KUTZTOWN - When Mifflin County harrier Jon Colwell started this season he had two goals in mind - qualify for states and medal.
On Jan. 12, when the Huskies traveled to Kutztown University for the Golden Bear Invitational, Colwell achieved the first part of that goal.
With his 4:29.70 in the 1600 meter, Colwell not only took first place in the event, but also qualified for states.
"Any meet you go into with John you go in with high expectations, and those expectations are always met," Mifflin County coach Scott Gantz said.
But Colwell wasn't the only Husky to make a strong showing at the meet.
Erika Shawver placed second in the 55 meter hurdles, and landed in 15th in the 400 meter.
As Gantz said of Shawver's performance in the 400, "She's starting to hit her stride, and she'll be a force to be reckoned with by the end of the season."
Other placewinners for the Huskies included a third place finish in the boys 200 meter relay (Kyroon Carrington, Nathan Baumgardner, Michael Kline, Tim Beck) and a fifth place finish by Makayla Rearick at shot put.
This was Mifflin County's second meet of the season.
The Huskies will compete next on Jan. 19 in the Kevin Dare Invitational at Penn State University.
Wrestling
Juniata Duals
MIFFLINTOWN - Juniata's Sean Heggs went 5-5, notching four pins, and the Indians as a whole finished 3-2 on Jan. 12 when they took fourth place at the Juniata Duals.
Juniata's biggest team win was a 61-12 rout of North Penn, in which Richie Gilson, Heggs, Jared Benner, Derek Beitz, Tyler Hershey, Ty Treaster and Patrick Fitzgerald all finished with a pin.
In the other matches, Juniata defeated Selinsgrove (55-21) and Lancaster Catholic (42-35), and lost to Huntingdon (42-27) and Penns Valley (42-27).
Excluding forfeits, Indians who finished with multiple wins were Gilson, Adam Barrick, Heggs, Luke Nana, Benner, Beitz, Hershey, Fitzgerald and Dylan Feltman.
Line Mountain Duals
HERNDON - After four straight team wins at the Line Mountain Duals on Jan. 12, the Mount Union grapplers took Lewisburg, 57-18, to get the fifth win and the first place finish at the duals.
"I thought we wrestled well pretty much all day, and really stepped up in the finals," Mount Union coach Corey Wertz said.
Trojans with multiple wins included Tyler Long, Dylan Smith, Cory Kylor, Devon Kylor, Nikolas Smith, Sage Smith, Jake Boozel, Kord Aurand, Darrion Stapleton, Tyler Foor and Philip Kyle.
Boys basketball
Midd-West 58,
Columbia Montour Vo Tech. 48
MIDDLEBURG - The Midd-West boys basketball team struggled from the charity stripe Jan. 12 against Columbia Montour Vocational Tech, but in every other regard did just what it needed to do to take the 58-48 win.
In the first half, 6-for-6 shooting on the floor from Ascher Marks kept the Mustangs in the game, then in the second the Mustangs' full court press helped lead to the win.
Colton Keister led the Mustangs with 14 points.
Midd-West (3-7, 0-5) travels to Shamokin to get back in Heartland Conference action on Tuesday.
Girls basketball
Midd-West 34, Shamokin 22
COAL TOWNSHIP - After giving up their lead in the second quarter, the Midd-West girls turned it up on the offense for a Heartland Conference girls basketball win over Shamokin on Jan. 12.
In the 34-22 victory, Mikayla Beiler had a game-high 19 points for the Mustangs.
"Our girls are learning to play with some toughness. They had us outsized in every inside position and we were able to stay right with them on rebounds," Midd-West coach Dave Fadale said.
Shamokin won the JV game, 35-25. Kayla Keister had 15 for Midd-West.
The Mustangs host non-conference opponent Halifax today.
Junior high
Wrestling
- Mifflin County placed third at the Bellefonte Invitational on Jan. 12. Winners for the Huskies were Trey Hartsock, Andrew Wert, Quentin Milliken, Isaac Habbershon, Noah Myers, Jonah Kile, Clayton Wolfgang, Logan Wise, Trent Hidlay and Kyle Smith.
- Juniata went 3-2 to take third place at the Juniata Duals on Jan. 12. Juniata is now 13-4.
