Last season couldn’t have been scripted any better for Smithsburg’s girls track and field squad.
With top-shelf talent all over the lineup, including six MPSSAA state medalists, the Leopards had a season for the ages with team championships at the county, region, and state levels. It wasn’t a pinch that put an end to Smithsburg’s dream campaign, but rather graduation.
The Leopards will have a much different look in 2026 after saying goodbye to nearly all of their postseason medalists from a year ago. And while no area team was hit harder by graduation than Smithsburg, almost every squad in the Local.News1 coverage area can relate to the Leopards.
North Hagerstown no longer has the services of superstar distance runners Rian Johnson and Lauren Stine, while South Hagerstown will cope with the losses of three region medalists. Greencastle-Antrim should have a competitive dual squad this year, but the Blue Devils will have to get the jobe done without any returning postseason medal winners. Waynesboro brings back just one athlete who earned a medal at the conference level.
The only team that seemed to avoid the graduation bug was Chambersburg, a squad that brings back plenty of standouts in the sprints, jumps, throws, and distance events.
We’ll take a closer look at all seven of the teams in the Local.News1 coverage area — Smithsburg, North Hagerstown, South Hagerstown, Fairfield, Waynesboro, Chambersburg, and Greencastle-Antrim — in today’s girls track and field previews. In the days to come we will unveil our final spring previews for boys track and field.
Below is a team-by-team preview for each of our area’s girls track and field squads:
Waynesboro Maidens
Coach: Jim Rickett
Division: Mid-Penn Colonial Division
Last season: The Tribe posted a dual record of 4-2.
Top projected returners: Alie Briegel (Sr., Sprints/Mid-Distance), Natalia Anderson (Jr., Sprints), Ella Swart (Sr., Mid-Distance), Maddie Ruefle (Sr., Distance), Katie Behnke (Jr., Distance), Lainey Peyton (Sr., Sprints), Morgan Price (Sr., Mid-Distance/Distance), Braelyn Thompson (Jr., Mid-Distance/Distance), Caroline Bercaw (Jr., Sprints), Breanna McIlquham (Sr., Hurdles), Kyla Sena (Jr., Hurdles), Maycie Bitner (So., Hurdles), Katie Baker (Sr., Throws), Kat Dennis (Sr., Throws), Ellie Cieri (Sr., Throws), Lily McDannell (So., Jumps), Emma Hotchkiss (So., Pole Vault), Olyvya Morgan (So., Pole Vault), Shay Trumpower (Jr., Jumps), Kaylee Rinebolt (Jr., Jumps), Braelyn Pearson-Moore (Jr., Jumps).
Meet the Maidens: Waynesboro will be aiming to continue its dual success of the past four seasons, a span which has seen the Maidens go 19-5 … The team will pursue its goals without the graduated Jaeda Dockman, last year’s District 3-3A champion in the high jump (5-5), and Camryn Bonner, the Mid-Penn’s sixth-place finisher in the pole vault (10-0), as well as two key throwers in Addison Shaull and Ella Dingzon … Waynesboro’s top returning athlete is Breanna McIlquham, a senior who earned dual Mid-Penn medals in the 100 hurdles (6th in 15.99) and 300 hurdles (7th in 47.99) … McIlquham will guide a group of returning hurdlers that include Kyla Sena and Maycie Bitner … Alie Briegel is expected to lead the Maidens in the sprints after a 2025 season that saw her post the team’s top times in the 100 (12.74), 200 (26.63), and 400 (1:03.42) … Look for Waynesboro to also get points in the sprints from Natalia Anderson and Caroline Bercaw … The Maidens should be set in the distance events with the projected return of senior trio Ella Swart, Maddie Ruefle, and Morgan Price, Waynesboro’s top performers in 800, 1,600, and 3,200 … In the throws, Katie Baker is the Maidens top returner in both the shot put and discus, while Kat Dennis and Ellie Cieri bring back experience in the javelin … Waynesboro brings back all three of its top jumpers — Shay Trumpower (long jump), Kaylee Rinebolt (triple jump), and Lily McDannell (high jump) — and also its top pole vaulters in Emma Hotchkiss and Olyvya Morgan … If the Maidens can get some improvement from this large group of returners, there’s no reason to believe they can’t improve upon their 2025 postseason finishes at the Mid-Penn Conference Championships (22nd place) and District 3-3A Championships (20th).
