Herlynn Niepa leads Sewickley Academy athletes at South Fayette Invitational

By: Ray Fisher
Sunday, May 4, 2025 | 11:01 AM

Sewickley Academy’s track and field program finished with a pair of medalists April 26 at the 2025 South Fayette Invitational.

Despite competing in brisk weather conditions, junior Herlynn Niepa placed fourth in the girls high jump event by clearing a height of 4 feet, 11 inches,

Niepa also specializes in the 100- and 200-meter dashes.

Sewickley freshman Zak Sharara ended up eighth in the boys 3,200-meter event at South Fayette, crossing the finish line in 10:14.33.

He also is a 1,600-meter runner for the Panthers.

Another top performance for Sewickley was achieved by senior Cooper D’Antonio, who secured the ninth spot in the boys 800 in 2:04.8. D’Antonio also is a 400-meter specialist.

Other invitational participants for Sewickley’s girls team included freshmen Lisette Niepa (100, 300 hurdles, long jump) and Sophia Spezza (100, 400), sophomores Mya Spadafore (200, 400) and Josephine Courtney (200, 400), junior Raneem Wahdan (800), sophomores Sarah Stephke (800, 1,600) and Kayla Keefer (discus, shot put), and the 1,600-meter relayers.

Several additional members of the boys team competed at South Fayette, including juniors Chase D’Antonio (100, 200) and Eli Koziar (400); senior Quinton Gibbs-Green (100); sophomores Valentino Cercone (100) and Andrew Rhode (3,200); and freshmen Cole Carlson (3,200), Evan Scerbo (long jump) and Mitchell Maslek (discus); plus the 400- and 3,200-meter relayers.

The majority of Sewickley’s track and field athletes this season are underclassmen. The 2025 varsity roster lists 12 freshmen, 10 sophomores, eight juniors and seven seniors.

The Panthers will compete May 8 in the Northern Area Last Chance meet at Pine-Richland, followed by the district finals.

The WPIAL Class 2A boys and girls individual championships will be held May 14 at William C. Lennox Track at Slippery Rock.

Tags: Sewickley Academy