May 25, 2003 By Jim Downey 3 min read

SHIPPENSBURG – Christina Roadman prefers to record a strong mark on her first attempt in the discus, and then go on from there. Things didn’t work out that way for the Connellsville senior after her first mark on the rainy, dreary Saturday afternoon in the PIAA Girls Class AAA discus championships at Shippensburg University was over 30 feet short of her state qualifying mark of 130 feet, one inch.

Roadman’s second attempt had her in 10th position with only nine advancing to the finals.

The WPIAL champion rose to the occasion, though, jumping from out of contention to first place on the final throw of the preliminary round with a toss of 126 feet to catapult her to the first PIAA gold medal won by a Connellsville girl.

“The circle was slippery. I was having problems with the mud,” explained Roadman. “I just told myself I had to deal with it. I dealt with it on my third throw.

“I wanted my first throw to be my best one, but it was my worst. If I wouldn’t have done it on my third attempt, I wouldn’t have gone to the finals. I was relieved, big-time relieved.”

With the lead entering the final round, Roadman was in the catbird seat because everyone had to come to her. Plus, she was the final competitor to throw.

Punxsutawney’s Mandi Klingensmith made a run at her with a throw of 123 feet, but by the time Roadman readied for her final throw she was already the state champion.

“If a girl hit my throw, then I’d have to step it up. It felt good knowing I had it won on my final throw,” Roadman said.

Roadman advanced to the medal round last year only to fall a notch short in ninth place.

The experience was beneficial to this year’s effort.

“It helped being here before. I was used to the crowd, the environment. I wanted my PR (personal best), but I got the gold and that’s what I wanted.”

Roadman followed her plan in the javelin Friday, launching a personal best throw of 129 feet, 11 inches on her first attempt to finish first in the first flight. The throw stood into the medal round earning her the seventh place medal.

“I figured I was ranked low so I really had to step it up. The first throw felt really good. There’s a lot good throwers here,” Roadman said.

“I guess I got my head into the game. It was a good time to do it. I’m surprised I threw my best today.”

Williamsport’s Ruby Radocaj won the javelin gold medal with a PIAA record throw of 156-8.

Roadman finished fourth out of WPIAL competitors with Beverly Rogers and Stephanie Kuhn, both of Ringgold, finishing third and fourth and Butler’s Holly Geibel placing fifth.

Reflecting on her successful state meet, Roadman said, “Hard work does pay off. I was going to have fun and I did.”