Opener: Tuesday, March 24, at Boiling Springs
Greencastle-Antrim Blue Devils
Coach: Rich Secrest
Division: Mid-Penn Colonial Division
Last season: Greencastle-Antrim went 3-3.
Top projected returners: Bailey Hurley (Sr., Throws), Lilah Overcash (Jr., Sprints), Abby Szumetz (Jr., Sprints), Anna Sullivan (Sr., Sprints), Rowan Shubert (Jr., Distance), Avery Hinkle (Sr., Mid-Distance), Sophia Denlinger (Jr., Distance), Emily Forrester (Sr., Distance), Kadence Abbott (Sr., Hurdles), Aqueelah Houge (Sr., Hurdles/Sprints), Acacia Long (Sr., Throws), Alannah Coleman (Jr., Throws), Rachel Murray (Sr., Jumps), Natalie Medina (Jr., Sprints), Melanie Sharp (So., Sprints), Gabriella Burns (Jr., Mid-Distance), Lily Black (So., Distance), Gwen Furnish (Sr., Throws), Madison McDonald (Jr., Throws), Tiegan Thompson (So., High Jump), Alyssa Fowler (So., Pole Vault), Emily Fowler (Sr., Pole Vault), Destiny Gladhill (Jr., Long Jump), Sahana Bharath (Sr., Jumps).
Meet the Blue Devils: Greencastle-Antrim graduated its only postseason medalist, but the team returns plenty of talent that should keep it competitive in the dual season … Lost to graduation is Jaylynn Schmuck, a District 3-3A sixth-place finisher in the triple jump and a double Mid-Penn Conference medalist in the triple jump (3rd) and long jump (4th) … Look for two seniors, Bailey Hurley and Aqueelah Houge, to lead the way by example this spring … Hurley is the Blue Devils’ top returner in the shot put (27-10) and discus (121-5), while Houge is back after leading Greencastle in the 100 (13.33) and 100 hurdles (16.84), and ranking No. 2 in the 300 hurdles (53.23) … Hurley will set the tone for an experienced throwing group that includes Acacia Long, Gwen Furnish, Madison McDonald, and Alannah Coleman, the Blue Devils’ top returner in the javelin (81-10) … Houge won’t be the only standout in the sprints, as Greencastle is also projected to return Abby Szumetz, Natalie Medina, and Melanie Sharp, as well as sophomore Emma Marx, the team’s top returner in the 200 (27.86), and senior Anna Sullivan, who is back after leading her team in the 400 (1:04.49) … Kadence Abbott is the Blue Devils’ top returner in the 300 hurdles (48.90), while Ada Oberholzer is another hurdler expected to return … Alyssa Fowler and Emily Fowler will be aiming high in the pole vault, while jumpers Tiegan Thompson, Destiny Gladhill, and Sahana Bharath will be looking to move up the ladder in their respective events … Gabriella Burns and Ava Linka are Greencastle’s top returner in the 800, while the distance events should be covered with the projected return of Rowan Shubert, Sophia Denlinger, and Lily Black … If the Blue Devils can make gains with this group of girls, they can improve upon last year’s postseason finishes at the Mid-Penn Conference Championships (18th place) and District 3-3A Championships (41st).
Opener: Tuesday, March 24, at home vs. Gettysburg
Chambersburg Trojans
Coach: Chris Monheim
Division: Mid-Penn Commonwealth Division
Last season: The Trojans posted a 5-3 record.
