Belz To Stay Local, Run Track For Mansfield

By: Ed Weaver  /  April 16, 2026  /  Photo: Ed Weaver

Senior Kristina Belz signed her National Letter of Intent on April 1 to continue her track & field career and major in psychology next year at Mansfield University.

Belz will concentrate mainly on the long and triple jumps, but will also high jump and potentially run hurdles.

"Its a small community, very similar to Wellsboro and the team and staff we all very nice," Belz said on drew her to become a Mountie. "I did a tour, met with about half the team at one of their practices before I went to a swim practice. "Them having my major was very important but I also liked the fact that I already knew the community and can go and shadow at schools I'm already familiar with."

Belz was also considering Lock Haven and Susquehanna before ultimately deciding on Mansfield.

Currently this season Belz is third on the team in the long jump (15-ft, 1.5), third in the triple jump (30-ft, 11.5) and tied for 2nd in the high jump (4-ft, 6). Belz is looking to make an immediate splash on the team. According to the Lady Mounties current stat leader board, she is a foot away from cracking their top-10 list in the long jump and two feet in the triple jump. Belz also has the same PR in the high jump as Mansfield's current female high jumper.

Belz also noted the team's personality and chemistry as a major factor.

"Coach Nick Mattis' has an awesome personality. He told me that if I couldn't joke then I couldn't be a part of the team, because they're a big joking team. They are very welcoming, down to earth and laid back, but at the same time very competitive."

"The Wellsboro program has shaped me into a better person and discipline and hard work," said Belz on how the program has prepared her for the next level. "Coach Gehman has helped me through injuries and returning to action and Coach Hoover has helped me when I was confused or not knowing what events I wanted to do. Annie (Gehman) was the person I looked up to for three years and taught me to high after I said I'd never do that event, and Lauren (Ren) (Gehman) has shown me commitment and compassion through everything she's gone through, and she's just an amazing person to be around."

Girls head coach Elizabeth Hoover noted Belz's work ethic that got her on Mansfield's radar.

"When Kristina joined track and field as a freshman, I knew I had a passionate, competitive athlete," Hoover said. "Kristina is one of those athletes that stays long after practice is over. We have to make her leave. My favorite memory of Kristina would have to be the Coudersport Invitational last year. The meet got delayed twice because of thunderstorms. The triple jump was still going at 10:00 p.m. Kristina wanted to get her jumps in, so we sent the bus home with the rest of the team and I stayed back with her. She was frozen, soaked, and could barely run down the runway, but she took her jumps. They were her worst jumps ever, but she completed all three. She came off the runway, straight toward me, and said, 'Yeah, I'm done.' I nodded, smiled, and thought, this girl never quits! That's Kristina."

Assistant coach Kate Gehman also added, "The growth and success Kristina has had over the last four years has a lot to do with her perseverance and grit. She set goals for herself and worked hard to achieve them! She is resilient and determined, which are great qualities in an athlete, as well as encouraging and supportive, which are great qualities in a teammate. We will miss her big smile and whimsical personality! Mansfield University's track team will be enriched with the addition of Kristina! I am excited to see her progress and achievements at the college level."