WHITEHALL - Jim Thorpe’s Laura Clarke was nearly speechless.

A quartet of Northwestern boys stood in astonishment.

They’re the type of reactions that are never in short supply at the District 11 Track and Field Championships.

So is the euphoria that comes with success at the event.

Clarke and the Tiger boys stood on the top step of the podium during the first day of competition at Whitehall’s Zephyr Sports Complex on Tuesday after coming away with well-earned district titles. The victories also earned them a trip to Shippensburg for the PIAA Track and Field Championships on Memorial Day weekend.

Clarke won the Class 3A shot put, while the team of Samuel Bower, Matthew Santana, Cole Chukoskie, and Nathan Vincent won the 3A 3200 relay for Northwestern.

Their results highlighted the first day of districts, which saw several more area athletes punch their ticket to states, and others qualify for today’s finals.

Big ‘shot’

Clarke won the shot put with a mark of 37-0.75.

“I’m so happy with how I performed,” she said. “I have been breaking my PR every week for the last three weeks, which I have been very happy with. I knew today I could get 37-feet - and I did. I’m so close to our school record.”

The school mark that Clarke is chasing is 37-10.

“I’ve just been going hard at practices, staying focused and knowing what I want,” said Clarke. “I’m just going in and trying my best. That’s all I can do.”

She didn’t wait to hit her best mark Tuesday.

“My first throw was my best throw, which felt amazing. I felt powerful. I felt strong, I felt good. I felt my feet. Everything was right.”

Clarke thrived on the competition, which included Liberty’s Tamia Bruce, who finished in second with a mark of 36-9.75. “The girl at Liberty was throwing really well, and she was making me nervous,” Clarke said. “But the competition, I love it. Love it.

“I’m just excited to see what I can do at states, and to see what everyone else does. It’s a new field... a lot more competition. I just have to go out there and do what I can.”

Clarke has a chance for more success today as the top seed in the discus.

Team Tiger

Bower, Santana, Chukoskie and Vincent won the 3200 relay with a time of 8:19.52, just ahead of Emmaus (8:20.05).

“Coming into it, we knew we had a chance,” said Bower. “We knew it was going to be tough, and we were going to have to give everything we have. We’re just so excited that we were able to get it done. Obviously, it was a close race and we were nervous at some points, but we were able to pull through.”

“Going into this race, we talked about how we were so nervous,” said Chukoskie, “but we got the job done today, and that’s what matters.”

The group didn’t flinch with the race coming down to the wire.

“Our chemistry is great,” said Vincent. “We’ve bonded as best friends through running - a sport we love and something we do almost every day. We’ve kind of had this pact together, just trying to succeed, just us as Northwestern.”

Competing in a loaded 3A field, the group put New Tripoli on the map. It’s a chance they’ll relish once again next week in Shippensburg.

“We’re going to go out there and hopefully get a PR and just have fun and have a good last race,” said Santana.

A trip to ‘Shipp’

Four area athletes qualified for states with runner-up finishes Tuesday.

Marian’s Carly Minchhoff (javelin) and Palmerton’s Nataly Walters (long jump) advanced in Class 2A, while Jim Thorpe’s Kaila O’Connor (300 hurdles) and Katrin Cavanaugh (pole vault) qualified in 3A.

Minchhoff threw 108-1 to place second in the javelin. Katelyn Shoemaker of Palisades won with a throw of 108-3.

The Marian sophomore has made huge strides in the event in a short period of time.

“I’m very happy,” said Minchhoff. “It’s only my third time throwing in a meet. So it’s very exciting.

“My coach kind of threw me in at the Mahanoy meet, and I started working with a family friend, John Kotchmar. My first throw I think I got like 83-feet, and now my best is 112-feet.

She had no problem delivering when the pressure was on Tuesday.

