Erin Keller Breaks All-Time Delaware PV Record As Padua Girls Win Again

By Mary Albl of DyeStat

The Padua Academy girls track team soared to another Delaware state outdoor track and field title on Saturday. Literally.

Led by sophomore Erin Keller's state record pole vault of 12 feet, 7 inches, Padua scored 163 points to win the Division I team title at Dover High. Smyrna was runner-up with 140 points.

“My run was really good that time (on the 12-7 jump),” Keller told delawareonline.com.

She jumped higher than either of the boys champions. 

Following last year's graduation of distance star Lydia Olivere, senior Elizabeth Bader seamlessly stepped in for Padua, winning the 3,200 meters (11:18.1), 1,600 (4:59.8) and finishing in second in the 800 (2:17.5). Chioma Njoku of Padua, won the discus (110-2) and placed second in the shot (39-1.5).

It was Padua's ninth straight state title.

Sophomore Charlee Crawford of St. George's broke a meet record by running 55.21 seconds to win the girls 400 meters title. Antother sophomore, Casey Talamini-Kelemen of Polytech, broke a meet record in the triple jump with 38-8.

In Division II, Kimmi Wood scored an impressive 40 points to help guide the Tatnall girls team to a fourth straight team title. Tatnall tallied 108 points, holding off Lake Forest (104.5).

Woods swept the sprints, winning the 100 (12.66), 200 (25.6) and 400 meters (58.4) and added a gold in the triple jump (36-7.75).

Salesianum (95 points) won the Division I boys title, while Sussex Central stepped up with a strong second with 89 points. Salesianum did most of its damage in the distances as the  Sallies won the 4x800 relay (8:07.2), and went 1-2-3 in the 1,600 meters. In the 3,200, Salesianum captured second, third and fifth place.

“The distance guys are like an entrée to what we do,” Salesianum coach Tim Byrne said to delawareonline.com. “Everybody else stepped up and did their job, too. They were like the seasoning and all the other stuff that goes on top."

Sussex Central matched the meet record in the 4x100 relay with 42.14.

Elijah Wilson of Middletown jumped 6-10 to win the high jump.

In boys Division II, A.I. du Pont claimed its second straight team championship, scoring 102.5 points. Daniel Bernard of du Pont was one of the highlights, winning the triple jump with 45-2.

Team Champions

Division 1: Salesianum boys 95 points, Padua Academy girls 163 points

Division 2: Alexis I. DuPont boys 102.5, Tatnall girls 108 points