Gavin Schmidt delivered in the discus Saturday after his disappointment in districts, the Strath Haven senior finishing second in the PIAA Class 3A state championships with a throw of 177-1. For the longest time it looked like Schmidt would win gold in the event, but Peyton Murray of Hempfield Area grabbed the gold with a throw of 186-6. “His first throw was 15 feet better than anybody in the first flight,” Strath Haven coach George Munro said.

“Then he threw two feet farther on his last throw to get into the finals. In the second flight nobody really stepped up and he was still leading after the first round in that flight.” When Murray launched a throw of 171-2, Schmidt threw 177-1.

Murray threw 186 on his last throw, Schmidt 175-2. All in all, a great high school career for Schmidt. “It’s been a great 14 months,” Munro said.

“He didn’t do track until last year. He didn’t know how to throw the discus until March of last year. He just put so much time into it from Day 1 and he fell in love with the event.

” Munro coaxed Schmidt into trying indoor track by convincing him he could throw the discus twice a week. “All winter he’s saying, ‘I can’t wait until discus season,’ because it’s not an indoor event,” Munro said of Schmidt. “Oh, yeah, I’m going to miss him and Brian (Seals).

Brian, District 1 champ, state finalist. He had a great career. He was our No.

1 thrower for the last three years. Gavin is a little more talented, but Brian was t.