NTL TRACK & FIELD: HORNETS HAVE SUCCESSFUL SHOWING AT STATES, INCLUDING PAIR OF MEDALS FOR FRESHMAN HOPRICH (2024-05-25)
BY CHRIS MANNINGNorthern Tier Sports ReportSHIPPENSBURG — Wellsboro’s Piper Hoprich couldn’t have dreamed up a better second day at the PIAA Track and Field Championships Saturday. The freshman took home bronze in the 200, and finished fourth in the 100 to end the season with two state medals.
“It feels really good,” Hoprich said about her 100 race. “I was seeded 13th, so making it to the finals, and then placing well in the finals is really good.”
As for the 200, that was the biggest surprise of the season.
“It’s crazy, I was seeded sixth, so it feels so good,” remarked Hoprich.
She ran 12.23 in the 100, just .03 away from finishing in the top three. It was a patented Hoprich race, slower out of the blocks but a strong last 50.
“I like to push at the end, I like to catch up,” she said.
The hardest part may have been the waiting.
“The waiting is even scarier than the running,” Hoprich said. “Waiting up to the gun is so scary.”
As for next season she’s going to work on her starts to get out of those blocks faster, along with setting a high bar.
“Next year by goal is going to be low 12’s, if 11 (seconds),” she said.
Hoprich ran 25.57 in the 200, coming out of lane seven.
“I love being in the outside lane,” she said. “That’s my favorite, especially seventh. I like seventh.”
Hoprich credits her off season power lifting competition as for stamina.
“The strength definitely provides me endurance, it helps me finish that race really well,” said Hoprich.
Wellsboro had two other competitors at states on the second day. Lauren Kosek finished 14th in the 3200 in 11:25.81. She was as high as 13th during the second mile.
Annika Gehman had a strong day in the triple jump, taking 14th in 35-feet, 8 1/2-inches, hitting that mark on her final jump of the day.
PHOTOS: CHRIS MANNING
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