Marian’s McClafferty sixth in discus at states

SHIPPENSBURG – It was as good as she could have imagined.

Marian’s Emma McClafferty dreamed of medaling at the PIAA Track and Field Championships.

The junior made it a reality on Friday.

McClafferty pulled out a personal best 125-10 in the Class 2A discus to place sixth in the event for her first state medal.

“In my best dreams, yes,” McClafferty said of what it’s like to stand on the podium at Shippensburg University’s Seth Grove Stadium.

McClafferty, who was seeded 11th with a mark of 118-6, got her best throw on her second attempt of the day.

She did the same thing last week en route to a district title.

“I knew the top nine were in finals, and that the top eight placed,” said McClafferty. “That was my goal, to get up there. I didn’t think I would actually make it that high, so I’m pretty happy about that.

“My first one (throw) wasn’t terrible, it was like a 115-(feet), so it was OK to start off with that. And then I went up almost 10 feet (on the second throw), and PR’d. It was good.”

McClafferty knew she had something special as soon as she let it go.

“It felt like the good ones at practice,” she said.

After qualifying for states as a freshman, McClafferty did not make the ‘Trip to Ship’ a year ago. She made the most of her opportunity this season.

“It’s so great,” McClafferty said of the experience. “Last year, I didn’t make it out. And then this year to place, it’s really nice.”

That previous experience paid dividends for McClafferty in her return to Shippensburg.

“I was more calm this time. It was a lot better,” said McClafferty. “I’m just so grateful for the opportunity.

“It’s just so surreal. It would be nice to get back out here again next year, hopefully, do a little bit better.”

Marian’s Tina Capparell got her final trip to Shippensburg off to a strong start. Capparell won her Class 2A 1600 preliminary heat with a time of 5:08.05.

The senior is the second overall seed in the event.

“It was good. I felt good,” said Capparell. “It’s really hot, but I’ll take it.

“I just mainly focus on trying not to burn out my legs too much, and just feeling out the competition, and seeing who wants to go on what lap. It just all worked out today.”

Capparell had the field covered in the prelim, controlling the race from the front.

After placing sixth in the race last season, Capparell has leaned on that experience to develop what she hopes is the perfect game plan to walk away with a gold medal.

“It helps so much,” she said. “I know what’s actually going to happen tomorrow (in the finals), and I was actually in probably the better of the prelim heats, so I know who’s there.”

Capparell withstood a late challenge in the final 100 meters, as Sharon freshman Gianna Labbiento closed the gap, before finishing second in 5:08.49.

“I wanted that No. 1 seed going into it (finals),” Capparell said of the finish. “I was pushing the whole race. Just to get passed at the end, I wasn’t going to let that happen.

“Last year, that last 100 meters really got me. This year, I’ve been working on my kick a lot more, and my strength at the end, and it’s been working so far.”

Capparell came back later in the day to place third in her 800 prelim with a time of 2:21.31 to advance to the finals.

MOVING ON

Several area athletes moved through preliminary races Friday to reach today’s semifinals or finals.

Palmerton’s Jordan Nelson (15.65) was second in his 2A 110 hurdle prelim to advances to the semis.

Weatherly’s Emily Zoscin (12.87) was third in her 2A 100 prelim and advanced to the semis. She was seeded 20th at 12.73.

Jim Thorpe’s Emma Dunbar (12.95) placed fifth in the 2A 100 prelim to advance. She was seeded 23rd at 12.76.

Lehighton’s Tahmir Spencer (11.51) placed third in his 2A 100 prelim and advanced to the semis. He was seeded ninth at 11.09. Spencer (22.96) was second in the 200 prelims to advance.

Jim Thorpe’s Nujai Walcott (22.94) ran a solid race in the 3A 200 prelims to move on to the semis.

Palmerton’s Jake Martinez (4:25.74) placed fourth in his 2A 1600 prelim to advance to the finals, while Jim Thorpe’s Lydia Wallace (2:22.10) was sixth in her 2A 800 prelim and advanced to the finals.

The Tamaqua girls advanced to the finals in the Class 2A 3200 relay. The Raiders were sixth in their preliminary heat, with a time of 9:50.54. They were seeded 14th at 9:56.75.

SO CLOSE

Palmerton’s Chris Fredericks and Jim Thorpe’s William Munson just missed landing on the podium. Fredericks placed ninth in the Class 2A javelin with a throw of 181-7. Fredericks was seeded 13th at 171-10.

