As the spring track regular season comes to a close, leagues, districts, and states are quickly approaching. The 17th Annual Helman Invitational took place on Thursday, May 6th 2021, at Pennridge High School. There were seven teams that attended this event: Central Bucks East, Central Bucks South, Central Bucks West, Council Rock North, North Penn, Pennridge and Souderton. This was a big meet as both boy’s and girl’s teams for each school competed. There were multiple events that took place in this order – 300m hurdles, 4x800m relay, 100m dash, 1600m run, 4x100m relay, 400m dash, 100m hurdles, 800m run, 200m dash, 3200m run, 4x400m relay, and a tanker relay (throwers run a 4×100). The field events that took place were high jump, long jump, triple jump, pole vault, discus, javelin, and shot put. The Helman Invitational was a success for many of the athletes on the girl’s team. Notable wins include:

• 100 meter dash – 3rd place Arianna Kouakou – 12.98
• 400-meter dash – 2nd place Payton Mann – 1:00.20
• 800 meter run – 1st place Ava Pultorak – 2:17.05
• 800-meter run – 3rd place Taryn Shine – 2:20.67
• 1600 meter run – 1st place Nora Ritting – 5:20.89
• 1600 meter run – 2nd place Isabella Musgrove – 5:32.69
• 300-meter hurdles – 2nd place Victoria Angelo – 45.87
• 4×400 meter relay – 2nd place – 4:02.17
• High Jump – 1st place Emma Schlotter – 4-10.00
• Discus – 2nd place Sierra Kapusta – 93-10.00
• Javelin – 3rd place Nicole Rindone – 88-05.00

Lauren Knapp, the only pole vaulter on the girl’s team, said “Being with all my friends that I’ve met along the way and getting a chance to see what other people are doing and how I can learn. It’s my first district meet so I’m very excited to see the higher level of competition”. Lauren’s PR this season is 9’6 and is hoping to improve going into the district meet. This season was very different and unique due to COVID-19 restrictions. Emma Schlotter said, “Penn Relays have been canceled for the second year in a row, the winter season was limited (couldn’t go to Lehigh to compete), more of a preseason for spring, had to be very cautious of what you were doing”. Emma also said that she is looking forward to competing in districts. She states, “Coatesville is a good experience, the people there are fun, the competition is high and makes it more intense. Being with my teammates, competing with them, people push you to do your best”. Having that encouragement only makes competing more fun. 

The girl’s 2021 team record is 3-3 with most of their losses being in very close meets. The history of the team has many successes in all events. This season was none like no other as there were many season bests! 

• Emma Schlotter -100m Hurdles -14.98
  • Also a school record
• Olivia Lowery -100m dash -12.42
• Ashley Gordon -1600m – 5:05.02
• Arianna Kouakou – 200m dash -26.49
• Victoria Angelo – 300m Hurdles – 46.92
• Ashley Gordon – 32000m – 11:10.52
• Ava Pultorak – 400m – 59.57
• Ava Pultorak – 800m – 2:20.35
• Sierra Kapusta – Discus – 87-3
• Emma Schlotter – High Jump – 5-1
• Nicole Rindone-Javelin – 82-8
• Kylie Destefano – Long Jump – 15-3
• Lauren Knapp – Pole Vault – 8-6
• Sierra Kapusta – Shot Put – 31-2
• Hayley Gurysh – Triple Jump – 32-11.25

Here is the list of athletes and events that have qualified for districts:

• Tori Angelo – 300m Hurdles
• Payton Mann- 300m Hurdles and 400m
• Ava Pultorak- 400m and 800m  
• Emma Schlotter – 100m Hurdles & High Jump
• Arianna Kouakou- 100m and 200m
• Taryn Shine – 800m
• Ashley Gordon- 1600m and 3200m 
• 4x100m team
• 4x400m team
• 4x800m team
• Lauren Knapp – Pole Vault

There are many dates to continue to look out for as the SOL National Conference Championship is May 14th and May 15th at Central Bucks East High School. As well as PIAA District 1 AAA Championships on May 21st. Good luck ladies, finish out the season strong!