Shady Side Academy relay team setting the pace

By: Josh Rizzo
Saturday, April 18, 2026 | 11:01 AM

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The Shady Side Academy girls track team went to the Tri-State Track Coaches Association meet at West Mifflin looking to see how special its 3,200-meter relay team could be.

The Bulldogs should be encouraged by their early returns.

The team of Rhyley Bendel, Ella Van Norman, Charlotte Barker and Josie Lenart finished with a time of 9 minutes, 34.17 seconds to place first. The Bulldogs came in eight seconds ahead of Erie Cathedral Prep’s team.

“They are well ahead of where we were last year,” Shady Side Academy coach Jeff Perlis said. “We had a couple of them miss time during the winter with little injuries. We hoped to run a 4×800 time over the weekend.”

The Bulldogs’ 3,200 relay team captured the WPIAL Class 2A championship and placed fifth in the state.

Perlis has been excited with the Bulldogs’ start. Shady Side Academy didn’t beat Quaker Valley in a dual meet but kept the event within a manageable distance.

“This is the strongest team I’ve had in terms of depth and athletes at the top,” Perlis said. “We have strong senior athletes and a lot of good leaders. I’m excited for how they are going to stack up down the road.”

Aurora Cunkelman is off to a strong start in the throws this season. Cunkleman finished first against Quaker Valley and Sewickley Academy with a throw of 106 feet, 3 inches.

Maria Ravotti, who is committed to play soccer at Providence, is battling back from knee injuries to compete in the hurdles.

The Bulldogs are expecting Reese Kearns to be competitive in the jumps. In addition to the jumping events, Kearns competed in the pole vault. Francesca Pietragallo has found a lot of success in the sprinting events.

Perlis thinks this group will be equipped for success as the large invitationals start up. The Butler Invitation is the first in a series of events that will test the Bulldogs’ mettle.

“We have a whole bunch of gamers who will rise to the level of their competition when pushed,” Perlis said. “Big meets like Butler bring out the best in our group.”

Tags: Shady Side Academy