Lady Chucks track/field finish in first place at rainy Altoona Invite
ALTOONA — The Punxsutawney Lady Chucks track and field team traveled to their final invite of the season before Districts on a rainy day in Altoona.
At the end of the Altoona Mountain Lion Invitational on Friday, the Lady Chucks had finished first in the team standings with a score of 103.5 out of 18 teams. Lewisburg (100) came close behind in second, while fellow District 9 team Elk County Catholic (54) took third.
Besides taking first in the team standings, the Lady Chucks had three relay teams and 12 individuals finish in the top-eight spots.
“Despite the rain and cooler conditions, our girls came through with some strong, consistent performances across all the events,” said Punxsy girls coach John Snyder. “In all the years the girls have competed at the Altoona Invite, this was the first time that the girls finished as team champions, and it took everyone’s performance to accomplish that tall task.”
He added, “The girls are continuing to put up some quality times and marks that should make our team a contender for Districts in two weeks.”
Freshman Mary Grusky took first in the javelin with a mark of 114-04, while taking fourth in the discus (88-01) and fourth (31-06) in the shot put.
“Mary had another strong invitational, placing in all three throwing events, while also winning the javelin for her third out of four invites,” said Snyder.
In the shot put, Rebekah Miller (34-02) took second, and Jael Miller came in fifth in the discus with a throw of 84-03.
“Rebekah continued her strong consistent marks and finished second to one of the best in the state,” said Snyder. “Hannah Pearce (javelin: 11th, 82-05) and Jael threw for their second-best marks of the season.”
In the high jump, Maeve Hanley took second with a jump of 4-08, and Samantha Griebel (4-04) took fourth in the event. Also, Kierstin Riley (15-08) placed first in the long jump, while Izzy Knarr (13-09) came in seventh.
“Kierstin had another strong consistent day in long jump, while Samantha and Maeve both handled the conditions quite well,” said Snyder. “Also, Izzy and Chloe Aul (triple jump: 9th, 27-02) both had good jumps considering the conditions.”
On the track, Jordann Hicks raced to second in the 800-meter run with a time of 2:28.77. “Jordann came back after her strong lead-off leg in the relay (4x800) to run her second-fastest open 800 of the season,” added Snyder.
In the 300-meter hurdles, Libby Gianvito took fourth with a time of 53.77, and in the 400-meter dash, Olivia Bish (1:07.37) placed fourth. “Olivia ran a strong open 400, and Libby raced to a personal-best time in the 300 hurdles,” said Snyder.
Jayden Getch raced to sixth in the 200-meter dash with a time of 29.97, and Amy Poole finished sixth in the 1,600-meter run (5:56.49) and sixth in the 3,200-meter run (12:45.28). “Amy raced very competitively in the 1,600 and 3,200, while Jayden continues to look strong in the sprints,” added Snyder.
In the 4x800-meter relay, the team of Hicks, Bish, Hannah Surkala and Emily McMahan raced to second with a time of 10:13.60.
“The 4x800-meter relay raced extremely well against some of the best relay teams in the state and came away with a seasonalbest time,” said Snyder. “Jordann hit a personalbest split, while Olivia, Hannah, and Emily were just shy of their seasonalbest splits.”
The 4x100-meter relay team of Getch, Riley Doverspike, Knarr and Riley came in third with a time of 55.15, and the 4x400-meter relay team of Bish, Taylor Bair, Gianvito and Madison Rudolph took third (4:38.69).
“The 4x400 relay raced some strong legs to help secure the team win, and the 4x100 relay ran close to their season best in less than ideal conditions,” said Snyder.
Complete Results: 4x800meter relay: Jordann Hicks, Olivia Bish, Hannah Surkala, Emily McMahan (2nd, 10:13.60); 100 hurdles: Abby Blair (12th, 22.01); 1,600: Amy Poole (6th, 5:56.49); 400 dash: Olivia Bish (4th, 1:07.37); 4x100-meter relay: Jayden Getch, Riley Doverspike, Izzy Knarr and Kierstin Riley (3rd, 55.15); 300 hurdles: Libby Gianvito (4th, 53.77); 800: Jordann Hicks (2nd, 2:28.77); 200 dash: Jayden Getch (6th, 29.97); 3,200: Amy Poole (6th, 12:45.28); 4x400-meter relay: Olivia Bish, Taylor Bair, Libby Gianvito, Madison Rudolph (3rd, 4:38.69); high jump: Maeve Hanley (2nd, 4-08), Samantha Griebel (4th, 4-04); long jump: Kierstin Riley (1st, 15-08); Izzy Knarr (7th, 13-09); triple jump: Chloe Aul (9th, 27-02); shot put: Rebekah Miller (2nd, 34-02), Mary Grusky (4th, 31-06); discus: Mary Grusky (4th, 88-01), Jael Miller (5th, 84-03); javelin: Mary Grusky (1st, 114-04), Hannah Pearce (11th, 82-05).