The Parkland girls track and field team has many stars, and few were brighter during the District 11 Track and Field Championships on May 15 and 16 at Whitehall High School than Shelby Staib.

Staib was the top javelin thrower, registering a distance of 128 feet, 7 inches. The Parkland senior was relaxed heading into the meet.

“Coming into this meet I was 100 percent healthy and feeling great,” Staib said. “I’ve been pushing through a lot of mental stuff because coming off a great season last year I put a lot of pressure on myself and had a lot of expectations for how my season was going to go. Today was great. I was just out there to have fun, which is the most important thing. And I performed.”

She performed, in part, due to successful physical therapy earlier this year.

“This season in the beginning, I had shin splints and then I had a little injury with my back. I was to St. Luke’s Physical Therapy with Howie Knudson,” she said. “After a few sessions with him I was able to heal the next body part that was bothering me.”

With the victory, Staib has her ticket punched to the state tournament in Shippensburg.

“This will be my second (trip),” Staib said. “I was out for triple jump and javelin (last year) and this year will just be javelin”

The talented Staib nearly made the triple jump cut on the tournament’s first day.

“I missed state qualifying by two inches,” Staib said. “Last week (at EPCs) I jumped 36 feet, 10 1/2 inches, which would have qualified me.”

Staib’s athletic prowess will take her to James Madison, but she still has one more turn at high school athletic glory.

“Last year I didn’t do as well,” she said of states. “So I’m hoping to be more confident in myself and just compete and enjoy my time there.

Another Parkland athlete who enjoyed her time at the District 11 championships was Madison Zaun. The Trojan senior also earned a trip to the Ship by running to excellence in the 3200. Zaun took gold in 11:14.63. She also finished fourth in the 1600-meter, running that event in 5:19.53.

Zaun’s teammate Jada Mangahas also excelled in the meet, claiming second place in the pole vault at 11 feet, 6 inches, which qualified her for the PIAA Championships. Central Catholic’s Jamilie Atiyeh won the event at 12-0.

Several other Parkland girls competitors came away from the meet with district medals, which went to the top four finishers in each event.

Ava Bendetti took fourth place in the 800-meter run with a time of 2.22.34.