May 26, 2007 By Jim Downey 2 min read

SHIPPENSBURG – Connellsville’s Rodney Richter was just happy to be competing in the PIAA Track & Field Championships. The sophomore was even happier Friday after he finished fourth in the boys Class AAA discus on the opening day of the two-day meet hosted by Shippensburg University.

Richter was sitting seventh of nine going into finals, throwing 158 feet, 7 inches to win the opening flight of two. He was the only competitor to advance from the first heat.

Richter launched his best throw of the day on his second attempt of the finals, bettering his previous best by over eight inches for a throw of 166-11.

For a first-time competitor in the state meet, Richter admitted he wasn’t nervous at all.

“I felt more relaxed. I had nothing to lose,” Richter said of his mindset heading into his best throw. “I hit a good one.”

Richter’s throwing coach Rich Evans placed ninth twice during his throwing days at Connellsville. Evans kept Richter at ease throw the competition.

“He’s good. He told me to have fun and just relax” Richter said of Evan’s advice. “I was relaxed. I was just happy to (make it to the state meet).”

Richter has another shot at a medal when he competes in the shot put this morning. He feels some momentum after his performance in the discus.

“I think there’s some carry over. I have more confidence,” said Richter. “I do what I can do.”

Hempfield’s Wes Banks was expected to win and the Spartan senior didn’t disappoint with a gold medal-winning throw of 180-5. Whitehall’s Andrew Fahringer was second at 178-8 with Perkiomen Valley’s Tyrone Jones third at 170-6.

Teammate Scott Jones extended his season by another race after advancing to this morning’s 110 high hurdles semifinals.

The senior finished fourth in his heat with a time of 15.19 seconds to grab one of the four qualifying berths into the semifinals. He had the 10th-fastest time of the 16 qualifiers.

Waynesburg Central’s Keith Higginbotham was not as fortunate in the 100.

The junior finished seventh in his heat with a time of 11.52 seconds. The final qualifying time was 11.38.

Belle Vernon’s Shane Curran finished seventh in his heat of the Class AAA 400 in 52.96 and did not advance to the finals.

Waynesburg Central’s Nick Patton cleared 11-6 to finished tied for 25th in the boys Class AA pole vault.