The Stissing Mountain High School varsity track team delivered a statement performance on Friday, Jan. 30, turning the Section 9 Championships at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point into a medal-filled night for Pine Plains.
Bombers athletes returned home with multiple gold medals, several podium finishes, and a wave of personal records.
Daniel McPherson led the boys’ effort with a dominant win in the 3,200 meters, adding a second-place finish in the 1,000, and a third-place result as part of the 4×400-meter relay. His versatility across distance and relay events anchored one of the team’s strongest overall performances of the season.
On the girls’ side, Violet Bliss turned in a standout night, finishing second in both the 3,000 and 1,500 meters before helping secure a first-place finish in the 4×400 relay. Michelle Blackburn added to the medal count with a third-place finish in the 600 meters and joined Bliss on the winning relay team.
In the field events, Edelthom PuildoPalma delivered one of the meet’s most impressive double performances, placing second in the shot put and winning the weight throw.
Both 4×400-meter relay teams capped the night with podium finishes. The girls’ winning quartet of Michelle Blackburn, Violet Bliss, Madison Jennings, and Madison Williams claimed first place, while the boys’ team of Sean Geiesler, Colin Stevens, Matthew Spada, and McPherson earned a third-place finish.
