The WPIAL Class AAA Track and Field Championships took place Thursday at Baldwin High School and local athletes were well-represented on the medals stand.
Canon-McMillan senior Zane Zebrasky won the boys javelin with a WPIAL championship meet record throw of 201-8. He had the top two throws of the competition and was the only male competitor to establish a WPIAL record at the meet.
Folks, any time someone hits 200-0 at the high school level, it's a serious throw.
Peters Township senior Matt Courter won the 110 high hurdles with a blistering time of 14.73.
The gold medals were the first for both Zebrasky and Courter. Neither qualified for last year's PIAA Championships but both enter next weekend's meet as top contenders in their events.
For Zebrasky, the win proved particularly poignant. Close family friend and O-R sports writer James Montecalvo is hospitalized.
"I called Coach (Guy) Montecalvo right after I won and I got to talk to (Jim)," Zebrasky said. "I just told him I'm praying for him every day. He gave me a lot of motivation for the meet. I came in here wanting to do it for myself but I also wanted to do it for Jim."
Well said Zane.
Zebrasky and Courter were two of 15 local athletes who qualified for the state meet, which takes place Friday, May 23 and Saturday, May 24 at Shippensburg University.
Other Canon-McMillan qualifiers were Julian Rankin (1,600), Kyle Gibson (3,200), Jeravin Matthews (400, long jump), Brittany Taylor (high jump) and the 400 relay team of Libby Guyton, Natasha Williams, Taylor Parisse and Stephanie Austin.
Other Peters Township qualifiers were Christian Brandstetter (800, 1,600 relay), Megan Hahn (100 hurdles), Andy Blandino (1,600 relay) and Hunter Braden (1,600 relay). Courter also qualified as part of the relay team.
Trinity's Joe Marquis placed fourth in the triple jump to secure his spot in Shippensburg.
7 comments:
Mike,
I believe the CM 3200 relay also qualified on time. check it out on the WPIAL.org Scoreboard / SQS
Kovak's coverage of the WPIAL championships far surpassed that other fellow's rather poor effort at the team championships.
Mike,
Thanks for a good article in today's paper, but you missed one on Canon-Mac. The boy's 4 x 800 relay (With Rankin out to stay fresh for his state bid in the mile and Nick Gibson in as the alternate) crushed the school record by 10 seconds to go 8:00.05 to finish 5th and make states by being 2 seconds under the state qualifying standard. Luke alauazen, Nick Gibson, Matt Gregory, and Kyle Gibson were the 4 guys who got it done!
Mike,
I think you missed the boat on your coverage. I know track and field isn't your favorite sport to cover, but lets get the facts right. CM's boys 4x800 relay placed fifth and qualified for the state meet, while shattering the school record in a time of 8:00.05. I sure hope you correct your omission. They deserved to be noticed for such a great accomplishment.
Actually, I enjoy covering track and field as I've said numerous times on this blog. I ran track in high school and I enjoy being out there for the big meets.
So I have no idea where you're coming from C.C.
I do apologize for the omission. Unfortunately, when we make mistakes (as everyone does in their jobs) it can leave out kids deserving recognition. That certainly has never been my intent.
As for setting school records, I do not get too caught up in that stuff. Still, that does not diminish what the CM boys relay team accomplished.
Now, as for missing the boat on my coverage, are you saying the relay team was more newsworthy than a WPIAL meet record and another gold medalist?
Pretty impressive Zane...
Congrats to all the CM members who made it to states!
When will Zane be selecting a college? I am anxious to see where he will end up and here we are in the latter part of May and still no official word. Obviously he has several potential suitors, but I thought most schools have defined deadlines that new students must decide by. Also, does anyone know if Zane will be participating in track and field in college as well?
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