FRIDAY, April 30, 2021
ALTOONA-MIDWAY MIDDLE SCHOOL TRACK
OSWEGO – Altoona-Midway Middle School track standouts Emmalynn Pupanek and William Stackhouse each posted silver medal performances here Thursday afternoon at the ultra-competitive Oswego Invitational.
Pupanek’s second place finish came in the girls’ 400 meter run, while Stackhouse claimed runner-up honors in the boys’ high jump event.
Pupanek recorded a personal best in the 400 with a time of 1:09, while Stackhouse matched his PB in the high jump by clearing 5-0.
Medaling was even more impressive given there were 15 middle schools represented at Oswego’s meet, which also combines grade levels – facts not lost on Altoona-Midway Middle School track coach Chary Weilert.
“This was a huge meet, and it’s also unique in that they don't separate 7th and 8th grade. The events are separated by gender only,” Weilert noted. “So, to place in this meet was very difficult, considering there were 15 teams competing and some events allowed unlimited entries.”
No other AMMS athlete was able to place in the top six in any event.
“Right away, when we arrived at the meet, I could tell our younger kids were intimidated due to the huge number of athletes,” Weilert added. “The fact that the youngest athletes were competing against the oldest athletes made the meet even more challenging.
“But I was so proud of Emmalynn and William. Those two eighth graders once again modeled by example and gave proof that hard work pays off regardless of how many other athletes were there.”
Flinthills Invitational
Tuesday at Rosalia, Pupanek won the 1600 meter run and placed third in the 400. Stackhouse was second in both the high jump and 200 meters, while seventh-grader Braxton Willhite placed second in the shot put.
Other Top 10 finishes for AMMS athletes at the Flinthills meet (which were not immediately made available) were:
Eighth grade: Stackhouse, 4th in the long jump; 8th in the 100; Pupanek, 6th in the 75 meter hurdles.
Seventh grade: Eryn Tiger, 4th in the discus and 5th in the shot put; Kage Beck, 7th in the 400, 7th in the long jump; Chantel Morales, 8th shot put, 8th in the discus; 9th in the 100; Peyton Drake, 9th in the long jump; 10th in the 100.