A-K Valley track and field preview: Burrell girls hope to defend WPIAL team title

By: HSSN Staff
Friday, March 30, 2018 | 8:57 PM

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The Burrell girls track and field team hoisted the WPIAL Class AA team championship trophy for the first time last spring.

A deep lineup on the track and in the throws and jumps helped the Bucs turn away section rival Freeport, as well as Beaver and South Park, at Baldwin to take home the crown.

As with any championship team, graduation takes away top contributors, and Burrell had to say goodbye to WPIAL individual champions Nikki Scherer and Lizzy Weimer, as well as WPIAL medalists Alaina York, Courtney Hughes and Eliza Oswalt.

But coach Steve White said those returning are working hard hoping to lead the team back to the top of the standings.

“We wouldn't have been in the position we were in last year without the girls I have this year,” White said. “Our cupboard is still full. We still have some talented athletes, from those returning to some freshman who could make an impact. I'm very optimistic they are going to have a good season.”

Scherer, Hughes and York; senior Taylor Johnson; juniors Allie Kuhns and Mckenzie White; and sophomore Olivia Kelly were parts of the WPIAL champion 400-meter relay — either competing or as alternates — from the start of the season to the state meet.

White said the returning girls are working toward lifting the relay back to the top of the WPIAL in Class AA.

“It's very hard to repeat (as team champion). A lot of things have to fall into place,” White said. “We have good teams in our own section, and a lot of teams throughout the WPIAL will be hoping to unseat us.”

Junior Kaylen Sharrow (fourth, 300 hurdles) and Naomi Hanna (sixth, shot put) also picked up WPIAL medals for the Bucs last year.

While the Burrell girls are eyeing a team title defense, Freeport sophomore Sidney Shemanski is hoping to hold off challengers to her WPIAL Class AA 800 championship.

She went on to place fifth at states, and the top four finishers in Shippensburg were seniors.

“Last year, I was an unknown freshman who surprised everyone,” Shemanski said. “I know there might be a freshman this year who could do the same thing.”

Shemanski and junior Loreena Stewart are back for the Freeport girls' 1,600 relay that took fourth at WPIALs and qualified for states.

For the second consecutive season, the top 24 Class AAA and top 16 Class AA athletes in each event will be entered into the WPIAL individual championship meet at Baldwin High School based on times, heights or distances achieved throughout the regular season.

At the WPIAL finals, the top five Class AA finishers in each event and top four in Class AAA automatically will qualify for the PIAA championships. Also, other individuals or relays which finish in the top eight and meet a set qualifying standard will move on to states.

Mother Nature, with cold temperatures, wind, snow and rain, has toyed with practices, scrimmages and early-season meets. Valley, Leechburg, Riverview and Burrell were able to gather at Valley on Monday for a Section 7-AA quad meet, but other meets this past week were postponed or canceled.

“Hopefully, we'll all catch a break soon,” said Apollo-Ridge coach Bob Desiderato, who welcomes back a number of key contributors from last year, including sophomore Mayce Anthony, a fourth-place finisher in the Class AA girls 300 hurdles at WPIALs and a state qualifier.

Valley senior Darius Johnson is back hoping to defend his WPIAL title in the Class AA boys high jump. He finished fourth in the event at states.

“Darius can take that next step,” Valley coach George Webb said. “It comes down to putting the time in to get the results. ”

Johnson also was sixth at WPIALs in the long jump. Webb said he also can make his mark in the sprints and the triple jump.

The Freeport boys 3,200 relay captured a WPIAL title last year and was 11th at states. Seniors Alec Parker and Johnathan Asay are back from that squad.

Fox Chapel junior Kate Carnevale is one of the top sprinters in the WPIAL. She produced two WPIAL Class AAA medals last year, including a runner-up finish in the 200, and competed at states in the 200 and 100. In all, 31 returning individuals and relays from the A-K Valley brought home championships or top-eight medals from WPIALs last year.

“It was a great year all the way around for the A-K Valley,” White said. “I'm hopeful that continues again. Yes, we're all competitive against each other, but it's great to see everyone from the area do well (at WPIALs and states).”

Michael Love is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at mlove@tribweb.com or via Twitter @Mlove_Trib.

Tags: Apollo-Ridge, Burrell, Fox Chapel, Freeport, Valley