On March 26, the Bellefonte Jr. High Track and Field Team was set to make their season debut against Our Lady of Victory and Nittany Christian. Despite the frigid temperatures and heavy winds, many athletes would have impressive results, with one of them being eighth grader Jack Tyson.
Jack, who is entering his eighth grade season, has been making big strides since his record breaking season last year, where he threw 118 ‘6 “. That record would be history as in his first meet of the season he would throw 163’ shattering his previous record. Adding to his big meet already, he would add a winning toss of 103 ‘6 ” in discus and winning the 400 meter dash with a time of 58.27 seconds.
In their second meet of the season at Bald Eagle, there would finally be some good weather despite there being slightly damp conditions. That was not enough to stop him as he would launch a new record of 173’ 7”.
Not only would that be yet another record for Jack, but that would also catapult him to the number one thrower in the nation for javelin. He would go on to tie one of teammates for first in the 400 with another PR of 57.50.
The third meet of the year in Philipsburg would have a lot of difficult challenges such as the freezing cold weather and a different runway, as Philipsburgs is made out of pavement. Despite this Jack would still throw 156’ winning javelin yet again and he would also be a part of the 4×400 relay team that would break the school record with a time of 4:08.
In practice, Jack was using a varsity men’s javelin, which he had never used until that day, and already was throwing it in the 150’ range measuring it out at 152’ before he even entered his freshman year of high school and he continues to improve each and every day.
“I’m really looking forward to moving up to varsity so I can practice with the team and learn from all of the varsity athletes to get even better and be with my friends.”
The next meet they have will be the Bison Stampede at Clearfield where Jack would break his record yet again with a winning throw of 174 ‘6.5’’. He would also take second place in the 400 meter dash with a new personal record of 56.89.
Not only does he bring great success to the team but he also has a personality that anyone can get along with. He is one of the nicest kids on the team, always supporting many other members of the team.
Jack has many goals to hit and get far past them by the end of his season and going into varsity action next year.
“My biggest goal to end this year is to hit 192’ so I can beat my grandfather who threw 191’,” Jack said.
Jack continues to impress not just the coaches, athletes, and people of Bellefonte but he has put his name out there to all of Centre County, the state of Pennsylvania, and even the country as he currently sits in second in the nation.
