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P.O. Female Athlete of the Week: McKenzie Gelvin


Now in her third sports season this year, it seems like there is nothing McKenzie Gelvin can't do. She was the leading scorer for the Forbes Road field hockey team and the Cardinals' girls basketball team, and now, she's in the front of the pack again - quite literally.

Gelvin kicked off the first full week of track & field season by knocking off the first thing on any track runners to-do list: qualify for districts. She claimed three first-place finishes in the first track meet of the year, with all of her times qualifying for districts. But she also qualified for the end of the year meet in the long jump, an event that she just started competing in this year.

She is the Public Opinion Female Athlete of the Week.

Last year, Gelvin won the District 5 title in the 800 while competing for McConnellsburg via a co-op program, and inked her place in Forbes Road's rival's record book by breaking the McConnellsburg school record in the 800.

"She is an asset to our track team," McConnellsburg girls coach Joni Dunkle said. "Her dedication and the hours that she puts in is above and beyond, and obviously it shows in her events."

But this year she has eyes on another race and another record. Now forgoing the 800 to complete in the 400 and 200 races, Gelvin hopes to break McConnellsburg's record in the 400, and compete for a district title in her other two sprints.

Gelvin said, "I definitely want to get districts in the 400 and I'd like to also win districts in the 100 and the 200, but I know there are some quick sprinters out there, so it will be a challenge."

She was also the only McConnellsburg competitor to attend the Igloo Invitational held at Altoona High School, with a number of the state's top competitors. She came home with a gold medal in the 400 with a time of 59.63, and placed fifth in the 100 and seventh in the 200.

Gelvin said, "It's really good experience because at the big invitationals there are several teams, and I'm running against the best and people I'll see at states."

"She runs as an individual just to better herself," Dunkle said. "She is willing to go out there and run against other top runners. I know with her dedication and what she puts in she is going to shine this year."

McKenzie Gelvin, McConnellsburg track & field

Sport: Track & field

Events: 100, 200, 400, long jump.

Grade: Junior

Height: 5-foot-5

Parents: Jeff and Stacy Gelvin 

Other interests: Gelvin plays field hockey and girls basketball for Forbes Road. She is also a part of the National Honor Society and likes to ride horses (she has 10). 

Favorite team: Boston Celtics  

Future plans: She wants to go to school to become a physical therapist, and hopes to run track in college.

Statistics: Gelvin won the 100, 200 and 400, and placed second in the long jump at McConnellsburg's tri-meet against Northern Bedford and Conemaugh Township ... All three of her finishes qualified for districts ... She was also the only McConnellsburg representative at the Igloo Invitational, winning the 400.