EXETER – Marc Anthony Minichello did not pick up a javelin until his sophomore year in high school.

The three-sport Wyoming Area athlete does not plan on putting it down any time soon.

Minichello held a signing ceremony at the school Tuesday morning to announce his commitment to compete in NCAA Division I track and field as a javelin thrower while continuing his education at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton Business School.

The Warriors senior made an immediate impact in the event, but it was not until last summer when he realized it was the athletic pursuit he would likely continue into college.

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“It was probably the summer going into my senior year,” said Minichello, a four-year starter in football as a wide receiver, defensive back and kick returner. “I realized that football was a little dangerous given my past injuries.

“Track is not as harsh on your body, so I’d be able to make a longer career and be a little more successful.”

Minichello was also a part-time starter in baseball as a sophomore and through most of his junior year. The third baseman/outfielder will continue to play the two sports in the spring of his senior year.

In the javelin, Minichello rose to among the top high school throwers in the country. He finished eighth in the Scholastic Division of the Penn Relays in April, 2017 and followed it up by placing seventh in the New Balance National Outdoor Scholastic Track and Field Championships in June in Greensboro, N.C.

Those performances and some other efforts early in his junior season at Wyoming Area helped Minichello draw attention from about 20 major college programs. He reduced his list of possibilities to Ivy League and Atlantic Coast Conference schools and made official recruiting visits to Penn, Harvard, Dartmouth and Brown.

Minichello is the vice president of his class at Wyoming Area. He is a National Honor Society member as a high honor roll student, who ranks fifth in his graduating class.

Wyoming Area senior Marc Anthony Minichello held a signing ceremony to announce his commitment to study and throw the javelin at the University of Pennsylvania. From left, seated, Antonia Minichello, sister; Marc Anthony Minichello; Paula Minichello, mother. Standing, Mike Fanti, Wyoming Area track and field throwing coach; Dave Pacchioni, assistant principal and strength coach; Joe Pizano, athletic director and head track and field coach; Laura Mudlock, athletic trainer.
https://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/web1_IMG_1005.jpg.optimal.jpgWyoming Area senior Marc Anthony Minichello held a signing ceremony to announce his commitment to study and throw the javelin at the University of Pennsylvania. From left, seated, Antonia Minichello, sister; Marc Anthony Minichello; Paula Minichello, mother. Standing, Mike Fanti, Wyoming Area track and field throwing coach; Dave Pacchioni, assistant principal and strength coach; Joe Pizano, athletic director and head track and field coach; Laura Mudlock, athletic trainer. Tom Robinson | For Sunday Dispatch

By Tom Robinson

For Sunday Dispatch

Reach the Sunday Dispatch newsroom at 570-655-1418 or by email at sd@psdispatch.com.