Trib HSSN rewind: A look back at the 2018-19 girls outdoor track season

By: Chris Harlan
Tuesday, July 16, 2019 | 11:57 PM

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Maybe the biggest story of track season came months earlier when the WPIAL decided to move the individual championship meet to Slippery Rock.

Baldwin had hosted the Class AAA meet 30 out of 32 years since 1987 (excluding 1989-90), and the Class AA competition moved there in 2009.

Both relocated to SRU.

UPDATED: After 32 years at Baldwin, #WPIAL track championships are headed to Slippery Rock. Baldwin superintendent says school "absolutely" would have hosted again if asked. WPIAL decided to look elsewhere. #TribHSSNhttps://t.co/rlXV6od5nE

— Chris Harlan (@CHarlan_Trib) August 8, 2018

South Park senior Maura Huwalt highlighted the WPIAL championship by sweeping the Class AA throwing events and winning three gold medals.

Winning two individual WPIAL events were Bethel Park’s Emily Carter (1,600, 3,200), Oakland Catholic’s Jayla Ellis (100 hurdles, high jump), Avonworth/Northgate’s Hayden Robinson (100, 200) and Hempfield’s Mackenna Orie (discus, shot put) in Class AAA girls.

Shady Side Academy’s Melissa Riggins (800, 1,600), South Park’s Maddie Raymond (100, 200) and East Allegheny’s C-Keiyah Marshall (400, long jump) won two Class AA girls events.

Bright sun and blue skies today ⁦@shippensburgU⁩ for the ⁦@PIAASports⁩ track and field championships #PIAA #TribHSSN pic.twitter.com/M7IZDlTGiw

— Chris Harlan (@CHarlan_Trib) May 24, 2019

Shady Side Academy sophomore Melissa Riggins wins the 800 AA race. @CHarlan_Trib @schofield_jp @TribLiveHSSN @TribSports @schofield_jp pic.twitter.com/ucgDZYrDLw

— JP Schofield (@schofield_jp) May 25, 2019

Riggins won twice more when the competition shifted to Shippensburg for the state championships. The sophomore successfully defended her PIAA 800- and 1,600-meter titles.

Also winning state titles were Brownsville’s Gionna Quarzo and Bethel Park’s Emily Carter in the 3,200 meters, Avonworth/Northgate’s Hayden Robinson in the 100 meters and Burrell’s 400-meter relay.

PIAA championship results

Burrell girls win the 4×100 relay at the #PIAA Class AA track and field championships today in Shippensburg #TribHSSN

?@Hornerfoto1 pic.twitter.com/BwzQLWuNyT

— Chris Harlan (@CHarlan_Trib) May 25, 2019

Brownsville’s Gionna Quarzo defends her title in the Class AA girls 3,200 meters and sets a #PIAA record #TribHSSN pic.twitter.com/WUJJMLJwD7

— Chris Harlan (@CHarlan_Trib) May 25, 2019

Avonworth/Northgate’s Hayden Robinson feels “relief” as she wins the #PIAA Class AA 100-meter title after finishing as state runner-up twice #TribHSSN pic.twitter.com/vEmhAV7gzA

— Chris Harlan (@CHarlan_Trib) May 25, 2019

Chris Harlan is a TribLive reporter covering sports. He joined the Trib in 2009 after seven years as a reporter at the Beaver County Times. He can be reached at charlan@triblive.com.

Tags: Avonworth, Bethel Park, Brownsville, Burrell, East Allegheny, Hempfield, Northgate, Oakland Catholic, Shady Side Academy, South Park