RECAP >> The District XI Class 3A Track and Field Championships wrapped up earlier this week at the Zephyr Sports Complex at Whitehall High School and for Emmaus head coach Kami Reinhard’s girls and boys squads, it was a record-setting performance.
A total of 16 athletes who will be competing in 11 events have punched their ticket to next weekend’s PIAA State Championships that will be held at Shippensburg University.
Headlining the large contingent of Hornets that will be headed to ‘The Ship’ will be Reinhard’s daughter, senior Hailey, who earned the triple crown by taking first place in three races — 800, 1600 and 3200m.
“It was a feat she didn’t expect or even think about,” said Reinhard, the Hornets eighth-year coach. “Her goal was to run her own race, just like she had all season and advance in two events based on time. The most impressive race was the final event for her, the 800m, as there were blustery wind gusts, so we knew automatic state times were going to be challenging to reach. She had to be a bit smarter in executing a race plan to be able to finish hard with the wind at her back. It’s even more exciting for her having her teammate, Madelyn McCartney, heading to states as s freshman.”
McCartney finished second behind Reinhard in the 3200m with a time of 11:20.26.
Joining both Reinhard and McCartney on the girls’ side will be senior Anna Farnschlader who finished runner-up in the discus event with a throw of 107-08.
Leading the way for the boys team was junior Kyle Moore, who finished first in the long jump, second in the triple jump and was also a part of the Hornets runner-up 4x100m relay team along with teammates Donovan McCargo, Blaise Verrastro and Dylan Darville,
“Kyle had a fantastic meet advancing to states in three events,” said Reinhard. “His long jump record of 24-10.25 broke the previous meet record held by former Nazareth standout and current Washington Commanders wide receiver Jahan Dotson. Kyle is the anchor on the 4x100m relay and had done a fantastic job managing all of his events.”
Emmaus’ 4x400m relay team of Verrastro and teammates junior Tyler Finck, senior Brett Pevec and sophomore Jared Petre also qualified for states after capturing first place with a time of 3:25.13, just ahead of rival Parkland (3:26.81).
“Both relays were incredibly exciting races battling it out between Emmaus and Parkland,” said Reinhard. “The 4x100m relay was head-to-head coming down the home stretch and Parkland edged us.
“But things were different in the 4×400 as the boys did exactly what we have been coaching them to do, getting the baton to Blaise in second place. Blaise clocked at 48.0 split in the last leg to make the pass a the 300m mark for a clear win. We’ve been waiting for this moment for eight years since I’ve been coaching as the 4×400 relay is one of the most challenging races being at the end of the district meet when the athletes are exhausted. I am so proud of the guys in both of thee relays, really putting it together for their team.”
Verrastro will also be competing in a third event at states – the 200m dash after his runner-up finish in a time of 22.11.
In the field events, two Hornets will be making their first-ever appearances at states as both sophomore Tyler Grabinski and junior Haven Tarbox finished runner-up in the pole vault and javelin, respectively.
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A full listing of the Emmaus athletes that will be headed to the PIAA State Championships:
Triple Jump – Kyle Moore (2nd place Districts)
Long Jump – Kyle Moore (1st place Districts)
Javelin – Haven Tarbox (2nd place Districts)
Discus – Anna Farnschlader (2nd place Districts)
Pole Vault – Tyler Grabinski (2nd place Districts)
200m – Blaise Verrastro (2nd place Districts)
800m – Hailey Reinhard (1st place)
1600m – Hailey Reinhard (1st place)
3200m – Hailey Reinhard (1st place), Madelyn McCartney (2nd)
4 x 100m relay – Donavan McCargo, Blaise Verrastro, Dylan Darville, Kyle Moore (alternates Tylik Jarvis, Damar Gilzeane)
4 x 400m relay – Tyler Finck, Brett Pevec, Jared Petre, Blaise Verrastro (alternates Miles Cook, Lane Bassett)
PHOTO GALLERY (Courtesy of Emmaus Track and Field)
Hailey Reinhard and Madelyn McCartney
Kyle Moore
Dylan Darville, Donovan McCargo, Blaise Verrastro and Kyle Moore