Hoprich Medals Twice At PIAA Championships

By: Ed Weaver  /  May 28, 2024  /  Photo: Chris Manning

Freshman Piper Hoprich brought home two medals at last weekend's PIAA Track & Field Championships at Shippensburg University.

Hoprich finished 4th overall in the 100m in 12.23. She finished 5th in her preliminary round, running a new school record time of 12.21 to make the finals. She also finished 3rd in the 200m in 25.57. Her prelim time of 25.43 is also a new school record.

Hoprich set the 100m record earlier this year, then broke it again, along with setting the 200m record, at the District IV Championships from May 16-18.

Three other Hornets also had great performances at the State Championships.

Junior Annie Gehman finished 14th in the triple jump, hitting 35-ft, 8.5-inches. Freshman Lauren Kosek ran 11:25.81 in the 3200m for a 14th place finish and senior Noah Morey threw 122-ft, 3 to finish 18th in the discus.

"Noah worked extremely hard since last track season to improve his skill level," boys head coach Brigette Largey said. "Long before I was hired, I would see him at the track with Coach Butters and some others in the off season. This commitment and work ethic showed through the season and that was what took Noah to the elite state level."

Girls head coach Elizabeth Hoover added, "It is difficult to put this year into words. Coming into this season, I wasn't sure what to expect from the athletes, or even from myself. But watching these athletes push themselves to be better, encouraged me to also see this season through. I watched as these athletes got personal record after personal record. We had more district qualifiers this year than we have had in a long time, and we had state qualifiers in every area of the track - throws, jumps, sprints, and distance. At the state meet, these kids competed with all their heart and did amazing things. I think my most favorite thing at states was the athletes and the parents who showed up at other Wellsboro athlete's events and cheered them on. The Wellsboro parents, coaches, and athletes seemed to be the loudest in the stands. But they didn't just cheer on Wellsboro athletes. They cheered on athletes they recognized from our neighboring schools as well. I know our kids were excited to compete with the best athletes in the state, but to me, our kids were the best all-around athletes this state has to offer! I am so proud of what I witnessed from our athletes all season, and watching them continue this level of athleticism and sportsmanship at the elite state level made it all worth it. Congratulations to all of the members of the Wellsboro Hornet Track and Field team."