STATE COLLEGE, Pa. – A dominant showing at the Pennsylvania Track &. Field Coaches Association indoor championships at Penn State University on Sunday cemented the Lancaster-Lebanon League’s position as a powerhouse in Pennsylvania high school track, and field. Athletes from the L-L League swept the sprint events, showcasing a depth of talent that has quickly gained statewide recognition.
Leading the charge was Cedar Crest High School senior Kaddel Howard, who secured victories in both the 200-meter and 400-meter dashes. This marks the second consecutive season Howard has swept these events, and it adds to her impressive collection of four indoor state championships in the 400-meter race. Howard, a University of Florida recruit, didn’t just win – she dominated. Her time of 53.03 in the 400-meter dash was a meet record and bested the second-place finisher by a significant margin of 3.31 seconds. She also set a new meet record in the 200-meter dash, finishing in 23.51. Both times currently rank among the top seven nationally, according to results reported by LancasterOnline.
McCaskey High School also played a pivotal role in the L-L League’s success. Sophomore Ella Petrosky captured first place in the 60-meter dash with a personal best time of 7.54 seconds, which is currently the second-fastest time in the state this season. Petrosky’s performance helped propel McCaskey to a second-place finish in the girls’ team competition, scoring 32 points, just behind Penn Charter’s 40 points.
McCaskey’s Strong Team Performance
Beyond Petrosky’s individual victory, McCaskey showcased impressive depth across multiple events. Corrine Miller finished fourth in the 200-meter dash with a time of 24.87, whereas Carolynn Main placed sixth in the mile run at 4:57.45. Ruby Garner-Valle also contributed to the team’s score, finishing sixth in the 3,000-meter run with a time of 9:54.49. The Red Tornado’s success wasn’t limited to individual events; their 800-meter relay team, comprised of Petrosky, Miller, Alondra Grover, and Damani Crosson, secured first place with a state-best time of 1:41.01. Their 4,000-meter distance medley relay team of Main, Garner-Valle, Vivian Salerno, and Shiloh Tebie finished eighth at 12:18.23.
Other Standout Performances
Ephrata High School also had a strong showing at the championships. Senior Sophia Rivera finished fifth in the shot place with a throw of 43 feet, 4.75 inches. Rivera is a seasoned competitor, having swept the PIAA outdoor shot put and discus titles last season. On the boys’ side, Cedar Crest’s Travis Furmanski earned a silver medal in the 3,000-meter run, finishing in 8:23.46. Furmanski is coming off a successful fall cross country season, where he was crowned the PIAA Class 3A champion.
Ephrata continued to demonstrate its strength with several top-eight finishes. Aaron Young placed fourth in the long jump at 23 feet, 2.5 inches, while Ryder Newlin finished eighth in the 60-meter hurdles with a time of 8.25 seconds. Toby Barrett secured eighth place in the triple jump with a leap of 44 feet, 8.5 inches. Penn Manor’s Ethan Kloppmann and Cedar Crest’s Cam Tirado tied for fifth in the high jump, both clearing a height of 6 feet, 5 inches. Tirado also competes on the Cedar Crest basketball team this winter.
Hempfield High School’s Will Newport achieved a personal best in the pole vault, finishing seventh with a height of 14 feet. McCaskey’s 3,200-meter relay team, consisting of Leudy Diaz, Benjamin Gillespie, Thomas Ardia, and Tyran London, placed seventh with a time of 7:55.78. Haverford School won the boys’ team competition with 41 points.
Howard’s Continued Success and Future Potential
Kaddel Howard’s performance builds on a trajectory of success. According to reporting from LNP in April 2024, Howard won gold at the Pennsylvania Track & Field Coaches Association Indoor State Championship as a freshman with a time of 55.57 and as a sophomore with a time of 54.93. She ran a 53.50 in the 400 last season, coming close to the state record of 52.82, set by Talitha Diggs of Saucon Valley in 2019. Howard has expressed a goal of breaking that record this season.
The Lancaster-Lebanon League’s impressive performance at the state championships signals a bright future for track and field in the region. Athletes like Howard and Petrosky are setting a high standard, and the depth of talent within the league suggests continued success in the years to reach. The next major event for these athletes will be the outdoor track and field season, where they will have the opportunity to build on their indoor accomplishments and compete for PIAA state titles.
What do you think about the L-L League’s dominance in Pennsylvania track and field? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and be sure to share this article with fellow track and field enthusiasts.
