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McGuffey’s Olivarez has ‘shot’ at medal

3 min read
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Marko Olivarez has seen a large chunk of the country in his relatively short life.

The junior from McGuffey High school has lived in 11 states and even spent time in Germany because his father was in the service.

But the only piece of ground he’ll be concerned with this weekend is the approximately 250 feet that make up the shot put area at Shippensburg University.

That’s where Olivarez will be competing when the PIAA Track & Field Championships get underway today.

Olivarez will use his 6-4, 240-pound frame to his advantage in this event. Olivarez is coming off a second-place finish at the WPIAL Class AA Championship last week at Baldwin High School. His put reached 46-6, just inches shy of his personal record but good enough to qualify for states.

“I have a lot of confidence,” said Olivarez. “I think it’s going to be really exciting.”

Olivarez just started putting the shot last year and reached his PR of 47-6.

“The first time I threw it, I thought this was for me,” he said.

He also competed in the javelin and discus with PRs of 137 and 131, respectively, in those events but the shot was his best event. Olivarez finished 10th in the discus in the WPIAL championship with a 124-09. His 46-6 in the shot put was good enough to put him behind only Lance Fisher of Riverside.

“You are always a little nervous with a big competition,” he said. “I’m just going to give it all I got and whatever happens, happens.”

That Olivarez is even competing is a tribute to the skills of the caregivers at Advanced Orthopaedics & Rehabiliation in North Franklin Township. Olivarez tore his meniscus in Week 2 of football season and was just given his release to compete three weeks ago.

“I was worried, but fortunately, I was able to build the knee back up,” he said. “Now, I feel good.”

Olivarez has received some interest from Division I football programs as well as lower divisions but has not made up his mind. Most schools have little or no film on him because of the injury.

“They want me as a defensive end or offensive tackle,” Olivarez said. “Football is my sport.”

Olivarez is one of 11 local male athletes or relay teams competing in 12 events. Waynesburg has a rooting interest in four events, including Ben Baumgarner (1,600, 3,200 runs), Daniel Layton (110 hurdles) and Will Behm (pole vault).

Overall, South Fayette has five, including Courtney Phoennik, who won the triple jump (36-6) at the WPIAL meet.

Twenty-two female athletes will represent the local area at Shippensburg.

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