PIAA TRACK AND FIELD: Mid Valley’s Thomas captures state title in triple jump

SHIPPENSBURG — Olivia Thomas ended a miserable day weather-wise in the absolute best way.

The Mid Valley freshman landed a triple jump of 39 feet, 11.5 inches on a wickedly cold day with steady rain to capture the gold medal in the girls Class 2A meet at the PIAA Track and Field Championships on Saturday at Shippensburg University.

In her final event in an award-winning weekend, Thomas hopped up onto the top step for the first time in her career and the third time in two days. She won silver medals in the long jump on Friday and in the 100 hurdles earlier Saturday, and accounted for all of Mid Valley’s 26 points.

“This is absolutely amazing,” Thomas said. “Knowing all of the work that I put into this has paid off, and it showed with this medal. I want to keep working hard and continue to improve and maybe get another one next year.”

The weather was bad all day, with cool temperatures and persistent rain, but that didn’t slow Thomas.

Despite landing in a pit of sand that was hardened by the rain, she ran to the area where athletes get water after races to clean off. Thomas started her series with a 38-11. After fouling on her second attempt, she launched herself to her winning distance that held up through the final round.

Grove City Area’s Milena Sciullo was the closest challenger. She went 39-4.5 on her fifth attempt, and when her distance of 38-7.5 was announced following her last attempt, Mid Valley coaches started to celebrate.

Then, Thomas finished her final event with a distance of 39-7.5.

“It felt really good, especially with the conditions of the sandpit,” Thomas said. “Honestly, it felt like I was just jumping onto the turf. But you have to adjust to the conditions. I did the best that I could.

“I really felt excited and put all of my effort into every jump.”

Montrose’s Sadie Jones also competed in the triple jump. She added to her medal in the javelin Friday by finishing seventh at 37-1.25, which she marked on her third attempt.

“I feel really pleased with how I did,” Jones said. “I am really proud of how I pushed myself.”

Thomas started her Day 2 with a silver-medal-winning effort in the 100-meter hurdles.

She posted the fastest qualifying time Friday, but in the final, West Catholic junior Amarah Crabbe darted to a win in 14.23 seconds. Thomas went stride-for-stride with the champion and clocked a career-best 14.32.

“I couldn’t have wished for anything better,” Thomas said. “I have had so many people supporting me: all of my teammates, my coaches and my family. Knowing that I was here and able to compete here is just amazing.”

Medal winners

Lakeland’s Kaylyn Davis was a part of the 100-meter hurdles final with Thomas. She placed eighth to win a medal in 15.61 seconds.

“I am very happy and proud of myself,” Davis said. “It is nice to see all of the training come together, and I made the final in both hurdle races. I was a little disappointed in the time; I probably could have gotten out better from the blocks. Making the state final is an accomplishment, and I am proud of that.”

In the final event of her career, last season’s Times-Tribune Girls Track and Field Performer of the Year earned a seventh-place medal in the 300 hurdles in 46.70.

Wyomissing Area’s Lily Paolini won gold in 43.62.

“It’s been so great,” said Davis, who is headed to Slippery Rock University. “Running for Lakeland has been great. Coach Chet (Anuszewski) and Coach Lee Romich in the javelin have helped me a lot. Looking back at my career, I can be satisfied, but I want more as I head to Slippery Rock.”

Lakeland’s Bria Hill won an eighth-place medal in the girls Class 2A 400 in 59.51. Winchester Thurston’s DaShae Cochran won in 56.55.

“I told myself that my one goal this season was to place at states, and I did that,” Hill said. “I can’t be mad at that. It isn’t the place I wanted, so now it is about getting back in the gym and training hard to come back next year and do a little bit better.”