TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Penns Valley's Spencer Althouse competes in the 100-meter dash during the Lock Haven High School Classic earlier this season. Althouse clinched his second state bid on Wednesday, earning District 6 silver in the 100.

ALTOONA – Having already qualified for states as a sophomore, Penns Valley junior Spencer Althouse felt little pressure as he prepared to run it back.

There were nerves; it’s districts after all, and a two-hour weather delay didn’t help matters. But knowing what he was capable of put his mind at ease, and that showed on the track on Wednesday.

Behind a strong start and stronger finish, Althouse quickly reached the front of the pack in the 100-meter dash, going toe-to-toe with eventual District 6 Class AA champ Joseph McAneny. Though he fell just short of gold, he beat out his previous district performance, running an 11.03 to punch his second ticket to states.

“This is what I work for, so I’m happy with the result,” said Althouse on the accomplishment. “But I’m not satisfied yet. I’m getting ready to run my best at states.”

The end result was ultimately the same, a District 6 silver, PIAA bid and tight loss to back-to-back champ Joseph McAneny (Richland). But for Althouse, it was a different race based on how it felt.

It wasn’t quite a PR, with the junior running a 10.88 earlier in the season. But it beat out his previous run at districts – an 11.24 – by a notable margin, and Althouse recognized how different the two races felt.

“I think I performed the way I wanted to,” said Althouse on his 100. “It was definitely faster than last year’s, so that’s good. I was definitely more ready this year as opposed to last year, but still nervous.”

It was an effort that was complemented by his second showing in the 200. While he fell a quarter of a second short of a state-qualifying mark there, he still managed a PR, running a 23.00 to take fifth and earning two district medals for the first time.

It was also complemented well by his team and the area. Though he finished as the lone Ram – and Express area athlete – to qualify for states, freshman Cael Smith made it two Day 2 medals for Penns Valley with his fifth place showing in the shot put (45-11) while plenty of other area athletes took home hardware.

For Central Mountain, senior Josiah Allert led the way. In the high jump, he expected to get fourth or fifth based on seeding but ended up earning District 6 Class AAA silver by hitting 5-5 on his first attempt.

“I definitely was not expecting that medal when I first got here, but I’m really glad I came out with second. Couldn’t be happier,” said Allert. “I feel like I could’ve done a little better, but still went out there, had fun and did my best. It’s been a good experience.”

Allert was joined by teammate Keron Yerger on the podium, with Yerger finishing fifth with a third-attempt 5-5. Fellow CM senior Jacob Nyman earned two placements in the 110 and 300-meter hurdles, placing sixth and eight with times of 17.67 and 45.19, and sophomore Jonathan Nyman made it two Wildcats to place in the 110, placing seventh with an 18.09.

Central Mountain also placed two in the 400, as Wyatt Heeman and Shayden Hill placed sixth and eighth respectively. And in the field, Ethan Shetler and Brayden Stahl placed seventh in the javelin and long jump respectively, rounding out the team’s individual placements on the boys side.

For Bellefonte, numerous athletes stood out.

After earning the No. 3 seed in Tuesday’s 100-meter dash prelims, junior Caleb Bartley took things a step further on Wednesday, running an 11.11 to earn District 6 Class AAA silver.

Freshman Jack Tyson (javelin) and junior Landon Langille (300-meter hurdles) each took home bronze in their respective events, with Langille hitting a PR of 41.01. And Langille also added a second top four placement in the 110, taking fourth with a 16.33.

“I’m very proud of myself,” said Langille. “I’ve improved a lot not only in the 300 but also in the 110s. It’s just work. The more you think about putting that work in, it just makes you so much better and more mentally tough.”

Sophomore Sam Witmer also took home two district medals in throws, placing seventh in the shot put (43-2 ½) and eighth in discus (111-11).

Freshman Elliot Donmoyer took fifth in the 400, outpacing his prelim by almost a second with a 51.78. Jonathan Gasper placed sixth in the 3,200, and Seth Muchmore (pole vault) and Jamin Ondrasik (javelin) finished eighth in their respective field events, rounding out the team’s placements.

For Bald Eagle, its headliners came in hurdles and distance.

Senior Maksim Kronin earned multiple placements, taking sixth in the 300 and eighth in the 110-meter hurdles. And fellow senior Owen Dechow led a strong distance effort for the team, placing fifth in the 800 with a 2:06.81 and kicking off a strong 3,200 relay – featuring Henry Cowan, Blake Wagner and Alec Wagner – that placed fourth with an 8:25.40.

All in all, it was another strong performance for the area, one which saw multiple seasons get wrapped up on a high note. For Althouse, the road isn’t quite over, as he prepares for his second trip to Shippensburg.

“I’m happy that I made it, and that was the first goal. But now, I’m looking on to states and placing at states,” said Althouse.