The Emmaus girls track and field team started the 2023 season with victories over Freedom and Hazleton.

The Hornets opened the campaign last Wednesday with a 131-19 win over Freedom and 103-47 victory over Hazleton two days later.

Coach Kami Reinhard’s team received solid performances in the win over Freedom. Emma Paradise earned the win in the 400-meter dash while teammate and distance runner Hailey Reinhard took the 800- and 1,600-meter runs. Madelyn McCartney had a good 3,200 race with an 11:28 time.

Emmaus dominated the hurdles with Isabelle Russo and Hadlee Horvath won the 100-meter and 300-meter hurdles.

The Hornet relay teams were superlative also. The 4x400 team comprised of Kyla Moore, Addison Johnson, Payton Campbell and Hannah Zellner took top honors, while Isabella Scarlata, Mackenzie, Monfredi, Olivia Fleck and Addison Kleinle won the 4x800 relay.

The talented Sheldyne Pierre won the high jump competition, while Malena Stetz claimed the pole vault. Catherine Sirignano was tops in the discus throw.

In the battle with the Pates, Paradise won the 200. Hailey Reinhard took the 400 and Johnson was the best 800-meter runner. McCartney won the 1,600. Reinhard also won the 3,200.

In relay competition, the 4x100 team of Morgan Tandy, Elizabeth Burns, Danica Balik and Anna Price took first. In jumping, Morgan Fletes claimed the long jump.

A few of Reinhard’s coaches attended recently a seminar entitled “The Mind of the Athlete” presented by sports psychologist Jarrod Spencer. Although Emmaus coaches have discussed topics such as sleep, diet and consistent training with their athletes for years, the seminar proved beneficial.

“We were able to give more powerful information of all the gains they (athletes) can get from a solid eight hours of sleep,” Reinhard said.