Mifflin County is in its first boys' track and field season in the Mid-Penn Commonwealth Division. With that change, some new top-level athletes entered the conferecne.
One of them is Jonathan Colwell, a successful distance runner at Mifflin County. Colwell competed in the Penn Relays last weekend, participating in the 3000-meter run.
Colwell started strong, leading the race after 1,200 meters and still holding a strong second place after 2,200 meters. But after that, he lost steam as other runners gained strength, and he ultimately finished 26th with an 8:47.42.
When did you get your start in track and field?
My freshman year, I was a soccer player. I was probably going to start. But my parents told me if I ran cross country, I'd get a cell phone. So I started to run [cross country and track] and now I'd never think of going back to soccer.
How have you adjusted to Mifflin County moving to the Mid-Penn?
It's a big jump. We were in the Mountain League, and you could just get through meets. Here there are no easy meets. The quality of the meets is big jump.
How did you react when you found out you were going to the Penn Relays?
That was the most exciting thing ever. Only one other person from my own county had ever gone before.
What was the experience of running the 3000 like?
The plan was to go all out for it. I wanted to come home with the gold, or to know that I went for it.
What goals do you have for the rest of the spring?
Definitely to be on the medal stand for the two-mile at states. My top priority would be to go for the gold there, but I definitely want to medal. And I'd really like to break five minutes in the mile.
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