Penn Hills track and field focuses on end-of-season success

By: HSSN Staff
Saturday, March 31, 2018 | 12:54 AM

The Penn Hills track and field program has a pair of athletes from last year's team who have their sights on returning to Shippensburg at the end of May.

The Indians will be led by senior Emmanuel Mitchell and junior Lillia Allen, who are looking to improve on their finishes at the PIAA meet last season.

Mitchell finished in a four-way tie for third in the high jump (6 feet, 4 inches) after winning the high jump title at WPIALs by clearing 6-6.

Allen, who threw a personal best in the shot put (43-1) at WPIALs to place second, finished 11th at the PIAA meet with a toss of 38-10.75.

In the discus, Allen threw her personal best after throwing 137-11 and finishing in fourth-place.

“Our goal is always to focus on the end of May with the WPIAL championship and state championship. We try to get to focus everything on it,” coach Lee Zelkowitz said.

“We get all our training in the proper way, and it's fun to watch these kids progress and watch them do things they didn't think they were possible of doing.”

The Indians will look to make up for the loss of Isaiah Bailey, Brennon Hill and Cole Bishop to graduation. Bailey, who finished second in the 800-meter in 1 minute, 54.05 seconds at WPIALs, finished 10th in 1:55.21 at states.

Zelkowitz will lean on two Central Catholic transfers — Alex and Wes Trower — to replace the graduates.

Alex Trower will run the 100-meter and 200-meter dashes and will be part of the 400 and 1,600 relay teams. Wes Trower will be used in the 800, as well as the 1,600 relay.

Senior Jaden Rouse will accompany Mitchell in the field. Last season, Rouse finished sixth (43-9.25) in the triple jump at the WPIAL Class AAA championship. Rouse also competes in the long jump.

Zelkowitz is looking for strong contributions from seniors Lamerie Green and Micah Silverman, as well as junior Daequan Hardy and freshman Josiah-McCoy-Morah on the track.

The girls team has a new look this season with coach Brandon Ifill, a 2010 Penn Hills graduate.

Ifill is hoping to instill three important aspects to develop the girls team properly — discipline, hard work and consistency.

“The only thing that is stopping our program from being successful would be our consistency. The girls are coming to train every day and giving their best every day and really doing their best when they step out on the track,” Ifill said.

“Once we get that, it will start to trickle down in all areas of their life through school and relationships at home.”

On the track, the girls team will be led by senior Rebecca Miller and juniors Caroline Webb and Kaley Lester, who all will run the 800 and will be part of the 1,600 relay team.

Ifill pointed out sophomores Eliza Brennan (200, 400) and Kiera Ward (hurdles), as well as freshman Skye Brown (400, 1,600 relay) as underclassmen to keep an eye on throughout the season.

“It's a lot of their first time ever running,” he said. “Once they get their feet wet and they get to understand how to go out there and compete, it's going to be very good to watch.”

Andrew John is a freelance writer.

Tags: Penn Hills