Wyomissing Area High School senior Hunter Niedrowski represented the school in the javelin event at this year’s Penn Relays. It is believed to be the first time in the history of WAHS that the school was represented at the annual national track and field competition.
The Penn Relays is the oldest and largest track and field competition in the United States, hosted by the University of Pennsylvania at Franklin Field in Philadelphia each year since April 21, 1895.
While skill with the javelin runs in the family— Hunter’s father was the District III Javelin Champion in 1992 and 1994 and PIAA State Javelin Champion in 1992, with a school and county record throw of 227’ 11”—Hunter didn’t join the track team until his junior year. He went on to state competition that year, placing 17th.
Before joining the track team, Hunter played baseball and football for WAHS. He hung up his baseball glove to join the track team, saying that he wanted to switch things up.
Hunter didn’t do as well as he had hoped at the Penn Relays; he finished in ninth place with a throw of 180’ 11”. However, he did win in the Class 2A event at the District III Track and Field Championships with a throw of 199’ 8”. He also set a school record.
Hunter plans to continue competing at West Chester University.