Tamaqua’s Katelynn Fredericks and Panther Valley’s Michael Pascoe came up big when it mattered most Friday at the 12th Annual Blue Raider Invitational.

Fredericks turned a late lean into a win in the 100 hurdles, while Pascoe produced his best mark with his last throw to win the discus.

No pressure.

“I knew I had to go for it so I went out and got it,” said Pascoe.

Pascoe won the discus with a throw of 129-03. Marian’s Jesse Rodino was second with a throw of 124-03. Pascoe was second with a throw that was around 123-0 entering his last throw before getting his winning mark.

The senior wasn’t fazed by the situation.

“I definitely feel more confident,” said Pascoe. “I know that if i don’t get it, I don’t get it, and there’s another meet and I’m just hoping to throw my best for districts. I just try to put everything into it and we’ll see what happens.

“I’m starting to work on my spin now, so hopefully I can get that down to stay balanced and get a good release and see how far it goes.”

Pascoe, who won the Schuylkill League title in the event last season, credited Panthers’ throwing coach Mike Tomko for helping him continue to make strides in his events. “I just started working with him last year,” said Pascoe. “He’s really helped me a lot. He threw when he was in high school and he was a good thrower. We’re kind of built the same, so he helps me just feel what’s comfortable and do what’s best.”

Tomko has enjoyed coaching all of the Panther Valley throwers, who have developed a healthy culture, which was on display Friday.

“We’ve worked hard to build a good throwing program at Panther Valley, and I think it’s showing,” said Tomko. “They put the time in the weight room, they put the time in to work on technique. And I couldn’t be any more proud of the kids.”

Pascoe also placed third in the shot put with a mark of 42-07.75.

“Michael is one of those kids that has so much natural talent,” said Tomko. “But he doesn’t rest on that, He also puts in the hard work and puts in the time with throwing, between baseball and track, whether it’s at night or on weekends and things like that.

“I think this is just an example of someone who puts in that hard work and now you get to see the results.”

Pascoe, who was seeded with a mark of 131-04 in the discus, the same as Pottsville’s Joey Palko, is also enjoying a stellar season for the Panthers’ unbeaten baseball team.

“It’s definitely fun to come out here and compete,” said Pascoe, who is hitting .708 this season for 8-0 Panther Valley. “We’re playing good in baseball, doing well here. So it’s just been a really enjoyable spring season. A good way to end my senior year.”

Fredericks won the 100 hurdles with great lean at the finish after coming over the last hurdle in second place.

Fredericks won with a time of 17.29, just ahead of Pine Grove’s Domani Callazo (17.31).

“She was really close. I saw her,” said Fredericks. “It was kind of scary, to be honest. I knew I had to lean.”

Fredericks, who ran a 17.78 in the prelims, has worked on perfecting her finishes.

“Last year, I tried it, and I fell in one of my races,” Fredericks said. “But I really got it down this year. I definitely feel a lot more confident with the hurdles. My coaches have really helped me a lot.”

Fredericks was thrilled with the drop in time.

“I’m really happy,” she said. “My last meet on Wednesday I had an 18 flat. I just wanted to improve. I didn’t really have a time in mind.”

Her time of 17.78 was second-fastest in the prelims behind Pottsville’s Alexa Giuffre (16.90).

Fredericks also advanced to the finals in the 100 and 200, where she finished eighth in both events.

The freshman was also on the 400 relay team with Lamore Gayle, Sarah Hope and Samantha Plash that placed second with a time of 53.26.

PANTHER PRIDE ... The Panthers throwing prowess was on display with Brad Jones also placing third in the javelin with a throw of 152-05.

“The environment is crazy. This is definitely one of the invitationals I like to be at,” said Jones. “The competition, it’s not really about that. It’s just about the people that you’re meeting and the experience that comes with it.”

Freshman Brenda Banks was fifth in the shot put for Panther Valley with a mark of 32-06.75.

TOP THREE ... Tamaqua’s Martin Griffin placed third in the triple jump (40-02) and long jump (20-09.5), while the Blue Raider boys 3200 relay team of Stephen Kieffer, Levi Kunkel, Jathan Krall and Jesse Gormley earned bronze with a time of 8:49.26 and Sarah Hope placed third in the triple jump with a leap of 31-06. The Marian girls team of Caitlyn Kovatch, Alena Lombardo, Kerrigan Digris and Carly Minchhoff also placed third in the 400 relay with a time of 54.24. Alex Porambo also placed third in the 800 for the Colts with a time of 2:06.96.

WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS ... Blue Mountain won the girls team title at the 14-team event with 162.5 points ahead of Hazleton (136) and Pottsville (91). The Tamaqua girls were fifth with 53.50 points. Hazleton won the boys team title with 129.33 to top Nativity (102.75) and Minersville (83). The Blue Raider boys were also fifth with 56.75 points.