Versatile Mucci etching her mark for Latrobe track and field

By: Paul Schofield
Wednesday, April 17, 2019 | 9:12 PM

Purchase Photo Options

Purchase Photo Options

Previous Next

If the rules allowed it, Faith Mucci would participate in more than four events for the Latrobe track and field team.

The junior is one of the top sprinters and jumpers in the WPIAL and a two-time PIAA qualifier.

She is one of those athletes who can do just about anything, said Latrobe assistant coach Michele Butler, and she is trying to etch her mark like previous Latrobe female athletes.

That list includes distance runner Natalie Bower, sprinters Hannah Green and Gabby Wirick, pole vaulter Caitlin Hewitt, hurdlers Maddie Mueseler and Kim McDonagh and thrower April Krivoniak.

“She’s a special athlete, she ranks up there with some of the all-around good athletes that we’ve had over the years,” Butler said. “The other day, she went over to the high jump and jumped 4-foot-7 with no form and no technique. She just ran to the bar and leaped.”

And while the high jump probably isn’t an event she will compete in, Mucci’s concentration will be on getting faster for her runs and jumps.

At the Lady Spartan/Wildcat Invitational on April 13, Mucci won the 200-meter dash, placed sixth in the long jump and ran the 400- and 1,600-meter relays. Both placed second.

She was satisfied with her time in the 200 and pleased with her 400 splits in the 1,600-meter relay.

“I felt I did pretty well,” Mucci said. “The weather was nice, and it definitely helped out. I did not PR (personal record) in the 200, but I ran my best 400 in the 1,600 (relay) so this far in the season.

“I’m happy where I’m at so far this season. I want to get my times with the future meets to come, and as long as I train to the best of my ability, I think I’ll be able to do that.”

Mucci and her teammates will get a chance to improve their times at the Butler Invitational on Thursday. The annual Westmoreland County Coaches’ Association meet is April 27.

“She could run a lot of different things, but there is just not enough time or events,” Butler said. “She pretty much can run anything from the 100 to the 800, and now we added long jump.

“Right now she wants to see where she’s at in those events, and then we’ll decide what individual events and relays she’ll compete in. She probably could potential qualify in all four individual events.”

Mucci qualified for the 2017 PIAA championships at Shippensburg in the 400 and 1,600 relay. In 2018, she earned a second trip in the 200 and 400 relay.

“She is the fastest runner in both relays,” Butler said. “She’s a good athlete, works hard in practice. She sets the tempo and pace everyday at practice, which is a lot of pressure for her to have.

“We are working on that because she’s such a great leader. The pressure is hard for her as a junior as we only have one senior sprinter. My expectations for her are to step up as a leader just because of the type of athlete she is and the quality she brings. I’m excited for what she’s going to be able to do.”

For Mucci, she has her sights on making another trip to the state tournament. Her focus is on the sprints.

“Making the states helped my confidence,” Mucci said. “I need to train to the best of my ability, make sure I do all the right things, stay healthy, and if I do all of those things, I can make it there.”

Mucci hasn’t earned a medal from the state meet yet. She hopes to this year.

Paul Schofield is a TribLive reporter covering high school and college sports and local golf. He joined the Trib in 1995 after spending 15 years at the Daily Courier in Connellsville, where he served as sports editor for 14 years. He can be reached at pschofield@triblive.com.

Tags: Latrobe