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Penn-Trafford track standout Wagner qualifies for Junior Olympics after returning from injury
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Penn-Trafford's Nick Wagner will compete in the USATF Junior Olympics in Sacramento, Calif., in the 800-meter run later this month.
The spring track and field season is a time Penn-Trafford's Nick Wagner typically shines.
But this past season was almost too much to bare as he missed his junior campaign to a lower-body injury.
Wagner has now worked his way back from the injury for the summer track season with the Greensburg YMCA team and qualified for the USA Track and Field Junior Olympics in Sacramento, Calif., later this month.
“It was torture,” Wagner said. “But I made it through it. I tried to support my teammates and help them succeed. I am getting a little satisfaction making it back now.”
Wagner was forced out of competing in the spring after suffering a fractured fibula in his left ankle. While unsure of how it actually occurred, Wagner said he believed it happened after getting kicked in a soccer game.
The injury had him in a cast and then a boot for a number of weeks.
Wagner said he has been working out twice a day since being cleared and has spent a lot of time in both the gym and pool to get back to 100 percent.
“Most kids in the summer are more than happy to let the summer go by and not work hard,” Greensburg YMCA coach Jeff Mayo said. “(Wagner) takes it upon himself to put extra work in.”
At the Region 2 championships at Widener University Chester, Pa., earlier this month, Wagner finished second in the 800-meter run with a time of 1 minutes, 58.81 seconds. He was behind only Isaiah Bailey of the Penn Hills Eagles Track Club and his time of 1:58.15.
“I felt I was due for a good race,” Wagner said. “I ran a pretty good time despite being a little short on training.”
That is what makes the second-place finish even more impressive. He was cleared only a handful of weeks ago and returned to competition last month.
In his first race back at the USATF Three River Association Junior Olympic Championships, Wagner ran a time of 2:05.05 to finish in second place despite dealing with some pain
“His time has dropped seven seconds since then,” Mayo said. “He just has god-given speed. He has been working on his conditioning since coming back.”
Wagner will look to carry on the success he found at the Junior Olympics last season. He finished second in the 17-18 age group in the 800-meter run with a time of 1:53.68.
His second-place finish was the best by any Greensburg YMCA athlete at the event.
“I look at websites and see who is getting noticed around the country,” Wagner said. “I read about people I will compete against. The guy I finished second to last year (Bryce Hoppel) is a Division I guy.
“I am competing against the best at this race.”
While he would like to compete for a gold medal, the trip west will have larger implications. Missing his junior season may have set his college recruiting back a step but being on the big stage should get his name back out there.
“I am hoping some college coaches come out or look at the results,” Wagner said. “I have gotten recruitment letters this year and last year. Hopefully more coaches will see my stats, and there will be more interest.
“I want colleges to see I am back and running. It is giving me a chance.”
The USATF Junior Olympics are set to be held from July 25 to the 31'.
Nathan Smith is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at nsmith@tribweb.com or via Twitter @NSmith_Trib.
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