By Edward L. Master

Allied News Sports Correspondent

HERMITAGE — The Mercer County Track and Field Invitational serves two purposes: one, to furnish local athletes one more opportunity to qualify for the District-10 AA meet, and, two, to serve as one last tuneup for those athletes who have already met district benchmarks.

Five local athletes each claimed gold in two events Saturday at Hickory High School’s Hornet Stadium.

The five who twice climbed to the top spot on the podium included Grove City’s Kristy Woods and Hana Casalnova, Lakeview’s Fawn Miller and Ashley Lewis, and Slippery Rock’s Ethan Geisler.

Woods and Miller each recorded a record-setting throw. Woods’ 44-09 was a new high mark for the girls shot put, exceeding her previous record of 43-01 that she set in 2006.

Miller’s heave of 149-03 in the girls javelin shattered Eve McCann’s 127-11 (for Greenville) set in 2002.

In addition to winning the shot put, Woods brought home a first in the girls discus (137-10).

“I’m thrilled with what I did today (in the discus),” said Woods. “My feet landed better; I have been working very hard on my form. I felt more on balance today and the discus flew nicely.

“(In the shot put) I did all right--I broke my record, which I set as a sophomore. I was really determined to break that record today and I did. As far as form, I was getting my leg under and I felt as though I had a lot of power in me.”

Casalnova took home firsts in the girls 400- and 800-meter races. She ran a 59.47 in the 400 and a 2:21.48 in the 800.

“I was nervous (before the 400), but I always am. I felt good and I wanted to run today. I was very satisfied with the way I paced myself. In the 800, I paced myself and I had a kick at the end. That seemed to work.”

Miller first achieved laurels on the track as she won the girls 100-meter dash with a time of 13.11.

“My start was fantastic--it was one of the best starts that I have had all year and then I just let it out,” Miller said. “I am happy with my race, start to finish.