Gianna Glovack took a deep breath, even though she knew the stakes. Her mission was to defend her Niagara Frontier League title, but knew the field was stronger than last year.
That’s because, after not competing last year, Lewiston-Porter’s Casey Fetzner was now vying for the league title, just nine days after breaking her school’s record that stood for 41 years. All Glovack needed was to set the tone early in the finals to hold off Fetzner and the rest of the field.
On what was her first attempt in the final, the Niagara Wheatfield junior established a personal best of 121 feet, 6 inches to defend her crown Wednesday at Niagara Falls High School.
“It was a perfect angle that I released it at that made it go that far,” Glovack said. “… That one had perfect steps, perfect speed, perfect release. It was, really, a pretty good throw.”
Glovack won the title, but Fetzner almost stole the win on her final attempt. The Lancers junior threw a toss of 119-3 in what was the fifth all-time meeting between the two.
While others might have shied away from the head to head competition, Glovack embraces it head-on. The two don’t see each other outside of meets, but Glovack appreciates the competition Fetzner brings.
“It’s always good, because then someone’s pushing you from the up to be better and I want to beat her and she wants to beat me,” Glovack said. “So, we’re both pushing each other.”
GI’s Martinez wins 100, appreciates bond with father
Hailey Martinez sees the finish line when she steps into the starting blocks. Then she sees the guy standing at the finish line.
In what was a tight finish, the Grand Island senior won the 100 with a personal-best of 12.4 seconds, defeating Niagara Falls senior Jayla Scott by 0.6 seconds. But, like after every event, she can glance over and catch up with her sprints coach, and her father, Israel.
The father-daughter and athlete-coach dynamics have been in tact through Hailey’s career with the Vikings, including winning the 55 at the indoor state qualifier with a time of 7.32. Having her father coach her doesn’t provide too much pressure, as instead, Hailey views him as a huge motivator.
“It’s amazing to have this kind of support,” Hailey said. “And, to have my dad right there when I finished the race and just,really congratulating me, even if I didn’t run my best, he was still proud of the effort that I put in.”
The Martinezs have shared ups and downs together, including at the indoor state qualifier in February. After placing fourth as a junior last year, Hailey bounced back and won the 55 with a time of 7.32.
A coach in track for over three decades, Israel took the opportunity at Grand Island a few years ago so that he didn’t have to miss Hailey compete. From year to year, the growth from her has come in her overall form.
“For Haley, personally, it’s her strength,” Israel said. “She buys into the lifting that we do. She does the lifting the way it’s designed and doesn’t take shortcuts.”