Tyrese Reid and Abriana Gatto hit the track at the Twin Valley Invitational Meet last week with different priorities. Reid, a junior standout in three events with an

Senior Abriana Gatto finished seventh in the 100 meter dash and sixth in the 200 meter dash at the Twin Valley Invitational.

eye on qualifying for the state championship meet, withdrew from one of his sprints after suffering a leg injury. Gatto, a senior who is still searching for the proper technique, ran with her usual level of determination.

            Both performed well for the Indians at the April 18 meet at Twin Valley High School in Elverson.  Reid posted a pair of top six finishes. He took second in the long jump with a leap of 22 feet, 3.75 inches and sixth in the 100 meter draft (11.68 seconds). Gatto finished seventh (13 seconds) and sixth (27.09 seconds) in the 100 and 200 meter dashes, respectively during the unscored meet.

            A hamstring injury forced Reid to withdraw from the 200 meter dash finals. He expressed disappointment with his performance.

           "It felt like an off day," Reid said.

            Reid, who has already qualified for District Once Class 3A Championships in all three of his events, said he should have entered one or two events in order to work on improving his technique or developing muscle memory.

            "Now I understand what I need to be doing" leading into districts, Reid said.

            Based on the numbers, the 200 meter dash may be Reid's best opportunity to qualify for states. However, he said the long jump is his favorite event for sentimental reasons: its the first event in which he qualified for districts.

            Reid prefers the relaxed atmosphere of the jumping pits to the more stressful around the starting blocks on the track. In between jumps, he listens to music and talks to his competitors.

            "Everyone is very outgoing," said Reid, adding that his first jump is usually his best effort.

            Gatto, the Indians' top female sprinter, relies on athleticism and determination. Though just five feet tall, she hits runs with a purpose, especially in the home stretch, according to head coach David Dusza.

            "Abriana is coming on really strong," Dusza said. "She's just fast."

            In just her second season running track, Gatto has worked hard to adjust the way her arms swing, to forward and back from side to side, while she runs. According to Dusza, the old style comes her from carrying a field hockey stick.

            Additionally, Gatto continues to develop the proper technique to explode out of the starting blocks. Learning it takes several years, according to the coach.

            "Abriana is not reacting quick enough," Dusza said. "She also needs to do a better job coming out more parallel to the ground."

            That inexperience could make her bid for a berth in districts a longshot, according to the coach. Gatto said her goal is to reach the finals in Pioneer Athletic Conference Championship meet in either event.

            Chalmers Stroup finished second in the discus (134-09) and fifth in the javelin (153-09). Other top performers included a seventh place showing in the 300 meter hurdles Ethan Markwalter (43.67 seconds). Hunter Flack (13 feet) and Chase Ziegler (11 feet) finished fourth and eighth, respectively, in the pole vault.