AA Boys Shot Put Preview
The gold is his for the taking for Connor Vass-Gal. The Wilmington shot put standout has been so close yet so far from the top in statewide competitions, but that appears ready to change as the state's best head to Shippensburg.
In his specialty and in the discus, the Youngstown State signee had compiled several runner-up finishes in state meets indoors and out and at the district level. He swept the heavy throws in District 10 on Saturday and also is ready to break a string of No. 2 finishes dating back to the 2019 PIAA final, where his 60-foot, 1.5-inch put was 8 inches shy of the mark by Hickory's Brock Grundy. He moved a fraction closer in the 2020 indoor final, throwing an indoor best 63-11.75 and losing to Fleetwood's Jeff Kline by 7.75 inches.
Vass-Gal's blockbuster series at Slippery Rock University last Saturday included 2 lifetime bests and moved him to No. 5 on PA MileSplit's all-time list. This year's US#4 performer only trails legendary 70-footers Jordan Geist, Ron Semkiw and Ryan Whiting and District 10 record holder Evan Blaire.
J'Ven Williams of Wyomissing hit a big PR of 57-6.75 three weeks ago to move to No. 2 on the AA list for 2021 and also grabbed the District 3 title. The sophomore is one of only two underclassmen over 50 feet this year in AA. Coudersport senior Cale Ayers put himself in contention for a lofty perch on the awards podium with his 57-2.25 PR victory in District 9.
ENTRIES:
Event 616 Boys Shot Put AA
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NFHS Record: 77-00 1979 Michael Carter, D JeffersonHS,TX
PIAA Record: 64-10.75 2007 Joe Kovacs, Bethlehem Cath 11
NFHS Hnr Rol: 61-00
49-06.00 SQS
Name Year School Seed Mark Finals
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1 Vass-Gal, Connor 12 Wilmington 10 66-06.75 SQS
2 Ayers, Cale 12 Coudersport 09 57-02.25 SQS
3 Miles, Mitch 12 Laurel 07 53-11.50 SQS
4 Williams, J'Ven 10 Wyomissing 03 52-03.00 SQS
5 Faber, Luke 12 Reynolds 10 51-03.50 SQS
6 Waltman, Nathan 12 Karns City 09 49-09.50 SQS
7 Angelo, Josh 11 Mid Valley 02 49-05.00
8 Jackson, Matt 12 New Brighton 07 49-04.75
9 Morningstar, Chad 12 Tussey Mtn 05 49-04.50
10 Kelley, Matt 10 Mount Carmel 04 48-02.75
11 Wertz, Joe 12 Bellwood Ant 06 47-10.50
12 Hribal, Ray 12 Southmoreland 07 47-10.00
13 Mider, Brady 9 Berks Cath 03 47-09.50
14 Sharp, Teagan 12 Homer Center 06 47-07.50
15 Lenhart, Ryan 12 Shenango 07 47-05.75
16 Ferrucci, Colton 11 Shenango 07 47-05.00
17 Carter, Garrett 12 Cent Columbia 04 46-11.00
18 Morro, Zach 12 Pen Argyl 11 46-10.75
19 Batche, Bryce 12 Richland 06 46-07.50
20 Mruk, Drew 9 Wyoming Area 02 44-02.50
21 Johnson, Debrick 11 Conwell-Egan 12 41-03.25
22 Silver, Anthony 11 Bristol 01 40-05.25
23 Kelly, Jah 12 Conwell-Egan 12 37-09.00
24 Walker, Brendan 12 Conwell-Egan 12 37-00.75