“I think it was my last throw, or second to last throw,” Minchhoff said of her best mark. “And I usually bend too far over when I throw, but I was able to stay up more. I had like 97-feet before that, so I was at the very bottom of finals.

“But I ran the 200, came back and (had a couple of big throws). I was not expecting to go to states at all. I’m just very excited.”

And Minchhoff appears to just be scratching the surface.

“I’m just doing the basics. I only do step-overs; I’m not even doing a run-up,” she said. “So once I get the run-up down, I think I’ll be able to do even better.”

Walters qualified for states in the long jump with a mark of 17-8.25.

“I’m really excited. I hit the mark, and I’m even more excited I got second place,” said Walters, who was seeded second. “No one likes to lose, but I’m excited to get a second chance (at states), and hopefully I can get a PR and do really good.

“It pushes me a lot. I really don’t like to lose at all, and I’m really hard on myself about it. But getting second here will push me even harder at states. I’m really looking forward to that. Of course I’m going to be nervous, but (IT) should help me jump further.”

Walters ran a 12.83 to qualify for finals in the 100, and also qualified for the finals in the 200, running a 26.44. Teammate Emma Christman also made the final in the 200 with a time of 28.20.

“Tomorrow, I’m a little nervous,” said Walters, who will also be competing in the triple jump, where she is the second seed. “Having three finals, that’s really going to determine what I go to states for and how much I’m going to have. Whatever happens, happens.

“I’m just going to do my best and hope for states in all four events. But if that doesn’t happen, I’ll be OK with it. I’m glad I’m going for at least long jump. I did PR by a 1/4 of an inch, so I’m happy about that.”

Olympian achievements

Cavanaugh tied for second with Liberty’s Annika Flanigan in the pole vault, clearing 10-0, as both advanced to states.

“I wasn’t really sure since there was a lot of talking going on about what would happen because normally only two people go,” said Cavanaugh. “So I wasn’t sure if it would be three.

“I was a little disappointed I didn’t get the height I wanted since my PR is about six inches higher; I was hoping to surpass that today. But I am glad I was able to make it to states and get another chance to do that.

“I had a lot of pressure on myself to get into that second-place position because I was seeded third. So I really thought it was possible. I was a little nervous, but I wasn’t overly stressing about it. I was just really happy when we found out that I made it to states this year since I am a junior. I was like, ‘Wow, that happened.’”

Cavanaugh said her background has helped her reach new heights in the event.

“Pole vault has also been my main event; I’ve focused on it for a couple of years now, so I really push myself to get new heights and reach new levels.

“Since I did gymnastics and rock climbing growing up, that gives me a lot of the agility and strength in my upper body that some other girls don’t have. So that helps.”

O’Connor qualified for states in the 300 hurdles with a second-place finish in 45.73. She was just behind Easton’s Maggie Scalzo, who won in 45.71.

The sophomore also ran a 12.29 to advance to the finals in the 100, and a 25.47 to reach the 200 finals.

Reaching the finals

A number of other area athletes have a chance to earn trips to Shippensburg after their preliminary round performances on Tuesday.

In the 100 hurdles, Northwestern’s Faith Yost (15.74), Pleasant Valley’s De’Nair Drew (15.86) and Lehighton’s Brittney Bartasavage (16.15) all advanced to the finals in Class 3A.

Jim Thorpe’s David Richards ran a 16.27 to qualify for the 110 hurdle finals in 3A.

In Class 2A, Marian’s Jacob Fenstermaker (11.21), Northern Lehigh’s Trevor Amorim (11.46) and Brett Misera (11.62) all advanced to the 100 finals.

Meanwhile, Amorim (23.40), Fenstermaker (23.54), Palmerton’s Dominic Kintz (23.62), Lucas Heydt (23.75) and Devon White (23.89) all qualified for the 200 finals.

Palmerton’s Bryson Walters (15.87), Justin Herrmann (16.35) and Reilly Burke (17.61) all advanced to the 110 hurdle finals, as did Northern Lehigh’s Chase Jones (18.38).

