SHIPPENSBURG — Clark Gulycz came to Shippensburg University’s Seth Grove Stadium on Saturday with the intent of hitting 60 feet in the PIAA Class 2A shot put.
The Central Catholic senior did get it, but he made good on a year-old promise to head coach Dave Ackerman and throwing coach Angelo Lucci.
Gulycz thew 58 feet, 3.75 inches to win the first boys state title in Central Catholic history. The St. Francis (Pa.) commit took the lead on his first throw and never trailed.
“I was thinking on the walk over [to the medal stand] that I kind of re-wrote school history,” he said. “I’m the first boys state champ. Seeing coach Ackerman and coach Lucci crying, I owe them the world. This is for them.”
Frances Koons (2004 Class 2A girls 1,600-meter run) was Central Catholic’s only previous state champion.
After finishing second in last year’s state meet, Gulycz told Ackerman and Lucci that he was coming back to win the gold medal.
He took charge from the start with a throw of 55-9, which would have won the meet. He later threw 56-2.25 and 56-9.25 in his second series before closing out with his best throw to cap a stellar career.
Gulycz’s familiarity with the Shippensburg University circle helped with his consistent performance throughout Saturday’s competition.
“Just knowing what the pit looks like,” he said, “I was seeing a lot of kids this year fouling. The experience definitely helped me.”
Gulycz spent the 2024 regular season adding to his school record, which previously was held by Lucci. He topped off at 59-6. Though he did not increase that distance, the Viking won EPC, District 11 and PIAA gold medals.
There was pressure that comes with being the top seed each week, but he said he handled it better this year than 2023.
“Last year, I remember my heart jumping out of my chest the whole week leading up to states,” Gulycz said. “This year, I was kind of more calm, just taking each day one at a time.
“Then [Friday night], I was like a kid on Christmas. I couldn’t sleep. I was tossing and turning. I woke earlier than I had set my alarm. But I got here, got in the circle and all your nerves go away. You just focus on giving that first throw everything you have.”
Palmerton’s Logan Anthony (45-2.75) was 17th in the event.
Morning Call reporter Tom Housenick can be reached at 610-820-6651 or at thousenick@mcall.com
Most Popular
Comments / 0