The Southmoreland girls track team made history by not only bringing home the first place title at the WCCA track meet, but also saw sophomore Mikayla Rhodes become county champion in the discus.
The girls track team clutched the first place title for section double-A with a total of 36 points. The boys scored nine points in the meet.
Rhodes took first place at Memorial Stadium in Latrobe this past Saturday in discus with her personal best. A distance of 107 ft. 2 in. This win alone scored 10 points for Southmoreland, a “huge” contributing factor to help clutch the win.
“I felt like I was going to cry when I broke my personal record,” said Rhodes. “Then I immediately felt proud to say that I could look around at every other girl and know I must have worked really hard to become a county champion.”
“I believe Mikayla has a chance at qualifying this year as well as getting on the medal stand at states this year,” said head coach Dave Keefer.
“Strong finishes” from the girls distance team significantly helped as well. Sophomore Kaylee Farino had two personal records this weekend. Farino placed second in the 1600 meter run with a time of 5:27.48, and she placed fourth in the 3200 meter run with a time of 11:58.34, her first time ever finishing the race in under 12 minutes.
Kaylee Farino’s older sister, junior, Vayda Farino, placed third in the 400 meter dash and the 800 meter run. In the 400, Vayda Farino finished with a time of 1:01.72 less than a second from breaking the school record, currently held by 2014 graduate Hannah Porter. In the 800, Vayda Farino finished with a time of 2:25.66.
The sisters combined brought in 24 points for the girls’ team.
“It was no surprise to me that they (the Farino sisters) brought in as many points as they did,” said Keefer. “They are the hardest working athletes we have on the team, day in and day out. You never hear any excuses from them.”
Meanwhile in the field events, for the boys, junior pole vaulter Brenden Hernley tied for second place with a height of 13feet even.
Sophomore Kait Walch contributed to the team by placing sixth in the long jump with a distance of 15 ft. 1 in. Walch was also a part of the 1600 meter relay team with junior Julea Claycomb and freshmen Brooke Corley and Madison Cowan. This team finished sixth with a time of 54.19 seconds.
Keefer said, “I am truly proud of all of the girls and their efforts on Saturday. Not only is it great, but it feels great to coach a team that came out on top overall.”