in the national elite division pole vault and high jump, while Tayla will take part in the middle school division long jump and pole vault events.