SHIPPENSBURG — Ryan Burkett ended his high school career the same way he spent most of his senior season: at the top of the podium.

The Palmerton senior won the Class 2A boys discus title Friday at the PIAA Track and Field Championships with a throw of 177 feet, 10 inches — capping a dominant year that included league, district, and now state gold. Burkett became the Bombers’ first boys state champion in the event since Bill Heydt claimed the title in 1963.

He was one of three area athletes to medal on Day 1 at Shippensburg University, joined by fellow Palmerton senior Nataly Walters, who placed second in the Class 3A triple jump, and Marian Catholic’s Jacob Tom, who earned a seventh-place finish in the Class 2A long jump.

Just moments after their events had wrapped up, Walters passed Burkett while he was on the infield giving a TV interview. She didn’t say anything — just gave him a quick thumbs-up. Burkett caught it, smiled, and kept going.

“We’re different — I’m a jumper, he’s a thrower — but we’re really alike in how we go after this,” Walters said. “We both want to be great. We work for it.”

Burkett entered the meet as the No. 1 seed after winning the Colonial League and District 11 titles, the latter with a record-breaking throw of 186-0. But even with the top mark in the field, the nerves were real — especially early on.

“There was a lot of pressure,” he said. “Everyone’s kind of looking at you. That first throw — 169-6 — helped settle me down and get one on the board.”

He followed it with a 175-10 on his second attempt, fouled on his third, then tossed 175-1 on his fourth. His best throw came on his fifth attempt — 177-10.

“I never had a throw that felt perfect off my hand, but I found a way,” he said. “I hit my points and just let it go.”

A key figure in Burkett’s development has been longtime throwing coach Kris Hoffner, whose influence on Palmerton athletes spans generations.

“Coach Hoffner’s helped so many of us,” Burkett said. “Whether you’re a top thrower or just starting out, he gives you his all. I’m proud to bring this title back to Palmerton, and I’m proud to do it with him.”

Burkett, who placed third at states last season, credited his growth to self-discipline and year-round training — including offseason lifting, technique work, and solo sessions in the gym and at the circle.

“I realized pretty early that I might be good at this,” he said. “So I went all in.”

He plans to continue his academic and athletic career at East Stroudsburg University, where he’ll study engineering and compete in track and field. He’s also preparing to compete at nationals later this summer.

Walters finishes second in Class 3A triple jump

Walters added to her own impressive resume with a second-place finish in the Class 3A triple jump.

The senior jumped 39 feet, 8 inches to earn silver — her third consecutive podium finish in the event. She won as a sophomore and was runner-up last year in Class 2A. This season marked her first in Class 3A, and she faced a deep and unfamiliar field.

“I think this medal probably means the most,” Walters said. “Just because it was Triple-A. I competed against girls I’ve never seen before, from huge schools. We’re Palmerton — we didn’t know what to expect, but I’m proud of how we showed up.”

She finished behind Souderton’s Destini Smith, who soared to the title with a jump of 42-7. Walters, who entered tied for the No. 2 seed at 40-4, opened with a 39-3½ and recorded a 39-3 on her first attempt of finals. Her best mark — 39-8 — came on her fifth jump and second of finals. She closed with a 39-2½.

“That was actually my PR from sophomore year,” she said of 39-8. “Kind of a full-circle moment.”

At one point, Walters trailed State College’s Sanai Abdullah, who held second with a 39-5. Walters passed her with her 39-8 leap, bumping Abdullah to third.

Even in competition, there was support. Walters said Smith offered her a quick tip before her final two jumps.

“She told me I was rushing my last phase — just said, ‘Hang in the air a little longer,’” Walters said. “And I did. And I hit 39-8. That meant a lot.”

Walters had also hoped to reach the U20 qualifying mark of 41 feet to potentially compete at nationals in Oregon. When that mark didn’t come, her focus shifted to placement.

“I told myself, ‘Forget 41, forget 40 — just beat 39-5,’” she said. “And I did. I’m really proud of that.”

She’ll compete again Saturday in the Class 3A long jump — an event she’s won the past two years in Class 2A. She enters as the No. 4 seed and hopes to close out her high school career with a third straight title.

“If I’m in it head, heart, and toes — and the weather holds — I believe I can win,” she said.

She also competed in the 400 relay prelims Friday with Sarah Sabo, Claire Thomas and Erin Gombert. The team didn’t advance to the finals, but it was another opportunity to represent Palmerton on the big stage.

“I didn’t have anyone to really talk to out on the field,” she said, “but I looked up and saw 10 familiar faces. That made all the difference.”

Tom earns state medal in Class 2A long jump

Marian Catholic junior Jacob Tom capped his season by stepping onto the state podium for the first time, placing seventh in the Class 2A boys long jump with a leap of 21 feet, 11½ inches.

Tom, seeded 12th entering the competition, hit his best mark on his first jump.

“That helped so much,” Tom said. “It took the pressure off right away and let me focus on the rest of my jumps.”

He won the Schuylkill League title and placed second at the District 11 Championships to earn his trip to states, where he competed with poise and confidence.

“This was like nothing I’ve ever been part of before,” he said. “The nerves were definitely there, but I stayed calm. It was the biggest stage I’ve competed on — and I’m so happy I came through.”

Tom credited his offseason work and his coaches for helping him build confidence and consistency.

“A few weeks into the season, things just started to click,” he said. “I worked hard and trusted the process — and to be on the podium now, it’s an amazing feeling.”

TIMES NEWS AREA RESULTS

• Boys Discus (AA) – 1. Ryan Burkett (Palmerton), 177-10

• Girls Triple Jump (AAA) – 2. Nataly Walters (Palmerton), 39-8

• Boys 400 (AAA) – 31. Kayden Spence (Jim Thorpe), 50.96, does not advance

• Boys 400 Relay (AA) – 23. Pleasant Valley (Alex Bunting, Royce Thompson, Justin Delgado, Jareal Moore), 43.44, does not advance

• Girls High Jump (AA) – 21(t). Kali Grochowski (Marian), 4-10

• Girls 400 (AA) – 27. Alizabeth Pikitus (Marian), 1:04.86, does not advance

• Girls Discus (AA) – 9. Anna Trelease (No. Lehigh), 115-1

• Girls Javelin (AA) – 22. Anna Trelease (Northern Lehigh), 94-7

• Girls 100 (AAA) – 24. Erin Gombert (Palmerton), 12.78, does not advance

• Girls 400 Relay (AAA) – 15. Palmerton (Claire Thomas, Nataly Walters, Sarah Sabo, Erin Gombert), 49.45, does not advance

• Girls Pole Vault (AAA) – Samantha Plasha (Tamaqua), no height

• Boys 110 Hurdles (AA) – 17. Jake Rutkowitz (Palmerton), 15.61, does not advance

• Boys Long Jump (AA) – 7. Jacob Tom (Marian), 21-11.5; 10(t). Jake Rutkowitz (Palmerton), 21-5

• Boys 200 (AAA, Prelims) – 25. Jareal Moore (Pleasant Valley), 22.92, does not advance