Bethel Park’s Emily Carter wins 3,200 meters, sets PIAA record in AAA

By: Paul Schofield
Saturday, May 25, 2019 | 10:46 AM

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SHIPPENSBURG — All Bethel Park sophomore Emily Carter was expecting at the PIAA track and field championships Saturday was a place on the podium.

But the WPIAL Class AAA champion outdid herself. She ended up standing on the top of the podium following the 3,200-meter final.

Carter finished in 10 minutes, 16.02 seconds, which was a personal record by 20 seconds, and she set a new PIAA record. The old mark was held by Pennsbury’s Sara Sargent (10:21.06) set in 2010.

“Through the race, I tried to stay patient and stay in third or fourth place,” Carter said. “I didn’t expect to win, but I thought I’d be in the Top 3.”

Then, on the final lap, Carter decided to go for it.

“I was in second place, and I felt I had nothing to lose. I was pretty much a lock to be second, so I went for it. It was amazing to win.”

Now, the sophomore can look to repeat the next two seasons.

“I never thought I’d do that,” Carter said. “I was amazing.”

Carter said being at states pushed her to the record performance.

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: Bethel Park