ADAMS TWP - With the formalities out of the way, the Freeport track team can now focus on the next big picture: the WPIAL Class AA championships.

The Yellowjackets had 20 different athletes advance from Wednesday's Northern Qualifier, which was held at Mars High School.

Freeport saw all three of its girls relays teams advance and the boys squad had one to highlight the meet.

Lacey Cochran handily won the 200-meter run (26.1 seconds) and the 400 (59.20) and was the anchor of the runner-up 1,600 relay (4:11.6).

Freeport also had the top two shot putters in juniors Marisa DeSalvo (34 feet, 7¼ inches) and Jamie Shockey (34-5).

On the boys side, Shane Sarver helped the 3,200-relay team start things off with a first-place finish (8:24.5). He also placed second in the 3,200 (9:55.0) and third in the 1,600 (4:38.0).

Despite the success, Freeport coach Bill Dillen knows it's what happens next week that matters.

"In this meet, winning doesn't mean anything, especially with other qualifiers coming in," said Freeport coach Bill Dillen.

Other top Freeport performances included Ian Kaminski in the boys 800 (2:04.7, second place); Brian Zimmerman in the boys javelin (165-0, second) and Kiel Conjack in the boys 300 hurdles (41.4, third).

For the Yellowjackets girls, Kerrie Clark was second in the long jump (16-3¾), Melanie Lutz was third in the 1,600 (5:34.0) and Olivia Hess third in the 800 (2:29.5).

The Freeport girls 3,200-relay also placed third as Hess, Kristen Prazenica, Kirsten Knappenberger and Lutz) were clocked at 10:13.2.

The Mars boys had three athletes qualify - Phil Armstrong was second in the pole vault (11-3), Ian Mundy was tied for fifth in the high jump (5-9) and Steve Jackson was seventh in the 400 (53.6) - as well as the 3,200 relay (8:36.1, sixth).

Summit Academy qualified in just one event, the 400 relay (45.2, third). Calvin Love, Earl Zarpeler, Jerome Butler and Kasil Butler comprised the foursome.

"This was a strength for us, but our handoffs are still not there," said Knights coach Brandon Savochka. "Through the first 200, we had a second on everyone.

"We can fix it and that's what we'll try to do. If we get it all done, 44 flat should be easily done," he added.

Listed below are the area placewinners at the WPIAL Class AA Northern Qualifier at Mars High School. The top eight finishers in each event advanced to next Tuesday's WPIAL Championships at South Side Beaver.

Boys

Track Events

3,200-meter relay:

1-Freeport (Shane Sarver, Brendan Reilly, Mike Delibero, Ian Kaminski) 8:24.5; 6-Mars 8:36.1

110-meter high hurdles:

6-Kevin Turner (Freeport) 15.6

1,600-meter run:

3-Shane Sarver (Freeport) 4:38.0

400-meter run:

7-Steve Jackson (Mars) 53.6

400-meter relay:

1-Summit Academy (Calvin Love, Earl Zarpeler, Jerome Butler, Kasil Butler) 45.2

300-meter intermediate hurdles:

3-Kiel Conjack (Freeport) 41.4

800-meter run:

2-Ian Kaminski (Freeport) 2:04.7

3,200-meter run:

2-Shane Sarver (Freeport) 9:55.0; 7-Brendan Reilly (Freeport) 10:06.0

Field Events

Javelin:

2-Brian Zimmerman (Freeport) 165-0

Pole vault:

2-Phil Armstrong (Mars) 11-3

High jump:

5-Ian Mundy (Mars) 5-9

Girls

Track Events

3,200-meter relay:

3-Freeport (Olivia Hess, Kirtsen Knappenberger, Kristen Prazenica, Melanie Lutz) 10:13.2

1,600-meter run:

3-Melanie Lutz (Freeport) 5:34.0

400-meter run:

1-Lacey Cochran (Freeport) 59.2

400-meter relay:

8-Freeport (Nicole Staricek, Kerrie Clark, Liz Elliott, Maurielle Blake) 54.7

800-meter run:

3-Olivia Hess (Freeport) 2:29.5

200-meter dash:

1-Lacey Cochran (Freeport) 26.1

3,200-meter run:

8-Kirsten Knappenberger (Freeport) 12:47.0

1,600-meter relay:

2-Freeport (Olivia Hess, Jordan Dunn, Nikki Woitas, Lacey Cochran) 4:11.6

Field Events

Shot put:

1-Marisa DeSalvo (Freeport) 34-7¼; 2-Jamie Shockey (Freeport) 34-5

Long jump:

2-Kerrie Clark (Freeport) 26-3¾

Triple jump:

7t-Maurielle Blake (Freeport) 33-0½