TRACK & FIELD: Pair of locals gunning for gold at District 5 Championships

LOYSBURG >> Ever since the Tim Cook Invitational kicked off the track & field season, Fannett-Metal's Tom Peppernick has been making waves in the area.

To begin the season, he captured an easy gold medal in the discus, and on Wednesday, he'll look to add to his resume.

At 3 p.m., Northern Bedford will become host to the District 5 Championships, and Peppernick holds a pair of top seeds heading into the event.

McConnellsburg's McKenzie Gelvin will also be gunning for gold, seeded first in both the 400 and 800.

While Peppernick has a strangehold on the field in the shot put — his seed mark is 47-6, more than three feet farther than anyone else — he is easily the favorite in the discus. Peppernick's top mark is 164-11, which is the best among all area competitors and is nearly 30 feet farther than the No. 2 seed in District 5.

Gelvin's top race is in the 800, where she is seeded at 2:24.08 after breaking the school record in that time two weeks ago. She is seeded three seconds faster than anyone else. In the 400, Gelvin's best time is 59.72, but she's followed closely behind by Tussey Mountain's Devin Folk, who is seeded second at 59.83.

Gelvin's seed times in both events are also the best in the area.

Although Peppernick and Gelvin hold the area's only top seeds, there are several who are looking to contend for gold.

McConnellsburg's Tyrelle White has a pair of top seeds. He's second in the discus (135-3) and third in the shot put (43-7.25). Teammate Josh Booth holds the third seed in both the 110 (16.74) and the 300 hurdles (42.24).

The throws promise to be especially competitive for area boys, as Mike Banks, also of McConnellsburg, is seeded second in the shot put (43-11).

Southern Fulton boasts a trio of second seeds, with Celina Merchant in the 300 hurdles (51.41), Dristin Mellott in the 110 hurdles (16.44) and Chase Varner in the 1,600 (4:50.94).

In the relays, McConnellsburg's girls have the highest seed, ranking second in the 4x400. That race could feature any combination of Breanna Worthing, Michaela Kendall, McKenzi Garlock, Gelvin, Kellyn Perry and Morghan Taylor.

Southern Fulton's boys are seeded third in the 4x800. Those potential runners are Jacob Pryor, Jacob Murray, Benji Voight, Varner, Ryan Shank and Jonah Golden.

In District 5, the top six places take home a medal. In all, the area boasts 33 top-six seeds. Only the champion and anyone meeting state qualifying standards in each event will advance to the PIAA Championships to be held at Shippensburg University on May 22-23.