Valley Forge sends two qualifiers to state after strong showing at Division I Super Regional

Valley Forge turned in a standout afternoon Saturday at the Division I Super Regional, advancing two athletes to next weekend’s OHSAA State Track and Field Championships at Jesse Owens Stadium at Ohio State University. Competing at North Royalton in clear conditions, the Patriots were led by a regional title in the girls long jump and a series of record-setting performances on the track.

Nevaeh Hall delivered the biggest result of the day for Valley Forge, winning the long jump with a leap of 18 feet, 8 1/4 inches. The mark broke her previous school record and secured one of the Patriots’ state-meet berths. She added another record-breaking effort in the girls 200-meter dash, finishing second in 24.12 seconds in one of the meet’s closest races. The margin at the line was razor thin, with first place decided by one-hundredth of a second.

Nevaeh Hall also placed fourth in the girls 100-meter dash, giving Valley Forge points and another high finish in a deep regional field. Her three-event day showed both range and consistency, from the explosive speed events to a winning jump performance. In a meet where qualifying spots were at a premium, she delivered across the board and earned multiple trips into the state spotlight.

Valley Forge also got a state-qualifying performance from Delaney Kercher in the girls high jump. She cleared 5 feet, 2 inches and placed fifth in a highly competitive regional competition. That height was enough to earn an at-large berth to the state meet, giving the Patriots a second qualifier from Saturday’s meet.

The Super Regional brought together one of the toughest fields of the season, and Valley Forge answered with season-defining performances when the stakes were highest. With Nevaeh Hall advancing in the 100, 200 and long jump and Delaney Kercher extending her season in the high jump, the Patriots will carry momentum into next weekend’s state meet in Columbus.