Fellin ‘hurtin’

Marian senior Mike Fellin - second at states in the event a year ago - tried to run through a left hamstring injury but was unable to compete at 100% and did not advance.

“That’s it. That’s all I’ve got. It’s heartbreaking,” said an emotional Fellin, who finished with a time of 12.39. “But my mom always taught me, you’ve got to praise God in the rain. You have to do what you have to do. You have to move on.

“I felt it right out of the first step. Jake (Fenstermaker) kept asking me, ‘What do you got? What do you got? How you feeling?’ I was like, ‘I’ve got five steps in me, and then it’s gone.’ It caught up to me.”

Fellin, the Times News/Lehigh Valley Health Network Track and Field Athlete of the Year last spring, initially injured his hamstring during the indoor season in December, and aggravated it last week at leagues in winning the 400 relay.

The senior noted that he had nearly a week of rest ahead of districts, with treatments and stretching mixed in. Fellin was the top seed in the event with a time of 10.77.

“I wasn’t running that much during the regular season,” Fellin said. “I was doing the 400 relay. I missed two meets because of other things going on, but I was usually just running the 100, and sometimes the 200. I felt fine. It took me a while to warm up ... maybe tomorrow, if I rest up tonight and get the proper care, I’ll come back tomorrow. That’s my plan.”

A year ago, Fellin won district titles in the 100, 200 and the 400 relay, with the latter placing seventh at states.

While Fellin won’t be in the 100 final, Fenstermaker will.

“Jake’s got it tomorrow,” said Fellin. “And I’ll be right there in his corner watching the whole time.”

Action resumes today for track and field events at 3 p.m.

District 11 Track and Field Championships

Class 2A

Boys

Team Legend

Allentown Central Catholic (ACC), Catasauqua (C), Lincoln Leadership Academy (LLA), Mahanoy Area (MA), Marian Catholic (MC), Minersville (M), Nativity BVM (N), Northern Lehigh (NL), Palisades (Pali), Palmerton (Palm), Panther Valley (PV), Pen Argyl (PA), Pine Grove (PG), Salisbury (S), Schuylkill Haven (SH), Shenandoah Valley (SV), Weatherly (W).

Individual Results

3200 - 1. Thomas Smigo (Pali) 9:50.03*, 2. Landon Boyle (M) 9:50.62, 3. Mitchell Campbell (Pali) 10:08.31, 5. Jacob Parker (W) 10:35.68, 6. Albin Petschauer (MC) 10:40.24, 7. Jared Thomason (NL) 10:45.59, 10. Aaron Simpson (Palm) 10:59.58; 300H - 1. Bryce Guthier (Pali) 42.06*, 2. Colm McGroarty (MA) 42.07, 3. Cody Miller (N) 42.47, 4. Bryson Walters (Palm) 42.60, 6. Reilly Burke (Palm) 44.37, 7. Justin Herrmann (Palm) 44.49; 3200 relay - 1. Allentown Central Catholic 8:24.65*, 2. Weatherly (Frankie Willis, Michael Berger, Ricky Ray, Jacob Parker) 8:33.34; Long jump - 1. Wyatt Younes (C) 20-11.5*, 2. Chase Fenstermaker (S) 20-11.5*, 3. Jason Cullen (M) 20-7.5, 4. Stephen Jones (Palm) 20-6.75, 8. Harrison Dailey (Palm) 19-4.75; Javelin - 1. Dean Bartels (Pali) 150-2*, 2. (tie) Alex Konze (Palm) and Harrison Dailey (Palm) 149-1, 4. Lucas Heydt (Palm) 147-6, 6. Brad Jones (PV) 140-6, 8. Dylan Moyer (NL) 127-7, 9. Bailey Smith (NL) 124-6; Discus - 1. Dean Bartels (Pali) 133-7*, 2. Hunter Bleam (S) 131-7, 3. Cole Dorshimer (PA) 127-0, 5. Jesse Rodino (MC) 123-6, 6. James Rodino (MC) 122-9, 7. Zack Anthony (Palm) 120-8; High jump

- 1. Hunter Bleam (S) 5-11*, 2. Jose Ramirez (MC) 5-11, 3. Killian Skocik (PG) 5-11, 6. Jeremy Salvaggio (Palm) 5-7, 10. (tie) Logan Fritz (MC) and two others 5-3.

