The Whitehall track and field team arrived in Shippensburg hoping to end their season with some lasting memories to kickoff the holiday weekend.

The first day of competition at the PIAA Track and Field Championships began with the 4x800 race, and with it a chance for the Zephyr contingent to achieve their goal of running a sub eight-minute race and make it to the second day.

J.C. Falcon, Brian Plucinsky, Calvin Schneck and Andrew Frisch were now among the best in the state, and head coach James Sebesta knew it would be a race in which "they had to run out of their comfort zone" if they wanted to make it to the finals.

Whitehall's best time this year was a shade above eight minutes (8:01.17), and they were running against teams who were consistently in the 7:50 range. Sebesta said that meant they had to run beyond their best time to qualify for the finals.

When it was over, the team finished with an 8:09.40 mark, placing them eighth in their heat. Unfortunately, it wasn't fast enough to qualify, ending a brilliant season in which they went undefeated and won a league and district championship.

"I thought they ran hard," said Sebesta. "I was really happy with the way they ran."

Sebesta felt that they didn't quite have enough left in the tank after a grueling district meet in which they spilled their bucket in order to capture the gold. He said that race took a lot out of them and perhaps it spilled over to states.

Gabe Lamm also faced the same dilemma as the boys relay team. Sebesta said he wanted to get out fast with the pack, afraid to fall behind, but that jackrabbit start took its toll as he was also forced to "run out of his comfort zone" in the 3,200. Still, Lamm finished in 10:00.93, good for 28th place.

He said he talked to them before the meet and reminded them about the competition they would encounter.

"They're good teams out there," said Sebesta. "It's the best of the best. That's why they're there."

In the 800, Angela Stella also had to get out of the blocks quickly. Sebesta said she "went out really hard" in that first lap, once again extending beyond her comfort zone, and finished 10th in her heat, posting a 2:23.84 finish. That mark didn't qualify for the finals and Stella's excellent high school career ended that day on the track at Seth Grove Stadium.

Kyleem Harrison was also facing hurdlers who could go under 15 seconds in the 110 meter race. Harrison was looking to make it to the second day as well, but his bid for the finals fell short as well. He finished 6th in his heat, crossing the line in 15.43.

Finally, Nick Nejad arrived ready to see where he stood among the best in the state. He finished in the 19th spot, earning that place with a 172-09 mark. Sebesta said that Nejad has been consistent all year, and at the PIAA tournament it was no different. He threw in the range that's been his average all season. In fact, Sebesta said he may have hit that same mark six times this season.

"He's been consistent all year," said Sebesta. "He's been impressive all year. Now he'll be going to Moravian (College) and he has a lot of potential."

While qualifying for the finals was on everyone's mind heading to Shippensburg, Sebesta said they gave it everything they had.

"I thought they all did really well," he said.