Top projected returners: Maggie Holtry (Jr., Sprints/Mid-Distance), Olivia Coy (Sr., Sprints/Mid-Distance/Jumps), Jaxin Frazer (Sr., Jumps/Sprints), Natalie Quinn (Jr., Distance), Marlee Jackson (Sr., Hurdles), Niamah Collins (Jr., Sprints), Mikaela Sistrunk (Jr., Sprints/Jumps), Ellianna Rife (Sr., Mid-Distance), Emma Kolb (Sr., Hurdles), Hannah Forrester (Sr., Hurdles), Serafina Richards (Jr., Throws), Addison Zimmerman (Sr., Jumps), Sienna Scott (Sr., Jumps), Adrianna Bonnick (So., Sprints), Addyson Brubaker (So., Sprints), Tanisha Guerrier (Jr., Sprints), Kaylie Savage (So., Mid-Distance/Distance), Brook Boone (Jr., Distance), Elliot Coy (Jr., Hurdles), Trinity Martinez (Jr., Hurdles), Mikaila Collins (Jr., Throws), Amarah Whitehead (Jr., Throws), Gabriella McGee (Sr., Throws), Mary Portmann (Sr., Jumps), Ada Velazquez (Sr., Pole Vault), Kaylin Bibro (Jr., Pole Vault), Madelyn Kuhns (Sr., Distance)
Meet the Trojans: With three returning postseason medalists — Natalie Quinn, Sienna Scott, and Serafina Richards — leading the way, Chambersburg should once again be a tough out in the Commonwealth Division … Quinn, a junior distance ace, finished fifth in the 3,200 (11:33.69) at the Mid-Penn Conference Championships, a meet that also saw fifth-place finishes from Scott (high jump, 5-0) and Richards (discus, 113-3) … Quinn will guide a formidable group of Chambersburg distance runners that include Ellianna Rife, Kaylie Savage, Brook Boone, and Madelyn Koons, the Trojans’ top projected returner in the 1,600 (5:30.92) … Scott leads a sharp high-jumping crew that includes Mikaela Sistrunk (4-11) and Mary Portmann (4-10) … Elsewhere in the jumps, seniors Jaxin Frazer, Olivia Coy and Addison Zimmerman are Chambersburg’s top returners in the long and triple jumps … Richards will be backed in the throws by Amarah Whitehead, Gabrielle McGee, and Mikaila Collins, the Trojans’ top returner in the shot put (25-7) …. Chambersburg is expected to return its top sprinters in the 100 (Frazer) and 200 (Addyson Brubaker), as well as more speedsters in Adrianna Bonnick, Tanisha Guerrier, and Maggie Holtry … Marlee Jackson will be looking to have a big senior year after leading the Trojans in both the 100 hurdles (16.89) and 300 hurdles (48.35), with depth in those events being provided by Elliot Coy and Trinity Martinez … Chambersburg loses two key athletes in Alaina Morris, the District 3-3A seventh-place finisher in the pole vault, and Cameron Bender, a sixth-place Mid-Penn Conference finisher in the javelin … Ada Velazquez, a senior, will try to fill the void left by Morris in the pole vault … The Trojans made an interesting add to their roster, Bree Paetow, a James Madison softball recruit who has chosen to run track this spring … Chambersburg will be aiming to improve upon its finishes at the Mid-Penn Conference Championships (7th place) and District 3-3A Championships (48th).
Opener: Tuesday, March 24, at Mifflin County
Fairfield Knights
Coach: Scott Motter
Division: YAIAA III
Last season: Fairfield posted an 0-6 record.
Top projected returners: Lillian Strahler (So., Sprints), Payton Stambaugh (Sr., Sprints/Throws), Ella Gastley (So., Hurdles), Miah Montgomery (Sr., Throws)
Meet the Knights: With light roster numbers, dual wins could be hard to come by for Fairfield, a squad coming off back-to-back winless seasons in YAIAA competition … The Knights graduated their only postseason medalist, Hannah Myers, who took third in the javelin at the YAIAA Championships last spring … Lillian Strahler racked up some valuable experience as a freshman last season, and she is Fairfield’s top returner in the 100 (15.43), 200 (31.43), and 400 (1:13.20) … Senior Payton Stambaugh also looks to make an impact in the sprints, and is the team’s top returner in the javelin (79-5) … Ella Gastley, a District 3-2A qualifier in the 100 hurdles, is projected to return for her sophomore season … Two winter sports athletes, Olivia Sanders (basketball) and Riley Stoner (wrestling), have been recruited to the track squad.
