SSA girls track hopes to repeat postseason success

By: Marty Stewart
Friday, April 12, 2019 | 6:55 PM

The Shady Side Academy girls track and field team, despite a 3-6 regular season record, found success at the WPIAL and PIAA championships in 2018.

Hannah Steffey, Aya Youssef, Krystyna Rytel and Sophia McMahon finished in 10th place in the 400-meter relay at the WPIAL meet.

The 1,600 relay team of Steffey, Rytel, Jeanne Lauer and Melissa Riggins took first at the WPIAL championship meet and earned a fourth-place medal at states.

Riggins took first at the WPIAL and PIAA meets in the 800 and 1,600.

The girls finished fourth among Class AA teams in the state meet.

Although the team lost nine girls to graduation, coach Paul Bodnarchuk is optimistic.

“We welcomed back a substantial number of athletes along with 14 new members, most of whom are freshmen,” he said.

The team will be led by senior captains Gabby White (sprints, hurdles, relays), Youssef (400 and 400 relay) and Sophia McMahon (400, 1,600 relay, long jump).

Also returning are Riggins, a sophomore, along with seniors Rytel (1,600 relay, 3,200 relay and 400), Jordyn Harris (400 relay, 100 and 200), Brooklynne Lowry (100, 200) and Bella Cavagna (hurdles and middle distance).

“The team is looking forward with excitement and enthusiasm to the new season,” Bodnarchuk said. “We are in a new WPIAL section and will be competing in six sectional meets this year. Four of the teams are new to the schedule thus bringing an extra sense of anticipation to how the team may do in their competitions this year.

“Although our total numbers are down slightly compared to 2018, the girls have been training with focus and determination to get ready for the competitive season and to find where and how to apply their interests to the many events in a track and field meet.”

Tags: Shady Side Academy