Her eyes widened with disbelief.Brittany McPike was in awe of what she had just witnessed.So she threw again. Once more, shock.The Wright City senior discus thrower surprised even herself on Saturday, winning the Class 3 sectional meet by shattering her personal best.McPike ran away from the field with a distance of 121 feet, 11 inches on her first throw during competition.“I was in utter shock,” acknowledged McPike. “I have no idea where that throw  came from.”She had recorded four solid throws during warm-ups, boosting her confidence.“I honestly did not believe it, because I hadn’t thrown close to that before,” said McPike, whose previous best throw was 106 feet a week earlier at districts.“I saw her last two warm-up throws, and they were perfect,” said Coach Sue Wright. “I thought, ‘this is her time.’ ”McPike’s drastic improvement helped her shatter the school record of 115 feet previously held by Gina Blanks. Not often do Wright’s athletes surpass her expectations, but this was an exception.“I thought she had a good chance of breaking the record,” said Wright. “Was I surprised at the distance — absolutely.”Some concern lingered around how well the Wildcats’ seniors would perform after very little sleep the night before. On Friday evening they had participated in graduation followed by an overnight class lock-in.“I wasn’t really worried about not getting much sleep, but my parents were,” said McPike. “I thought it was funny that they were so concerned.”Typically stricken by nerves, McPike says she entered sectionals with a “whatever happens” attitude, coveting the opportunity to be Wright City’s only remaining female competitor.“It’s all so crazy and overwhelming, but I love it,” said McPike.Any anxiety her supporters may have been experiencing quickly subsided as the other seven throwers struggled to stay in bounds and landed inferior distances.“After that first throw, I wasn’t worried about winning,” said McPike. “I was pretty sure that would get me through.”She focused on technique during her final three throws, perfecting footwork and height.Now McPike will continue a storied four-year varsity career. Competing in three sports, she hasn’t enjoyed elaborate success but has still managed to leave an indelible mark.“This is a tear-jerker situation for sure,” said Wright. “She’s worked so hard. As a coach, I’m so elated for her.”Already surprised at the rewards reaped by her efforts, McPike will press on toward her next goal of making it on Wright City’s all-state performers wall.“It’s incredible, because I never thought that this would happen,” said McPike. “If you would have asked me at beginning of the season I’d go to state, I would have told you you’re crazy.”MCPIKE THROWS PERSONAL BESTDerrick Forsythe Photo.