PHOTO GALLERY | Somerset's Marteeny, Forest Hills' Ascherl shine in Mountain Lion Classic girls meet

ALTOONA, Pa. – Libby Marteeny simply hoped to avoid a crowd of competitors at the outset of the Class 3A girls 800-meter run in Friday’s Altoona Mountain Lion Track and Field Classic.

“I just wanted to not get boxed in at the start,” Marteeny said after finishing in a time of 2:18.02 to edge Danville’s Odin Ryer (2:20.37) and State College Area’s Anne Horgas (2:23.25). “So, I got out pretty fast. I just tried to stay out.”

PHOTO GALLERY | Altoona Mt.Lion Classic track & field meet

The Somerset Area High School freshman also placed first in the 1600 during the nine-hour meet that featured both boys and girls competition in Class 2A and 3A.

“I was going to sit behind the girl from Altoona, and I kind of went out hard again to not get boxed in,” said Marteeny, whose 5:01.8 gave her the win ahead of the host Mountain Lions’ Ashlyn Noce (5:04.79).

“It felt good. I just kept that lead and maintained it.”

Earning two first-place finishes in Class 3A will help Marteeny prepare for the upcoming district event.

“It definitely gives me confidence because a lot of these girls I’ll see at districts,” Marteeny said. “It’s nice to have a preview.”

In the Class 2A girls meet, Forest Hills sophomore Bella Ascherl placed first in the 1600 with a time of 5:09.97 and won the 3200 in 11:00.84.

“I was just going into the race trying to get PR’s,” Ascherl said.

“The goal is to peak at states, so these are a step up to states.”

Ascheri won in convincing fashion in the 1600, posting a nearly eight-second margin over runner-up Lanee Berk- himer (5:17.42) from Central.

Windber’s Sophia Weyant was third (5:28.75).

“The mile, I knew just to sit with whoever was in the lead because I had competition,” Ascheri said. “I was going to stick with whoever had the lead, and if I felt like I had enough to go, then I was going to just go.”

She closed her night in the 3200, winning over Bedford’s Chloe May (11.05.0) and Central’s Berkhimer (11:05.72).

“In the two-mile, I just tried to stay with the people to carry the race,” Ascheri said. “The last lap, I just gave it all I had.

“This event prepares me extremely well,” she added. “It gives you that racing experience. I love racing and the competition.”

The Rangers’ Danika Faith, a sophomore, had a winning shot put throw of 35 feet-1 inch.

Central Cambria won the 3200 relay in a time of 9:40.29.

The team included sophomores Paige Alexander and Mackenzie Hite, senior Alaina Long and freshman anchor Delaney Snyder.

Alexander placed first in the 2A 800 (2:22.25), a race that had a strong area presence in the top three spots. Central Cambria’s Long (2:24.81) and Windber junior Rachel Russo (2:26.94) placed second and third, respectively.

Penn Cambria sophomore Katie Eckenrode won the 100 in 12.59. Cambria Heights senior Brielle McMillen placed first in the long jump (16-91/2).