Parkland sophomore Devyn Anderson didn't take much consideration into seeding prior to the 800-meter run at last week's district track and field meet.

After placing seventh at the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference Meet a week ago in that same event, Anderson had higher goals on an even higher stage. Finishing in the top two and advancing to states was at the top of her list.

With roughly 50 meters to go, she made that a reality. Anderson used a last-second boost to pass Northwestern's Sarah Segan and move into second place, a place she would finish in with a time of 2:22.33. She finished right behind gold medalist Jen Mickens of Pleasant Valley, who ran a 2:21.21.

"I was seeded eighth, so I knew I was only about three seconds behind the first seed, " Anderson said. "I knew I had to just give it my all and finish strong."

Anderson's time was also nearly a two-second increase from leagues, even with the gusty winds taking over districts at Whitehall High School's Zephyr Sports Complex.

"I was worried, but I knew I could finish strong," Anderson said. "I wanted to go to states."

Anderson is one of three Parkland athletes that qualified for the PIAA Track and Field Championships this week at Shippensburg University.

Senior Zachary Trexler advanced with his second-place finish (40.68 seconds) in the 300 meter hurdles, finishing just fractions of a second behind Bethlehem Catholic's Freedie Simmons.

"He [Simmons] is looked at as one of the top hurdlers," Trexler said. "My goal coming in was just to place first or right next to him. I trained a lot harder than I did last week for this, and it really paid off for me."

Simmons ran the event in 40.21 seconds, holding off a pack of four hurdlers that ran below 41 seconds. Trexler's time set a new personal best in the process.

"Coming around the last 100 I thought I had him [Simmons]," Trexler said. "I was even glad just being able to keep up with him."

Senior Derek Ziegenfuss placed third in the javelin at districts, but his mark of 201-9 qualified him for the state meet. The PIAA-qualifying throw in Class AAA boys javelin is 178 feet. The top five throwers from last week's district meet advanced to states and the three top finishers from districts are the top three seeds in the event.

Ziegenfuss is the third seeded thrower heading into state javelin. That event begins at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday afternoon.

For junior Devanate Cross, finishing a place higher would have sent him to the state meet in the high jump, an event he just started training for a few weeks ago.

His results in the high jump have been a steady progression since late in the regular season. He entered leagues with his best jump being 5-9. That jumped to six feet at leagues and increased three more inches at districts for a third-place finish and bronze medal.

"That's the highest I ever jumped," Cross said. "I've been doing this for two weeks now, three practices in, and each week I'm getting better. I had two meets, then I had leagues and here, and every week I get better."

A number of other Trojans finished in the top four of their events to earn medals. Hailemichael Geiger won bronze in the 3200 meter run, Morgan Sherwin finished in third place in the high jump, and Zachary Hugo also placed third with a mark of 13-3 in the pole vault event.

Trexler competes in the 300 meter hurdles on Friday in the prelims at 3 p.m. The finals are set for 2 p.m. on Saturday. Anderson will run the 800 meter prelims on Friday at 3:30 p.m.; finals are at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday.