Smaller track teams competing for Penn-Trafford

By: HSSN Staff
Friday, April 6, 2018 | 11:00 PM

The Penn-Trafford track and field teams are playing a numbers game this season.

The Warriors have seen a decrease in the number of athletes on the roster — after having around 120 in recent seasons, the team has dipped to around 80 this year.

“We have much smaller teams than we have had the last several years,” first-year coach Eric Reger said. “With smaller teams, I want to establish a sense of community. I want the kids to rely on each other and build the program from the ground up.”

Despite low numbers, the Warriors return numerous talented athletes on both the boys and girls team.

The boys team will get a boost by the return of senior John Gay. The Air Force football commit set the school record in the 100-meter dash last season.

“We think the 200 will be his better race this season with how strong he has gotten,” Reger said. “Our 4×100 team always has a chance with (Gay) running the anchor leg.”

Sophomore Evan Painter can compete as a sprinter but will look to find success in the long jump. In the Warriors' first meet of the season, he recorded a leap of 20 feet.

A trio of runners from the cross country team — junior Chris Watson, sophomore Hayden Wolfe and freshman Patrick Driscoll — will pace the team in the distance events. Senior Tyler Brinko will compete in both the 110 and 300 hurdles.

Nicolas Stiffler will look to build off a successful junior campaign — the senior qualified for the PIAA championships in the high jump and finished 10th with a leap of 6 feet, 2 inches.

“He is just a natural talent,” Reger said. “It was his first year as a junior. He made it to states with very little training and experience. He can do a lot more with more training under his belt.”

Senior Cam Elma will look to build off a strong junior season in the throwing events. The Tiffin track commit qualified for the WPIAL championships in the shot put last season.

“He is going to be a big-time scorer for us,” Reger said. “In the first meet, he finished first in the shot put and discuss. He also finished third in the javelin having never done that before.”

The girls team has several athletes set to excel in the dashes and hurdles. Senior Maura Hileman is competing in the 300-meter hurdles and 400 run, and senior Megan Wittman is the top sprinter.

Freshmen Lizzie Cermack and Sydney Granack have started the season strong. Shermack finished first in the 100 and 300 hurdles, and Cermack topped the 100 and 200 in Penn-Trafford's first meet against Latrobe.

“The 4×100 will probably be our best relay with Maura, Megan and the two freshmen,” Reger said. “Those four will get us points throughout the year.”

In distance events, junior Quincey Reese and freshman Emily Kleinschmidt will look to transition from a solid cross country season in the fall.

Gabrielle Schlessinger qualified for the WPIAL championship last year in the high jump — the senior got extra training over the winter with her first season of indoor track.

The girls team will receive a boost with the return of junior Reaghan Panza, who qualified for the WPIAL championship last season in the javelin.

“In our first meet this year, her throw was almost as good as her best throw last season,” Reger said. “So she has picked up where she let off last season.”

Nathan Smith is a freelance writer.

Tags: Penn-Trafford