Shik Bests Central Mountain in Track Opener
MILL HALL – Tuesday was a rough opening day for the Central Mountain track teams. Both squads ran headlong into traditional Heartland Conference track power Shikellamy High School. The two Braves’ squads went home with the wins, the girls on top by 115 to 35, the Brave boys winning by a score of 130 to 20.
There were a few bright spots for Central Mountain: first places from Amelia McCloy in the high jump (5’2”), Ashley Rich in the 100 meter hurdles (17.59) and Lucas Porter in the triple jump (37-2).
Hunter Barger recorded three second places in the 100, 200 and 400 meters. Jacob Watson turned in two seconds, the triple jump and long jump. Corban Green was second in the 1600, as was Cassidy Bliss in the 3200. Autumn Trate was second in the high jump behind McCloy.
Scoring thirds, on the boys side, were Zander Tuttle in the 100, Bryce Gray in the 3200, Brett Gerlach in the triple jump and high jump and Carter Simcox in the javelin; on the girls side, thirds came from Gianna Dressler in the 1600, Hannah Yost in the 3200, Zoe Eck in the long jump and McKenzie Hannah in the pole vault.
McCloy, a junior, returns as a PIAA place-winner from a year ago. She finished fifth in the high jump at the state meet and set a school record jump of 5’6” last season. McCloy is the school’s first state medal winner since Kristen Brandt more than a decade ago.
Next meet for Central Mountain will be home Tuesday, April 2 against Williamsport.
The girls’ program this year is coached by Danielle Wilson, her first season. She had previous track and field and cross country coaching experience at Fleetwood Area School District. The girls’ program has a roster of 46 this season. Coach Wilson lauded the “positive attitude, great work ethic and team spirit” of the squad members.
