District 2 track Comets’ Mertz, Shipton strike gold at districts

by Steve Stallone Sports Editor

There was something in the air at Scranton’s Veterans Memorial Stadium on Monday - Crestwood’s pole vaulters, again showing the rest of District 2 how the event is done. Crestwood High School’s Isaac Mertz and Sarah Shipton captured their respective gold medals in the Class 3A pole vault, headlining the first day of the District 2 Track and Field Championships.

For Mertz, it marked his second straight district championship, sending him back to the PIAA Championships next weekend at Shippensburg University. No other vaulter cleared 12 feet on a sunny but breezy Monday in Scranton. Mertz cleared it on his first attempt.

“I felt decent, but this stadium is always difficult, because you’re jumping right into the sun,” Mertz explained. “I did o.k. The wind was kind of annoying. As you’re running down the straightaway, it kind of blows the pole to the right. Most of the time I end up turning the pole to the left, and sometimes I end up with it too far to the left.”

Despite being the top seed, Mertz said he didn’t feel any pressure to perform. “I kind of do whatever, and jump how I jump. If I won, cool. If not, someone else gets it.” He’s glad he was the one with the gold at the end of the day.

“It feels pretty good,” he said. “Second year in a row feels awesome.”

Crestwood’s Shipton is just a sophomore and first-time champion in the vault but is no stranger to the sport. Her older sister and brother also excelled in the event during their high school days.

But this day belonged to younger sister Sarah, who like Mertz was the top seed for her event and looked every bit like that. She cleared every height she attempted on her first try right through to 10 feet. Although Delaware Valley’s Liliana matched that on her final attempt, both missed all three times at 10-6, thus making Shipton the winner by virtue of fewer misses.

“I was really surprised. I knew there was a chance of it because of the seedings, but to actually make it happen, it’s crazy!” Shipton beamed. “I just tried to stay calm during that and not focus on the competition, just focused on myself. The wind did play a little bit of a role, but you can’t let it get too much in your mind.”

Last spring, Crestwood senior Julia Lazo took the gold, as the Comets’ annual trip to Shipp in the event continues.

Shipton said she is looking forward to state competition, and bettering herself for the future. “Going to states is going to help me see there’s so much more to do. It’s going to push me to get better and a lot stronger.”

Several other Crestwood athletes earned district medals and performed well in preliminary qualifiers on the first day of competition.

The Crestwood boys earned a bronze medal in the 4x800 relay, as Weston Medvetz, Ryan Kozich, James Modrovsky and Mason Staude clocked an 8:21.62.

The girls’ 4x800 relay team of Kaelyn Baker, Katie Kozich, Maggie Kozich and Emily Leicht picked up a fourth-place medal, while Mia Pollack medaled with a sixth with a 32-9 in the shot put.

The top-six finishers earn medals, the champion advances to states, as do any others who meet PIAA qualifying times or distances.

Crestwood’s Zach Sheloski placed eighth in the boys’ shot put with a top throw of 44-1 3/4, earning a team point. The Comets’ John Jones (43-7 3/4) finished 10th.

Evelyn Kruczek placed ninth in the pole vault at 8 feet, 6 inches. Bianca Long was 10th in the 300-meter hurdles finals (51.03), and teammate Kayla Kresge (51.66) was 12th. In the girls’ 3200-meter finals, Crestwood’s trio of Katie Kozich (12:05.15), Ellie Kozich (12:16.13) and Maggie Kozich (12:39.25) placed 10th, 13th and 15th. Meanwhile, several other Crestwood athletes excelled in preliminary events on the track and secured their spot in their respective finals on Tuesday.

Crestwood’s Jaden Shedlock ran the fastest preliminary time in the boys’ 100-meter dash at 11.22 seconds, and teammate George Jennings (23.84) advanced to the finals in the 200-meter dash. Kayla Kresge (16.78 seconds) and Bianca Long (17.66) both advanced to the 100-meter hurdle finals, and freshman teammate Grayce Grazio (13.18) moved on to the 100meter finals. Both Kresge and Grazio were fourthquickest in their Monday prelims.

Shipton followed her pole vault win by advancing to the 200-meter dash finals, posting a 27.66-second race. We’ll have more from Day 2 of the district meet, and a preview of the state meet in next week’s edition.

See pictures on page 16 Puzzle Answers

THURSDAY, MAY 18, 2023