On May 11, Mansion Park hosted the middle school championships. The invitational started with the 4 x 8 at 10 a.m. and ended with the 4 x 4 3:30 p.m.

“Going into championships, I felt pretty confident with my team and myself. We all worked hard to qualify and be a part of this invitational,” eighth grader Maura Kiser said.

At championships Kiser took a first in the 4 x 1, 4 x 4 and the 400 meter run.

“I was very happy with how I competed in the 4 x 8 and 4 x 4,” eighth grader Taylor Lane said.

Lane got third in the 4 x 8 and first in the 4 x 4.

“I prepared for championships by going to track practice and making sure I rest well. Coach Solomon was truly an amazing coach and really helped me this track season,” Kiser said.

There were 34 middle school teams that competed in championships. Some of the teams included Hollidaysburg, State College, Bellefonte, Tyrone and more.

“I wasn’t really focused on any one particular, I just wanted to keep a positive mindset,” eighth grader Tyson Reid said.

Reid was ranked number one going into the 110 meter hurdles.

“We are working individually with the throwers that have qualified so they could compete well in their events,” throwing coach Jeffery Shultz said.

A first year shot putter, Kaden Myers took a first in his event.

“I knew I wasn’t going to place in anything I just wanted to get my personal bests in my events,”eighth grade jumper Ryan Hopkins said.

Both girls and boys went undefeated throughout their seasons.

“I would have been very disappointed if we would have not won because this was a very talented group of young ladies,” head girls’ coach Sam Solomon said.