The Punxsutawney Spirit

Chucks track/field places first at Altoona Invite on rainy day of competitio­n

- By Cody Powell Of The Spirit

ALTOONA — The Punxsutawn­ey Chucks track and field team traveled to Altoona for the Mountain Lion Invitation­al on a rainy Friday, which was the team’s last invite before Districts.

Out of 14 AA teams, the Chucks placed first with a score of 104 points, while fellow District 9 team Kane (101) came in second.

Along with taking first place in the team standings, Punxsy had two relay teams and 12 individual­s finish in the top-eight places.

“This invitation­al has traditiona­lly been our last big tune-up before Districts, and judging by our performanc­e, we are ready,” said Punxsy boys coach Jason Grusky. “I don't believe we've ever won this meet as a team before, so this is a major accomplish­ment for these young men."

Taking first place in both the 110-meter hurdles (16.34) and 300-meter hurdles (44.44) was senior Tyler Elliott, while the 4x100-meter relay team of Grant Miller, Isaac Greenblatt, Zach Presloid and Brett Dean also took first with a time of 46.13. Also, Evan Groce took first in the 800-meter run with a time of 2:06.79.

In the 4x800-meter run, the team of David Kunselman, Garrett Bartlebaug­h, Eric Surkala and Groce raced to second with a time of 8:56.71, placing behind Kane (8:44.92). In the 100-meter dash, Dean came in second with a time of 11.35, and Matthew Grusky had a throw of 40-01.50 in the shot put for second.

Isaac Greenblatt dashed to third in the 200-meter dash with a time of 24.25, and in the long jump,

Presloid took third with a mark of 18-03.

In the high jump, senior Kyle Nesbitt placed fourth with a mark of 5-02, while Greenblatt raced to fourth in the 100 dash with a time of 11.86. Also, Grusky (102-03) came in fourth in the discus.

Ryen Heigley placed fifth in the long jump with a mark of 17-11.50, while Daniel Lenze raced to fifth in the 3,200-meter run with a time of 11:25.21.

In the javelin, Greg Poole had a throw of 108-09, while Bryce Horne was behind him in eighth

Photos submitted with a throw of 94-11. Presloid (34-10.50) placed eighth in the triple jump, and in the 400-meter dash, Alex Momyer took eighth with a time of 56.12.

Besides those top-eight finishes, Dean (100 dash), Momyer (400 dash) and Lenze (3,200) also had seasonal-best finishes.

"It's pretty amazing that any athlete could achieve a seasonal-best performanc­e on a cold soggy day, but it's a testament to this group and their ability to focus on the task at hand and block out the things they can't control,” added Grusky.

 ?? ?? (Top photo) Pictured are members of the Punxsutawn­ey Chucks track and field team with their first-place trophy after winning the AA division at the Altoona Mountain Lion Invite on Friday. (Bottom photo) Pictured is (from left) Grant Miller, Isaac Greenblatt, Brett Dean and Zach Presloid, members of the Chucks 4x100meter relay team that took first on Friday.
(Top photo) Pictured are members of the Punxsutawn­ey Chucks track and field team with their first-place trophy after winning the AA division at the Altoona Mountain Lion Invite on Friday. (Bottom photo) Pictured is (from left) Grant Miller, Isaac Greenblatt, Brett Dean and Zach Presloid, members of the Chucks 4x100meter relay team that took first on Friday.
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