Shaler girls track and field aiming to get more athletes to WPIAL meet

By: HSSN Staff
Sunday, March 25, 2018 | 11:00 PM

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Shaler girls track and field coach Abi May has a simple message for her athletes: Anyone not taking the early season dual meets seriously might end up on the outside looking in when it comes time for the WPIAL Class AAA championships.

The Titans return two WPIAL qualifiers from last season — Claire Schreiber (long jump, triple jump and 400-meter relay) and Maddie Martin (400 relay) — but May would like to see more make the trip.

“Definitely getting more athletes to qualify for WPIALs,” May said. “Now that we are accustomed to the new change in qualifying for WPIALs, athletes are realizing the importance of dual meets prior to invitationals.

“We're going into the season with the highest level of understanding of what we need to get our athletes to do to qualify for WPIALs. We are stronger as a team as well as knowing what the new process is.”

The Titans, who didn't have any athletes qualify for PIAAs last season, have several candidates to take steps forward this season. Claire Schreiber placed eighth in the triple jump at WPIALs last season with a leap of 35 feet, 2 ¹⁄₄ inches and finished 17th in the long jump (16-8 ¹⁄₄).

Maddie Bartosh (jumps), Maura Fisher (javelin, high jump), Adeline Kubicsek (high jump) and Maddie Martin (sprints) will be athletes to keep an eye on heading into the season.

May is glad Shaler still has some time to get work in outside. Like most other schools in Western Pennsylvania, winter weather has kept the Titans' practices indoors.

“The first meet isn't until April 10,” May said. “We have a solid month to get ourselves strong and battling the outdoor weather. We've had more indoor practices and focus on lifting. We are building the strength we need and focus more on workouts inside. I don't think they comprehended the seriousness of every meet last year.”

May is hoping to have more athletes among the top 24 in every event, which is the qualifying standard for WPIALs. The new system was put into place last season to move away from having qualifying meets at the end of the season.

“I think the system is moving in the right direction,” May said. “I do wish it was more like swimming. I was a swimmer, and it was the same process: At any point of the season if you qualify, you get to go. There's no top-24 list. I understand they are trying to limit the heats of each event.”

Josh Rizzo is a freelance writer.

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