NTL TRACK & FIELD: NP-MANSFIELD'S WILCOX EARNS 5TH PLACE MEDAL AT STATES (2024-05-25)
BY CHRIS MANNINGNorthern Tier Sports ReportSHIPPENSBURG — NP-Mansfield’s Zack Wilcox nearly fell at the start, was pushed from behind, spiked, and ran so hard he spent half an hour in the medical tent. It wasn’t all in vain, though, as the senior earned a fifth place medal in the 800 during the PIAA Track and Field Championships Saturday.
Wilcox was fourth in the fast heat in 1:56.42, a race so tight a little over a second behind him was eighth, and a second and a half in front of him was second.
“It was good, I was just giving it my all,” said Wilcox. “I’ve been trying to get a medal since last year I was so close. I wanted to try to get top three, but I gave it my all, so it still feels good in the end.”
After the bad start Wilcox recovered quickly, getting near the front of the chase pack after the first turn.
He was eighth at the bell with a 57.83 first lap. He came back with a 58.60 second lap to secure his spot on the podium.
“I still put myself in a good spot I just couldn’t close like I wanted to,” Wilcox said. “I was trying to catch that last kid right in front of me. He felt me coming and held me off at the end.”
After taking third at districts Wilcox was the only District IV medalist in the individual 800.
“The other guys, they had 4x800s, too,” Wilcox said. “It still feels good to be the best from District IV.”
PHOTOS: CHRIS MANNING
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