Kareem Williams has experienced a lot through athletics during his four years as a Parkland Trojan.

Last week the senior experienced something new as Williams made his first trip to the PIAA Track and Field Championships at Shippensburg University.

"It was a really fun experience," he said. "I met a lot of new people. It was something that I'm glad that I got to experience at least once in my high school career."

Williams qualified for states in the Class AAA 300-meter hurdles, but failed to advance to the finals of the event as he ran a 41.33.

Senior Legend Boyesen just started throwing discus last season, but he found immediate success and made the trip to Ship on May 22 and 23 as well. However, Boyesen did not register a distance.

Parkland sent two athletes to states in boys javelin in Stephen Laird and Derek Ziegenfuss.

Laird finished 15th with a throw of 179-03 and Ziegenfuss took 24th with a toss of 162-10.

Ziegenfuss, who is still a junior, learned a lot at Ship.

"I learned that I have the abilities to throw with the best in the state," he said. "But I need to continue to train and work hard to be able to compete at the elite level that they do."

Ziegenfuss, along with Laird, and Nick Hassler are trying to reach that level as their seasons aren't ending quite yet. The trio of Trojans is competing in the New Balance Outdoor National meet next weekend in North Carolina.

Williams, like Ziegenfuss, learned a lot at states, and also over these last few years as a member of the successful Parkland track teams. He cherishes everything from this spring.

"The year went great," Williams said. "I got a lot of new friends and experiences that I'm happy I have. I really think my track coaches instilled a lot of new values that I needed before I left for college."