SHIPPENSBURG, Pa. — A packed Seth Grove Stadium, the best of the best athletes gearing up, and the smell of sunscreen filling the air can only mean one thing, it's time for the PIAA State Track and Field Championships.
District III throwers threw their names in for the top spot on the podium early on Friday.
Lancaster Catholic's Margaret Bila picked the perfect time and place to throw a personal best of 140.6, which was also the best distance for the Girls 2A Discus, adding a little more gold to the purple and gold of the Crusaders.
"140 is a big personal record for me, by six feet at least," said Bila with a smile. "My coach kept telling me it's not over until it's over. The girl who got second was biting at my heels so I just had to not get too confident or cocky about my place."
Another Lanc-Leb student athlete saved her best for last. Manheim Central's Laci Nelson didn't even make states last year, but in the 3A Shot Put, it was her 40-2.5 that no one could touch to take the state crown.
"I just won districts, so that was already super exciting since I didn't even place the last two years. Being seeded fourth also helped with my confidence, so it was just exciting," said Nelson.
Both Bila and Nelson are juniors and they now have their sights set on state and school records next year.
Eventually, it was time for the 3A Boys Pole Vault and the top three seeds were all from District 3 and the Mid-Penn.
The showdown starts with Palmyra's Mason Bucks setting the tone, with a best of 15-6.
East Pennsboro's Breckin Swope knows that if you're going to fly close to the sun, you'll need some shades on. His impressive showing helps him finish second.
At 16 flat, it's a Falcon flying high. Lower Dauphin's Drake Risser is your state champion. He takes a close competition against some close competitors.
"It's awesome to see a group of guys that I've really grown up with the past four years. I've been able to compete against them for a while now and just being able to represent the Mid-Penn with all five of those guys is really special. Being able to do that means a lot to me. I really do love these guys because they're my biggest competitors, but they're also my biggest support," recalled Risser.
Congrats to all who made it to the podium and there will be plenty more student-athletes going for the gold on the second and final day of competition on Saturday.