PIAA Track and Field Championships: Black, Conemaugh Township give efforts to remember

SHIPPENSBURG ― When Ethan Black reflected on what he’d taken away from Conemaugh Township High School’s Anthony Dean-Neil this season, he didn’t stop at the lessons gained on the track.

The Indians’ junior star mentioned that the first-year head coach taught him how to “enjoy” life, while also continuing to chase his goals.

From their first conversation, Black and Dean-Neil had an instant connection. It’s one that’s been rewarding this season for both the athlete and coach. And it’s one that paid off on Saturday, when Black finished first in the Class 2A 100-meter and 200-meter dashes at the PIAA Track and Field Championships. The two PIAA gold medals marked the first two in Conemaugh Township history.

“It’s pretty great, just representing my school,” Black said, “being a part of my school history forever.”

Black finished the 100-meter dash with a time of 10.78 and the 200-meter dash with a time of 21.45. The marks brought to fruition the potential that Black saw in himself at the end of last season — the same promise that was evident to Dean-Neil soon after the pair’s initial meeting.

In his first season at the helm of a program that hadn’t achieved state-wide excellence prior to his arrival, Dean-Neil said his job was certainly made easier by being able to work with a talent like Black.

“It can only get better from here on out,” Dean-Neil said of his own future with the program.

And, of course, as Black heads into his final high school season, he’s a key part of that picture.

“Just having that talent and seeing what he can do (is special),” Dean-Neil said. “He’s only a junior, so there’s a lot of upside (there).”

UNEXPECTED SILVER

The Conemaugh Township girls' 4x100 relay team wasn't sure what to expect as it went into its biggest race of the season. The quartet of Asia Zwick, Izzy Slezak, Ellie Speigle, and Mary Hostetter knew they had talent and, perhaps more importantly, the will to win, but would that be enough to thrive in the highly competitive Class 2A field of the PIAA championships? As it turns out, it was indeed.

They finished in silver medal position with a time of 50.31.

"We just put everything out there on the track," Hostetter said. "We came in seeded dead last in that final and had the worst spot on the track, but we used it to our advantage and just ran our hearts out."

The effort capped off arguably the best season in program history for the Indians, who went a perfect 11-0 as a team this spring. Dean-Neil says seeing athletes from his district, along with the two others that are paired with his program come together as one to succeed made things extra special.

"We've got a tremendous team here," Dean-Neil said. "We're excited about what this group was able to accomplish as a united front. It makes me proud."

INDIVDUAL SHINE

That silver medal wasn't the only piece of hardware Hostetter took home. The Indians' senior also reached the podium in the Class 2A 100-meter dash, taking eighth place.

"Mary is one of the athletes that came in here through a co-op," Dean-Neil said. "And her development has been tremendous — both as a performer and a leader. Knowing what she did in pervious years, and then seeing her accomplish what she hoped to this year was something special."

Hostetter's time in the 100 dash was 13.02.

A STRONG ENDING

A pair of area seniors also ended their high school athletic careers on a high note at this weekend's championships.

In Class 3A, it was Somerset's Hailey Rios, who earned medals in the 100-meter and 200-meter dashes in Class 3A. After having what she deemed as a poor performance in the 2021 finals, Rios earned redemption, finishing eighth (12.37) and fourth (24.76) in the respective events. The 200 dash time was a personal best for Rios.

Rios was also a member of the 400 relay team with Sydney Rush, Kamryn Ross and Abigail Urban. The Golden Eagles placed sixth in the event with a time of 49.49 to podium.

With her sights now set on the next level, the Golden Eagles standout says she'll be able to look back at her final high school track meet with pride.

"I'm happy with what I did," Rios said. "Coming here, reaching the finals, earning a pair of medals, all of it is special. It's a big thing, regardless of the overall place."

Meanwhile in Class 2A, Windber senior Giovani Flori earned the area's lone medal in any of the throwing events, placing fifth in the shot put with a throw of 51-7.25. While most athletes who take home a medal at the state finals have spent a good bit of time perfecting their craft, Flori is relatively new to the sport, starting his throwing career as a sophomore but not getting a full season of action until the following spring due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Flori said his first and final trip to Seth Grove Stadium was a special one.

"It's awesome to be here," he said. "Just seeing all the different kids from all over the state come in and compete is fun. I'm proud of what I was able to do."

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This article originally appeared on The Daily American: PIAA Track Notebook: Black, Conemaugh Township give efforts to remember