LOYSBURG — It was a banner day for a bevy of Somerset County athletes at the District 5 Track and Field Championships on Wednesday at Northern Bedford's Panther Community Stadium.
Thirteen county competitors won D5 gold, earning trips to the PIAA championships.
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Conemaugh Township junior Jackson Sotosky repeated as champ in the high jump (6-3). He was also victorious in the triple jump (42-11½) and long jump (21-09½), leading a talented Somerset County contingent of winners.
"I came in today ranked second for the triple jump and first for the high and long. It's just very exciting coming out here, winning all of my events, getting to move on to states and showcase my capability at states," Sotosky said.
Sotosky's teammate, senior Dominik Hanik was victorious in the 800 meters, finishing in 2:03.20 to earn his first trip to states.
The Conemaugh Township 4x100 relay of Garrett Tunstall, Cameron Dunn, Jon Updyke and Dillon Defibaugh finished second with a state qualifying time to advance.
Meyersdale senior Tristin Ohler continued his dominance this season, winning both the 100- and 200-meter dash. He broke the school record in the 100 with a time of 10.89. He followed that up with a 22.04 in the 200. Ohler qualified for states in both events last year, finishing fifth in the 200. Winning two D5 golds was much sweeter than last year's runner-up finishes.
"This feels good," the West Liberty University recruit said. "There's a lot of good competition. The whole day was good with PR's and school records. Everything was nice. I tied my record (in the 100) six times. The prelim was my sixth time. I finally broke it in the final."
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Meyersdale junior Jordan Synowietz launched the discus 152 feet to win gold and ink a spot in the state championships.
Windber senior Joseph McKelvey, who always shows up in the big meets, won the 1600 in 4:35.05 and defended his 3200 title in 10:22.40. He made the 3200 look easy this year after losing his shoe on Lap 5 of the race a season ago.
"This is really exciting, just awesome weather for today," McKelvey said. "Lot of good competition as always. I really enjoy getting to be here. It was really fun. I am looking forward to the competition at states and hopefully PR."
Fellow Windber senior Lukas Betcher hurled the javelin 165-09 to pull off an upset, besting defending champ, Bryson Hetz (155-09) of Meyersdale.
Somerset's Tucker Mostoller took first in the shot put competition. The sophom*ore won with a throw of 42-5¼.
Bedford (110) brought home the team title ahead of Meyersdale (98) and Everett (73).
On the girls' side, Conemaugh Township junior Izzy Slezak and Somerset freshman Emily Fisher each picked up a pair of individual wins.
Slezak broke her District 5 meet record set last year in the 200 in 25.27. She also took first in the 100 dash in 12.27.
"This feels really good, especially having more of my team with me this year," Slezak said of going back to states. "I am really excited. States is a great opportunity, so I hope I run well. I'm hoping to go to there and run my best times."
Ellie Speigle, a Johnstown Christian junior who competes in a co-op with Conemaugh Township, punched her ticket to states with a win in the 400, finishing in 59.94.
Conemaugh Township sophom*ore Baylee Sleek soared to a victory in the high jump. She set a new District 5 meet record, clearing 5-6.
Senior Katrina McCann also brought home a gold for Conemaugh Township in the javelin with a throw of 102-04, topping teammate Laikyn Reynolds.
Meanwhile, Fisher, coming off a third-place finish at the PIAA Cross Country Championships in the fall, outran the field in the 800 (2:23.12) and 1600 (5:11.70). Fisher set a new Somerset school record in the 1600 and broke her own record for the second time on Wednesday. She also finished second in the 3200.
"I've been working really hard. The competition has been so good," Fisher said. "I'm really proud of all of my teammates and grateful for them. I want to work on my times at states. You get pulled along in these bigger races and it brings your times down."
Somerset junior Kamryn Ross finished with a state qualifying time in the 100 dash to advance.
Berlin Brothersvalley senior Lynndee Ickes is headed to states for the first time, winning the 100 hurdles in 16.12. Ickes nearly won the competition a year ago but was edged at the finish. She left no doubt in her final D5 meet.
"It's just good to see all of my hard work pay off," Ickes said. "Last year, I was really close to (Bedford's Autumn) Becker. Everybody here is good competition. Everybody here has pushed me to get to where I am today, honestly.
"I've always wanted to go to states. I am looking forward to the experience and hopefully, I can place. I am excited to go."
Bedford (185) topped Conemaugh Township (107) and Somerset (97) for the team title.
The PIAA Track and Field Championships will take place May 24-25 at Seth Grove Stadium on the campus of Shippensburg University.
Adam Ripple is the Daily American sports editor. He can be reached at 814-444-5926. Follow him on X @ARipple_DAsport. Follow Daily American Sports on Facebook and @dailyamericanmedia on Instagram.
This article originally appeared on The Daily American: Somerset County athletes excel at District 5 track championships
