Even when she watched one of the area's top throwers hit a mark in the javelin on her first attempt that would be tough to beat, Northampton senior Hannah Marth, last year's district runner-up, bounced back in a big way.

After Liberty's Jochobed Arthur threw an impressive 123-9, Marth hit the very same mark shortly after to cement her first-place finish last Tuesday, the opening day of last week's Eastern Pennsylvania Conference (EPC) Track and Field Championships at Whitehall High School's Zephyrs Sports Complex.

Marth was the only Konkrete Kid to place in the top-four of an event and medal at the meet.

"I was throwing consistently, which is good for me," Marth said. "I was able to keep my nerves down, despite the fact that she [Jochobed] beat me in her first throw."

It wasn't too long ago that Marth got to experience a championship-type atmosphere. Back on April 24, the senior participated in the William Allen Invitational where she also took first in the javelin.

But this meet had slightly more on the line.

It was a chance to represent the best of the EPC. It was also an opportunity to prepare more for the upcoming district meet, and assuming she makes it passed that, the PIAA Championships.

Marth was aware of the competition that stood in front of her, and she attacked it like she does best.

"I just felt like I had to focus and not let my nerves take over everything," Marth said.

She also saved her best mark of the season for last week.

"Last year I threw a 129," Marth said. "But this year, that's the farthest I have thrown."

While Marth was the only Konkrete Kid to medal, plenty of others had successful days on the track and in the field.

The following athletes placed in the top 10 of their respective events, with top-eight finishers awarded points toward Northampton's team totals: Colton Maxwell (sixth in 400 meter dash), Aja Blount (eighth in discus), John Pereira (ninth in 300 meter hurdles), Meghan Hemmingway (ninth in discus and javelin) and Lauren Sterner (10th in 800 meter run).

Additionally, the boys' 4x100 meter relay team finished in fifth place.