The Emmaus girls track and field team will send seven athletes to the PIAA Track and Field Championships on May 24 and 25 at Shippensburg University, thanks to their recent performances at the District 11 Track and Field Championships.

Throughout the entire 2019 campaign coach Kari Reinhard’s squad has shown two primary characteristics. First, an ability to adapt and improve and second, a positive, team-first attitude when faced with challenges.

Both characteristics were on display May 15 and 16 during District 11 Championships at Whitehall High School.

The 4x100 relay team of Halle Jennett, Alanna Smith, Mackenzie Dries and Kayla Smith registered an outstanding performance that punched their trip to the Ship. The girls registered a time of 49.71. Alternates Madison Brown and Heather Augustin will join them at states as alternates.

Lindsay Lumsden will join them on the trip west. The senior finished third in the triple jump (37-02), easily surpassing the state qualifying mark.

The Green Hornets also received strong performances from several other members of their team. Sophomore Keerstin Augustin discussed her showing the 800-meter dash.

“I was really determined in the beginning, so I think that caused me to go faster than what I’m used to the first lap,” said Augustin. “I was happy for that because that was the best first lap I’ve done. I was definitely determined at the end. I was giving it all I had.”

Her strategy was to start fast, stick with it, and then finish strong.

“I know that I really need to have a strong first lap,” she said. “Coach Bracetty split it up into the four 200s, so the first 200 I just want to get out. The second 200 I just want to keep the pace. The third 200 I try to just dig and push and that’s when it starts to hurt. The last 200 I kick and give it all I got.”

Other Green Hornets who showed well during the two-day tournament were Kera Reinhard, who took sixth in the in the 1600, Ashleigh McNellis, who finished eighth in the 400, and Smith who finished third in the 100 and fifth in the 200. The girls 4x400 squad also ran well, taking fourth.