SUNBURY — When Milton junior Naomi Brunson steps into the shot put circle, it’s Brunson against Brunson. It almost has to be as the Black Panther thrower has little in the way of competition this season.
On Tuesday, Brunson easily won the shot event in Milton’s final team dual at Shikellamy with a heave of over 38-feet, one inch, outdistancing her closest competitor by more than seven feet. Her season-best is 39-2.5.
“It has to be me against me,” said Brunson of her mindset heading into the event. “I am my worst critic.”
Not much to criticize this season as Brunson continues to set new Milton standards in the event as she closes in on her target distance — 40 feet — and her season-long goal of getting back to states after missing the cut last season.
Brunson is working with a much more fluid motion this season and she’s benefited from experience gained at summer camp at Shippensburg.
“I think I’m using my legs more now,” she said. “The whole motion feels good.”
Shikellamy 89
Milton 61
Tuesday’s Susquehanna Valley Conference-I dual pitted a couple of teams in a balancing act of power — Shikellamy in the sprints and Milton in the distance events.
In the end, Shik ran away with the victory on the strength of its field events after just one point separated the two on the track.
Milton junior Heidi Shuck ran to victory in the 1600 (5:32.2) and the 800 (2:28.91) pacing the Milton track performance. The 1600 was a Milton sweep as Shuck and freshman Yelena Share ran stride for stride until the final 800 meters where Shuck simply pulled away.
Kristin Anspach won the 3200 (12:29.6) and Moira Nester took the 300 hurdles (48.07). The Black Panthers also took the 3200 relay with the team of Sabrina Martens, Mandy Metzger, Ali Derr and Kristin Shoop.
For Shikellamy, it was the Lauren Redington show as the sprint standout took the 100 (12.96), 200 (26.84) and the long jump (16-7). She also ran the lead leg of the winning 400 relay squad.
Milton is back in action Saturday at the league meet.

chris brady: 570-742-9671
sports@standard-journal.com