Field trips, the highlight of school days for many elementary students, can also be a highlight for high school students and not always in the academic sense.

The Emmaus girls track and field team recently took two road trips and they proved to be an educational and winning experience. The Hornets downed a solid Hazleton Cougar squad 79-71 and two days later beat Pottsville 113.5 to 36.5. On April 21, Emmaus downed Whitehall 128-22 at E.P.S.D. Stadium to go 5-0.

“In my six years coaching, we haven’t completed in a nonleague dual meet,” said Emmaus coach Kami Reinhard. “It was sort of like our first field trip in over a year since COVID, because we didn’t travel on a bus during cross country.”

The Hornets had several best times and marks over the Hazleton and Pottsville meets to set the team up well for Districts. Emmaus is a legitimate contender for a District 11 championship in part because of their depth.

Seniors Madison Brown (sprints), Ashleigh McNellis (mid-distance), Halle Jennett (sprints), Kera Reinhard, Ashley Ryan and Keerstin Augustin (distance) have performed well all season long and against the Cougars and Crimson Tide. Tayah Mehrtens (hurdles) and Olympia Curley-Katrishen (multi-events) has all committed to track and field in college and should be watched in the postseason. Distance runner Clara Kennedy and S.J Waterman in hurdles should also be in the mix of top athletes for the rest of the season.

Junior Molly Lineberger has had an outstanding season in which she has had career bests in shot put and discuss. She is set for a top 10 performance in the upcoming league and district meets.

“Molly’s strengths are that she is a team leader, coachable and driven to succeed,” said Reinhard. “She also has the potential to advance to the PIAA state meet in her high school career.”

Another talented distance runner is junior Isabella Lees. Last week she clocked an unofficial 12:03 in the 3200 at a Hornet inter-squad meet.

“Isabella is quiet, but fierce and unassuming,” said her coach. “We have no doubt she will be a top contender in the 3200 at leagues and districts.”

Junior Bethany Brown is another Hornet who has emerged this season and has great potential. Although she’s focused this year on the 300-meter hurdles, Brown has demonstrated strength in the 100-meter hurdles and could evolve into a 4-by-400 runner. Morgan Belisle has been a consistent performer in the pole vault and is working on the logistics of vaulting.

A few sophomores also distinguished themselves last week and are positioning themselves for District 11 competition. Sheldyne Pierre continues to improve almost weekly. Hailey Reinhard is currently seeded first in the 3200, third in the 1600 and fourth in the 800 in the district. Hailey Reinhard is a team player. When asked where she’d prefer to compete in EPC and District 11 action, she opted for relays.

“Hailey has raised the bar for our girls distance team,” said the coach. “The girls are all working hard to compete right beside her.”

Thrower Catherine Sirignano, continues to improve and that was evident in the team’s most three recent meets in both shot put and discus.

“We see Catherine advancing to the PIAA state meet in her high school career,” said Reinhard.

Three freshman who stood out in these recent meets were sprinters Gianna Buysse and Sammy Walkiewicz and distance runner Addison Kleinle.

The Hornets are scheduled April 28 to host Parkland, and conclude the regular season May 3 with a home date against Stroudsburg.