It all came down to perhaps the final throw of her career. But when she needed it the most, she simply nailed it.

That’s called performing in the clutch.

Meet Kirstin West, the reigning District Three Class AAA javelin champion.

On Saturday afternoon at Shippensburg University’s Seth Grove Stadium, during the district meet, West earned that title on her final throw. The Palmyra junior entered the competition seeded third and was situated in third place after five throws.

When West let it go, she knew it was something good. And when the judges laid out the measuring tape, they came up with a length of 140-9.

Not only was it the winning throw, the 140-9 was also West’s personal best and just two feet short of the Palmyra High School record. In addition, the throw qualified her for next weekend’s PIAA Track and Field Championships, back at Seth Grove Stadium.

Earlier this postseason, West, who also excels in the sport of volleyball, captured the javelin title at the Lebanon County Track and Field Championships at Lebanon High School.

 – Jeff Falk