PIAA District 10 Championships
Who To Watch For: Brock Grundy (Hickory) & Connor Vass-Gal (Wilmington)
Why?: Two of the states top throwers hail from the same district and classification, providing what should be a great matchup two weeks in a row between Grundy and Vass-Gal. Grundy, a senior holds the state's top throw in the discus with a toss of 189-00, while Vass-Gal, a sophomore, leads the state in the shot put (64-04.75). Grundy is the reigning AA state champ in the discus, but he's improved in a big way into this season in the disc. Vass-Gal, meanwhile, has been one of the season's top breakthrough performers in the throws. Grundy was the indoor state champ in the shot put, as well.
What to expect: The pair have met on three occasions this spring, with Grundy capturing the win each time in the discus, while Vass-Gal was the shot champion each time. Expect these two to push each other to the limits in both events at Slippery Rock. Regardless of what happens at Saturday's District 10 Championships, these two will likely square off the shot put and discus again at the state meet, then with state titles on the line. It once again will be a can't miss matchup.
Others to watch for: Aryan Cotterman (AAA - Throws); Ben Howe-Jones (AAA - Hurdles); Christian Lewis (AA - Sprints); Isaac Lightcap (AA - Pole Vault); Caleb Mabins (AAA - Jumps); Connor McEwen (AA - Hurdles); Nick Murawski (AA - Sprints); Jacob Nelson (AA - Throws); Colton Osborne (AA - Jumps); Brian Phillips (AA - Jumps); Nate Price (AAA - Distance); Chase Sanford (AAA - Pole Vault); Jake Schneider (AA - Mid-Distance); Eric Schulz (AA - Throws); Nick Smither (AA - Javelin); Scott Stanyard (AAA - Sprints)
Who To Watch For: Maryann Ackerman (Slippery Rock Area)
Why?: She is the top-ranked AA javelin thrower in the state by nearly 10 feet. In D10-AA, Ackerman has a 25 feet advantage over the second-ranked girl. Her season best and PR of 147-5 came at the City of Hermitage Invitational in April and she'll be among the state favorites.
What to expect: Last year as a freshman, Ackerman had her breakthrough performance at the District 10 Championships in her backyard at SRU when she threw her then-PR of 124-2. She's much improved now, though. Earlier in the season at SRU at the Rock Relays she threw one of her 140+ throws, this one going 144-1, which should bode well for the sophomore when she returns on Saturday.
Others to watch for: Elizabeth Adams (AAA - Sprints); Anna Alberti (AAA - Distance); Aniyah Anderson (AA - Hurdles); Gianna Bedel (AA - High Jump); Paige Griffith (AA - High Jump); Maddison Hayes (AA - Distance); Gianna Labbiento (AA - Distance); Grace Mason (AA - Distance); Emma McDermott (AA - Jumps); Hope McQueeney (AAA - Jumps); Molly Piso (AA - Throws); Michaela Rose (AA - Sprints); Katie Wall (AAA - Sprints)