Five things to watch at the PIAA Class AAA girls track championships

By: Paul Schofield
Friday, May 24, 2019 | 11:28 AM

Purchase Photo Options

The PIAA track and field championships begin on Friday at Seth Grove Stadium at Shippensburg. The two-day event concludes Saturday. There are numerous WPIAL athletes competing, and many are capable of bringing home medals. Here are things to look for:

Going for 2

Hempfield senior Mackenna Orie won the shot put and discus at the WPIAL Class AAA championships at Slippery Rock on May 16. Now the DePaul commit is looking for the same results at the PIAA championships. Orie, who was the state indoor champion, is seeded No. 2 in both events behind Council Rock South sophomore Siniru Iheoma, who has a half-inch edge in the shot put and seven-inch edge in the discus.

Family tradition

Avonworth/Northgate senior Hayden Robinson is looking to carry on her family’s tradition of greatness in the sprints. Robinson is seeded No. 1 in the 100-meter dash with an 11.85-second time and is seeded No. 7 in the 200, running a 25.27. Her sister, Hunter Robinson, won the 400 and 200 in 2018, while Hayden finished second in the 100. Hunter also won the 100 and 200 in 2017 and placed second in the 400.

Closing the gap

Oakland Catholic senior Jayla Ellis finished second to Perkiomen Valley senior Christina Warren in 2018 in the 100-meter hurdles. But Ellis’ qualifying time of 18.93 seconds closed the gap on Warren’s 13.85. However, the fastest time turned in for the event is by Conestoga Valley senior Jane Livingstone at 13.66. Ellis wan a 14.03 in the 2018 finals. Ellis also will compete in the long jump.

Tight race

If you’re looking for a tight race, the 800 should be exciting. The top five runners, which include Greensburg Salem senior and WPIAL champion Malia Anderson, are within five seconds of each other. The best time of 2:10.18 is owned by Strath Haven senior Grace Forbes. Anderson ran a 2:13.69 to win the WPIAL title.

Overcoming hurdles

Conestoga Valley senior Jane Livingstone (42.58) is favored the win the 300-meter hurdles, but watch out for Pine-Richland sophomore Danielle Bryant (42.92) and Mt. Lebanon senior Molly Mangan (43.21). Both WPIAL runners will be pushing Livingstone. The PIAA championship record of 41.10 could be challenged.

Paul Schofield is a TribLive reporter covering high school and college sports and local golf. He joined the Trib in 1995 after spending 15 years at the Daily Courier in Connellsville, where he served as sports editor for 14 years. He can be reached at pschofield@triblive.com.

Tags: Avonworth, Greensburg Salem, Hempfield, Mt. lebanon, Northgate, Oakland Catholic, Pine-Richland