The items jostling around in Claire Conti’s bag provide her with the badge of a rugged postseason veteran.

Was there rain at the WPIAL Class 3A track and field championships at Slippery Rock University? Yes, but it was a minor inconvenience for the Fox Chapel senior.

Conti had everything she needed to get through the situation.

“Physically preparing is just as important as mentally preparing,” Conti said. “I had hot hands, rain jackets and pant layers. I bundled up and mentally prepared, I wasn’t just saying, ‘This sucks. Why is it raining?’ I just said it was liquid sunshine.”

Conti’s aura propelled her through the Pennsylvania gray skies and back into the PIAA Class 3A championships with a throw of 119 feet, 4 inches that allowed her to place third in the discus. During Conti’s junior season, she won the WPIAL championship in the discus.

“I think I threw pretty well for how crappy the weather was,” Conti said. “It was cold, rainy, and I couldn’t feel my feet well. My coaches are always telling me whoever shows up the most prepared does the best.”

Conti should be prepared for the journey to Shippensburg. This is her fourth trip to the state meet. She wants to come home with a medal that has eluded her.

“As for this being her last season, I know this means a great deal for her,” Fox Chapel coach Thomas Moul said. “She’s matured naturally over the years, but she was actually pretty mature when she arrived as a freshman.

Conti finished 13th at states last season with a throw of 120-6 and in 15th place in the shot put with a throw of 36-3 ¾.

One of the advantages of having been to states in the knowledge of what to be ready for. Conti feels it is a more difficult place to throw.

“I know going to Shippensburg, the circle is faster,” Conti said. “That’s a mental thing going to throw in a circle you don’t throw in often. It’s already fast, having rain on top of that is scary. I’ve fallen, people have fallen. It hurts.”

Fox Chapel’s 3,200-meter girls relay team — consisting of Claire Loludice, Bridget Hemingray, Ella Shevchuk and Sydney Kimmons — placed second with a time of 9:32.67 to punch their ticket to states.

Marin Arik will be called on to run in the relay at states in place of Kimmons, who has an injury.

“I love this group going to states,” Moul said. “The epitome of coachable, hard working and great teammates. The girls’ 4×800 have made it to the state meet three seasons this year: cross country, indoor and outdoor.”

Loludice also finished seventh in the 3,200 run with a time of 11:04.37. Max Youkers placed fifth in the 200 (22.26) and Michael Costello finished ninth in the 1,600 (4:30.31).

Conti is excited to have one more chance to add a state medal to her collection before she competes at Allegheny College next year.

“I have accomplished so much during my years,” Conti said. “Qualifying as a freshman was the coolest thing ever. Winning the WPIAL last year, I accomplished everything I could have in high school. I’m ready to start something new. Have new teammates, new uniforms and see how it goes.”