Track Stories & Where Are They Now!

Over 30 years of coaching have allowed me to accumulate many stories.  The stories all have one thing in common, young women & men!  Young men & women, all trying to do the same thing, become the best track & field athlete possible!!  Along the way, they have ti deal with being a teenager!!!  Yes, a teenager in a world that never seems to be ready for teenagers!

To be a successful high school coach one must take these young & talented men & women to a new level - the level of a champion!!!

First, there are different levels of champions!  The most obvious is the state champion!  This champion is rare, and coaching this athlete is also challenging!  At Hempfield, we have had several state champions!

Boys
Kyle Long - 2012 - Discus
Kyle Long - 2011 - Discus
Kyle Long - 2011 - Shot
David Patzer - 2009 - Pole Vault
Leroy McQueen - 1999 - Long Jump
Kevin Schadt - 1991 - 1600 meters
Bob Rivard - 1965 - Javelin

Girls
Marilyn Senz - 1980 - Javelin
Marilyn Senz - 1978 - Javelin
Carol Miller - 1976 - Javelin
Sue Strait, Joanne Harriger, Patty Wickenheiser, & Mrilyn Opp - 1974 - 880 Yard Relay

That is 11 PIAA State Champions!  Notice 3 by Kyle Long & 2 by Marilyn Senz!

On the next blog entry I will tackle the one state champion I personally coached!

What Is Next On the Hempfield Track Blog!

OK.  Track season is over for the high school team & 2013 was another memorable year!!  What will this blog do this summer?  MORE TRACK & FIELD!!!

Here is a list of topics for the summer:

1 - Hempfield Hall of Fame
I will discuss current Hempfield Hall of Fame members that participated in track & field!  Here is the list of athletes that are in the Hall of Fame that participated in track & field!

Year Inducted - Name
2005 - Adam Burket
2005 - Tom Herr
2005 - Robert Rivard
2005 - Kevin Schadt
2005 - Marilyn Senz
2006 - Traci Shaub (Fisher)
2006 - Richard Horst
2006 - Carol Miller
2006 - Pam Neiss (Stuper)
2007 - Meryl Schmidt (Shoemaker)
2008 - Kirk Liddel
2008 - Doug Nauman
2009 - Troy Milhouse
2010 - Amy Stairs (Grube)
2010 - Jodi Heistand (Habecker)
2011 - Jeff Bradley
2011 - Jeff Fritz
2012 - Warren Taylor
2013 - Jerry Frey

2 - Current High School & College Athletes
What are they doing this summer?  What are their college plans?  And summer meets?

3 - Track & Field News
What is happening in the world of Track & Field?  Summer Events?

4 - Miscellaneous!
Anything Track & Field!!!

New Girls Track Brochure

The girls track & field team did not let the boys have all the fun!  ANOTHER GREAT YEAR!!

The girls success in the Lancaster-Lebanon League has been amazing!  This season was not different!  The only down side was losing Sarah Helgeson right before the league meet!

Here are some of the highlights:

Undefeated in Duel Meets - 6-0
Section 1 Champions
Black Knight Invitational - 2nd
Shippensburg Invitational - 3rd
Lancaster-Lebanon League Meet - 2nd (WITHOUT HELGESON!)

Individuals
Lancaster-Lebanon Champs
Dani Bland - 100 meters - 12.49
Dani Poletti - Pole Vault - 11'6" (2nd year in a row!)
4 x 800 Relay - 9:44.64 (Kelsey Nolan, Maris Kurcina, Bri Thomas, & Maria Yoder)

District Medals

4th - Dani Bland - 100 meters - 12.84
5th - Claire Davis - Triple Jump - 35'-9.75"
5th - Dani Poletti - Pole Vault - 11'0"
5th - 4 x 100 Relay - 49.57 (Abbet Friedman, Claire Davis, Sarak Klag, & Dani Bland)
6th - 4 x 800 Relay - 9:30.98 (Kelsey Nolan, Maris Kurcina, Bri Thomas, & Maria Yoder)

PIAA State Medal
7th - Dani Poletti - Pole Vault - 11'6"


Here are more details from the Track Brochure:

Great Season Ladies

"Tradition Doesn't Graduate!"

New Boys Track Brochure

Checkout the latest 2013 Track Brochure!!!

This was another great season!!