Munson also missed medaling by one spot, finishing ninth in the Class 3A shot put (50-6 1/2).

END OF THE LINE

The Tamaqua team of Christopher Osenbach, Derian Stianche, Dair Miller and Brad Clemson did not make the final in the Class 2A 3200 relay, finishing eighth in their preliminary heat with a time of 8:17.56. The Raiders were seeded 17th with a time of 8:22.31.

“It’s a great experience,” said Stianche, who finished 10th (2:06.42) in his 2A 800 prelim later in the day, and did not advance to the final. “We brought two new guys with us (Osenbach and Miller), and they ran really well here for their first time.

“And we brought two underclassmen alternates with us this year (Brandon Fogarty and Pierce Demetriades). So we’re hoping they could see how we ran here today, and how the competition is, and just the excitement you get from being here. We’re just hoping they could come out and that will make them want to get back here next year.”

Jim Thorpe’s Jarrin Geisinger has similar goals for next season.

After placing seventh in the Class 2A 100 while running for Marian last season, Geisinger (11.48) was sixth in his Class 3A 100 prelim, and did not advance to the semis.

“It’s been hard with all the injuries and stuff, but I’m just pushing through it, trying to place. It’s tough competition,” said Geisinger. “I keep getting better, though.

“I just try to keep getting better, that’s the most important thing. I’ve really progressed. My form, and my start, have gotten progressively better each day. Just time to start getting ready for next year, and hopefully I’ll be able to place.”

BACK ON TRACK

On track action resumes today at 9 a.m. with the finals in the 3200. Field events also are scheduled to begin at the same time.

Results of Times News area athletes

GIRLS

CLASS 2A

3200 relay – Tamaqua, sixth in preliminary heat, 9:50.54, advances to finals.

100 – Emily Zoscin, Weatherly, 12.87, third in preliminary heat, advances to semifinals; Emma Dunbar, Jim Thorpe, 12.95, fifth in preliminary heat, advances to semifinals.

1600 – Tina Capparell, Marian, 5:08.05, first in preliminary heat, advances to final.

Discus – Emma McClafferty, Marian, 125-10, sixth overall.

Javelin – Alyssa Campomizzi, Tamaqua, 109-1, 22nd overall.

800 – Tina Capparell, Marian, 2:21.31, third in preliminary heat, advances to final; Lydia Wallace, Jim Thorpe, 2:22.10, sixth in preliminary heat, advances to final.

400 relay – Jim Thorpe, seventh in preliminary heat, 52;81, does not advance.

CLASS 3A

Triple jump – Kaia Slaw, Lehighton, 35-0 1/2, 21st overall.

BOYS

CLASS 2A

3200 relay – Tamaqua, eighth in preliminary heat, 8:17.56, does not advance to finals.

Javelin – Chris Fredericks, Palmerton, 181-7, ninth overall.

110 hurdles – Jordan Nelson, Palmerton, 15.65, second in preliminary heat, advances to semifinals.

1600 – Jake Martinez, Palmerton, 4:25.74, fourth in preliminary, advances to final.

Discus – Tyler Disbrow, Tamaqua, 121-9, 24th overall.

High jump – Shae Blasiak, Lehighton, 6-0, 13th overall; Zach Moyer, Northern Lehigh, 5-10, tied for 14th.

800 – Derian Stianche, Tamaqua, 2:06.42, 10th in preliminary heat, does not advance to finals; Jake Martinez, Palmerton, 2:22.20, 14th in preliminary heat, does not advance to finals.

200 – Tahmir Spencer, Lehighton, 22.96, second in preliminary heat, advances to semifinals.

1600 relay – Tamaqua, 3:37.02, sixth in preliminary heat, does not advance.

CLASS 3A

100 – Jarrin Geisinger, Jim Thorpe, 11.48, sixth in preliminary heat, does not advance.

Triple jump – Justin St. Hill, Jim Thorpe, 40-7, 27th overall.

Shot put – William Munson, Jim Thorpe, 50-6 1/2, ninth overall.

800 - Samuel Hydro, Jim Thorpe, 2:01.96, 14th in preliminary heat, does not advance to finals.

200 – Nujai Walcott, Jim Thorpe, 22.94, fourth in preliminary heat, advances to semifinals.

1600 relay - Jim Thorpe, 3:35.04, fifth in preliminary heat, does not advance.