Nerves started to settle in for Northampton senior Hannah Marth.

Through her first three throws in the javelin event at last week's district track and field meet, Marth failed to produce a throw that qualified her for states. An opportunity at back-to-back appearances in the PIAA Track and Field Championships was in jeopardy.

But those nerves eventually went away, and Marth was able to punch her ticket back to Shippensburg University. The senior finished in second place with a throw of 130-3, behind Jim Thorpe's Brooke Cope, to earn the silver medal in the javelin.

"My first three weren't state-qualifying throws," Marth said. "I was a little nervous, but once I got the 130 I calmed down a little bit."

Cope threw a district-best 135-5 in the javelin. Her and Marth were the only competitors to eclipse the 130-foot mark at the District 11 Class AAA Track and Field Championships at Whitehall High School's Zephyr Sports Complex last Tuesday.

"She is really good," Marth said. "Last year she got fourth at districts, but I knew she was throwing 130-140 this year."

Marth's throw at districts was over six feet further than her throw in the Colonial League championship meet that won her the javelin event.

The biggest reason for that increase has been her continued dedication on the details and fundamentals in recent weeks. She'll continue to perfect those skills, this time as the lone Konkrete Kid left competing, as she looks to put together a memorable run in states.

"Practices are just me now, so it's a lot more focused on my technique," Marth said. "We just focus harder on forms and smaller technique things."

The stage at states last year might have had an effect on Marth's performance. Being there for the first time, she didn't know what to expect as a junior. It was the best competition she had seen all year, and her time with coaches and teammates was limited.

But with a year of experience under her belt, she's hoping to build on her district mark this week with an even higher throw at states.

"I hope to hit at least 120 or 130," Marth said. "And to not freak out. There's a bunch of girls, and you can't be by your coach at all."

While Marth is the only Konkrete Kid heading to states, plenty of others had successful outings at districts.

Aja Blount also medaled at the event, finishing fourth in the discus event with a throw of 98-6.

The follow Konkrete Kids placed in the top 10 of their respective events: Coltan Maxwell (sixth in 400 meter dash), Morgan Heffelfinger (seventh in 100 meter dash), Taylor Fullin (seventh in 300 meter hurdles), Joelle Perelli (eighth in 3200 meter run) and Meghan Hemingway (10th in discus).

Marth will compete in the Class AAA javelin on Friday, the first day of states, at 12:30 p.m.