Girls

Team Legend

Allentown Central Catholic (ACC), Catasauqua (C), Mahanoy Area (MA), Marian Catholic (MC), Minersville (M), Nativity BVM (N), Northern Lehigh (NL), North Schuylkill (NS), Notre Dame GP (ND), Palisades (Pali), Palmerton (Palm), Panther Valley (PV), Pen Argyl (PA), Pine Grove (PG), Salisbury (S), Schuylkill Haven (SH), Shenandoah Valley (SV), Weatherly (W).

Individual Results

3200 - 1. Ryley Schwalm (NS) 11:57.41*, 2. Izzy Kehoe-Huck (ACC) 12:26.62*, 3. Katie McCormick (NS) 12:35.13, 8. Delaney Szwast (NL) 13:43.76; 300H - 1. Abigail Frew (PG) 49.85*, 2. Ellianna Wallbillich (PA) 50.63*, 3. Isabella Santoa (ND) 51.92, 7. Samantha Perloni (Palm) 54.03; 3200 relay - 1. Notre Dame GP 10:05.77*, 2. North Schuylkill 10:15.74*, 3. Palisades 10:26.13; Discus - 1. Katelyn Shoemaker (Pali) 107-7*, 2. Randi Wood (SV) 103-9*, 3. Caitlin Kirk (NL) 96-0, 10. Zoe Salter (MC) 80-6; High jump - 1. Paige Casterline (Pali) 5-0*, 2. Lexie Chilinskis (MA) 5-0*, 3. Brooke Bleam (S) 5-0, 4. (tie) Zoe Hathaway (NL) and Jacqueline Buchanan (SV) 4-10, 6. Emma Snyder (Palm) 4-10, 7. Cadence Whalen (NL) 4-10, 9. (tie) Keona Dyer (NL), Eliza Bauder (MC) and seven others 4-4; Javelin - 1. Katelyn Shoemaker (Pali) 108-3*, 2. Carly Minchhoff (MC) 108-1*, 3. Hannah Leninger (PG) 106-2, 7. Sadie Trubilla (PV) 98-2; Long jump

- 1. Devin Hubler (M) 18-3*, 2. Nataly Walters (Palm) 17-8.25*, 3. Makaili Donmoyer (PG) 16-6.75, 5. Kendall Snyder (NL) 15-9.50, 6. Rhianne Markovchick (W) 15-6.50, 8. Emma Christman (Palm) 15-3.50.

Class 3A

Boys

Team Legend

Bangor (B), Dieruff (D), Easton (Ea), East Stroudsburg North (ESN), East Stroudsburg South (ESS), Emmaus (Em), Freedom (F), Jim Thorpe (JT), Lehighton (Leh), Liberty (Lib), Nazareth (Na), Northampton (No), North Schuylkill (NS), Northwestern Lehigh (NW), Notre Dame GP (ND), Parkland (P), Pleasant Valley (PV), Pocono Mountain West (PMW), Saucon Valley (SV), Southern Lehigh (SL), Stroudsburg (S), Tamaqua (T), Whitehall (W).

