Paryss Marshall has been in some pressure situations during his career at Catasauqua High School.

The senior has made plays as a football player in their heated Thanksgiving Day game with Northampton, district playoff games and even state tournament contests as well.

Even with all of that experience, the school's all-time leading receiver admitted to feeling the heat at last week's PIAA track and field meet at Shippensburg University.

"I felt the pressure a little bit," Marshall said. "Just knowing that I was jumping against some of the best in the state … you just have to jump your best and hope everything goes your way."

Just like many of those outcomes from those previous gut-wrenching situations, Marshall was able to persevere. The Rough Rider finished ninth in the AA high jump with a height of 6-02.

Junior Ricky Houser had a lot of confidence heading into the AA triple jump at states. He even thought a medal was possible. The junior settled for 12th with a jump of 42-03.

Houser said his performance at the two-day meet, last Friday and Saturday, was unexpected.

"Going into states I felt like I was going to do great and medal, but then came the day I jumped and I unexpectedly fouled on my first jump and after that jump I lost my focus and the outcome of getting 12th place was very unexpected for me."

Trinity Henderson has been unexpected all season long as each personal record or medal she achieved along the way surprised her. However, the junior found herself to belong with the best in the state in shot put as she finished tenth in AA girls' shot put at 36-09.5, just below her seed mark of 37-0.5

Houser and Henderson have one more year to see if they can turn the unexpected into the expected and even a state medal. Marshall, well, he experienced his success on the gridiron and the hardwood throughout these last few years, but he wishes he would have more time on the track.

"It kind of makes me wish that I had jumped before this [year], but I can't go back and change anything. I'll just look back on this as one of my best seasons ever," he said.