WHITEHALL - Gavin Nelson was looking for his first league title. Sadie Fenstermaker had one to defend.

Both Northwestern Lehigh athletes accomplished those goals last week at the Colonial League Track and Field Championships, held May 7-8 at Whitehall High School.

Fenstermaker carried on her success in the shot put, winning the event for the second consecutive year to continue what has been a stellar season for the senior.

The top seed in the shot put, Fenstermaker won the event with a mark of 37-0.5. The victory also came on the heels of a runner-up finish on Tuesday in the discus.

“I’m really excited,” said Fenstermaker. “I was hoping it would be this way. I was excited yesterday for today.”

The senior had no shortage of motivation heading into the event.

“I don’t know (if yesterday) eased any nerves because I was disappointed with how I did,” said Fenstermaker. “But it made me want to come back stronger today. And my mark was fine. I was really close to my PR (37-9). I was hoping to at least throw 36 (feet). I was struggling a little bit; I was throwing 35s. But I just told myself to relax, and I had a good throw and it was a good day.”

Fenstermaker won the shot put last year with a mark of 36-0. She was fifth in the event as a sophomore and 12th as a freshman, showcasing the strides she has continued to make.

“Definitely my technique that I work on every day,” said Fenstermaker, who also qualified for states in the shot put last season. “One thing at a time, like I was saying yesterday, and also my speed. I’m able to be fast through the circle, so when I do my glide, I’m very quick, which helps me bring my energy with the shot put and also reaching over the toe board with my arm, that helps me get a little extra.

“I try to work on one or two things every day, in the end it all comes together I guess. (Mike) Kistler (throwing coach) definitely helps me a lot. I love him as a coach and I wouldn’t be where I was without him.”

Nelson, who finished third at last year’s league meet before qualifying for states a week later, was also the top seed,

He cleared 6-5 last week to win the event. He was seeded at 6-7.

“It feels great,” said Nelson. “I’ve wanted to get this since last year, when I was third. Since then I’ve known that I really wanted to win the Colonial League title, and it feels really good. I tried 6-8.5, which is the school record, but couldn’t get it.”

Nelson was a state qualifier in the high jump last season. He also watched former teammate Faith Yost earn gold in the event at states a season ago.

“Faith was an amazing coach. She helped me with a lot of stuff,” Nelson said of Yost, who graduated last year. “She was definitely always there for us. She was a great mentor. She helped me with my form, she helped me stay confident. She really taught me how to perform in high jump. She was a state champion, and she was very talented and really helped me a lot.”

Fenstermaker and Hannah Gober (javelin) showcased the Tigers strong throwing program with runner-up finishes on the first day of the meet.

Fenstermaker tossed 104-8 in the discus to place second, while Katie Brensinger medaled with a fourth-place finish and throw of 93-6.

“I’m happy because there’s room for improvement,” said Fenstermaker, who was seeded first at 119-4. “Even though I didn’t throw anywhere close to my PR, I still feel like I can work through the next week, and do really well at districts. So I am a little frustrated, but in the end I’m OK. I still got second. That’s not bad at all. What I threw is still a good throw.”Gober threw 108-2 in the javelin to earn silver.

“It’s very exciting to medal at leagues,” said Gober, who was seeded second. “I was hoping to gain a few more feet today (on my throw). My PR this year is 119-0, so I have a little bit to go. I’m going to try again next week at districts, and hopefully qualify for states. But you can’t ask for more with a medal as a sophomore. I’m very happy.”

Northwestern’s Kit Kahm also had a big PR in the long jump with a mark of 21-8 to place third. He was seeded 12th at 19-10 1/2.

The Tigers’ 3200 relay team of Sean Kershner, Braidon Berk, Francesco Ponte and Greyson Wellings ran a PR of 8:28.91 to place third in their second time running together. They were seeded fourth at 8:41.85.

“We knew we had a chance to all have a very good race, and come out and get a big PR, and also podium, which was our main goal,” said Kershner.

“We have some 400, some longer distances guys, and we just work well together,” said Wellings.

“We just move,” Ponte said with a laugh.

Northwestern’s Grace Yost (pole vault) earned silver a medal last Wednesday.

Yost cleared 9-3 for a second-place finish in the pole vault. She was the top seed at 10-7.

“I wanted to try to break my own school record,” said Yost. “But it was kind of an off day. Things weren’t really coming together as planned. But I’m OK with it. I still got second, and I was still able place.

“I’m very happy with the whole season. It’s been really good.”

The Southern Lehigh girls and Notre Dame Green Pond boys won the Colonial League team titles.

The District 11 Track and Field Championships are scheduled to take place this week, on Tuesday and Wednesday, May 14 and 15, at Blue Mountain High School.