Individual Results

3200 - 1. Alex Kane (SL) 9:38.66*, 2. Dominik Lisicky (SL) 9:48.54*, 3. Matthew Santana (NW) 9:53.61, 4. Cole Chukoskie (NW) 9:54.55, 8. Samuel Bower (NW) 10:04.68; 300H - 1. Shaun Apsley (No) 39.80*, 2. Jake Hilarczyk (Na) 40.49*, 3. Joseph Phillips (ND) 41.05; 3200 relay - 1. Northwestern (Samuel Bower, Matthew Santana, Cole Chukoskie, Nathan Vincent) 8:19.52*, 2. Emmaus 8:20.05*, 3. Pleasant Valley (Tyler Akob, Raymond Lursen, Aidan Green, Brandon Makara) 8:23.24, 6. Jim Thorpe (Ryan Bailor, Jordan Remmel, Ivan Turczeniuk, Ridge Snyder) 8:30.15; Triple jump - 1. Michael Lawerence (PMW) 45-4.75*, 2. Samuel Chedester (Ea) 45-0*, 3. Kyle Moore (Em) 44-6.75; Pole Vault - 1. Aiden Hurlburt (Em) 14-3*, 2. Andrew Brinker (S) 13-9*, 3. Tyler Grabinski (Em) 13-3, 4. Aiden Clements (JT) 12-9, 6. Cayden Kuhns (NW) 12-3; Shot put

- 1. Ron Blake (ESS) 49-10.75*, 2. Anthony Liguori (S) 48-2*, 3. Dylan Krugh (B) 47-0.75, 10. Richard Houser (Leh) 41-11.

Girls

Team Legend

Bangor (B), Dieruff (D), Easton (Ea), East Stroudsburg North (ESN), East Stroudsburg South (ESS), Emmaus (Em), Freedom (F), Jim Thorpe (JT), Lehighton (Leh), Liberty (Lib), Nazareth (Na), Northampton (No), North Schuylkill (NS), Northwestern Lehigh (NW), Notre Dame GP (ND), Parkland (P), Pleasant Valley (PV), Pocono Mountain West (PMW), Saucon Valley (SV), Southern Lehigh (SL), Stroudsburg (S), Tamaqua (T), Whitehall (W)

Individual Results

3200 - 1. Hailey Reinhard (Em) 11:24.98*, 2. Avaline Fihlman (F) 11:28.44*, 3. Emily Stock (SL) 11:38.80; 300H - 1. Maggie Scalzo (Ea) 45.71*, 2. Kaila O’Connor (JT) 45.73*, 3. Jayla Reinert (Ea) 46.14, 4. Faith Yost (NW) 46.78, 5. DeNair Drew (PV) 46.83, 8. Brittney Bartasavage (Leh) 49.79; 3200 relay - 1. Easton 9:48.31*, 2. Parkland 9:48.72*, 3. Southern Lehigh 10:04.55, 8. Pleasant Valley (Danielle Boland, Katelyn Holadel, Kaitlyn Guzman, Hailey Klein) 10:48.40, 9. Jim Thorpe (Aubrey Bonner, Katelyn Bos, Megan Rosahac, Nicole Carroll) 10:50.73, 10. Lehighton (Brielle Frable, Gianna Sube, Cecilia Sarnowski, Katie Wojton) 10:55.05; Pole Vault - 1. Coral Shivok (P) 11-9*, 2. (tie) Katrin Cavanaugh (JT) and Annika Flanigan (Lib) 10-0*, 4. Reese Ruggiero (PV) 9-6, 7. Ashley Haas (NW) 8-6, 8. Grace Yost (NW) and Chloe Lawrence (PMW) 8-6; Shot put - 1. Laura Clarke (JT) 37-0.75*, 2. Tamia Bruce (Lib) 36-9.75*, 3. Celis Miranda (ESN) 35-2.25, 4. Kaziah Steisel (T) 34-3, 9. Katie Brensinger (NW) 32-1.25; Triple jump

- 1. Grace Nation (P) 37-10*, 2. Brooke Rawls (L) 37-1*, 3. Danika Bolinsky (BM) 36-2.75, 6. Megan Aaron (Leh) 34-5.75.