Opener: Tuesday, March 24, at home vs. York Tech
North Hagerstown Hubs
Coach: Lacie Johnson
Division: Washington County Public Schools
Top projected returners: Anna Chamberlin (Sr., Jumps), Reggan Chapin (Jr., Pole vault), Annabelle Schaberl (Sr., Sprints/Jumps), Kameryn Burrill (Sr., Throws), Laila Faire Williams (Sr., Jumps)., Dayanah Brunson (So., hurdles), Meilyn Twyman (Jr., Sprints), Binta Macalou (So., Hurdles), Gia Gerring (So., Sprints/Jumps)
Meet the Hubs: North Hagerstown will compete this spring without the services of the graduated Rian Johnson and Lauren Stine, the biggest 1-2 punch in MPSSAA distance running … Johnson won 3A state championships in both the 1,600 (4:45.88) and 3,200 (10:25.74), while Stine was a state medal winner in both of those events … These losses, compounded with the graduation of three other postseason medalists in Ella Hajel (distance), Aubri Gaston-Dykes (throws), and Claire Heard (pole vault), will make it difficult for North to match its team finishes at the county (2nd place), region (3rd), and state (5th) meets … This season, the Hubs will be relying on senior Anna Chamberlin to provide the big points. Chamberlin, last year’s state runner-up in the high jump (5-2), is coming off an indoor season where she posted a 5-0 for fourth in the state. Chamberlin will also provide star power in the triple jump and hurdles … Chamberlin will be backed by three other region placewinners in Dayanah Brunson, Annabelle Schaberl, and Reggan Chapin … Brunson is back for her sophomore season after a strong campaign in the 300 hurdles that included a county championship (48.10) and a region bronze (48.81) … Schaberl is a double region medalist in the 100 and 200, while pole vaulter Chapin is back after taking seventh in the region last spring … North Hagerstown brings back six other county placewinners, including Anna Ramaman (1,600), Anabelle Myers (800), Meilyn Twyman (400), Laila Faire Williams (300 hurdles, triple jump), Binta Macalou (100 hurdles), and Gia Gerring (100, long jump).
Opener: Friday, March 20, at Charas Heurich Invitational
South Hagerstown Rebels
Coach: Nissa Freeman
Division: Washington County Public Schools
Top projected returners: Chloe Gietka (Jr., Sprints/Jumps), Allison Cruz Almaraz (Jr., Distance), Kadie Kpukumu (Jr., Sprints), Manuella Ayenu (Jr., Sprints), Jessica Garcon (Jr., Sprints), Leanna Stewart (Sr., Distance), Peyton Schnebly (So., Distance/Jumps), Jeliekatu Jalloh (So., Distance), Jazzlyn Styles (Jr., Throws), Kelechi Akanu Ujah (So., Throws), Devin Jones (So., Throws).
Meet the Rebels: After taking 11th in the 3A West Region last spring, South Hagerstown will be bumping up to 4A this season … The road for the Rebels will be even harder with the graduation of region medalists De Leah Kackley (5th in high jump), Rhianna Ignasiak (6th in 100 hurdles, 7th in 300 hurdles), and Tochi Akanu Ujah (shot put), as well as three Washington County medalists in Naomi Powell (hurdles), Brookly Sites (throws), and Madison Yost (sprints) … In order to duplicate its success from 2025, which included a fifth-place showing at the county championships, South Hagerstown will need to draw as much star power as it can from junior jumper Chloe Gietka, who leapt to MPSSAA state medals in both the triple jump (5th, 37-0.25) and long jump (16-9.25) … Junior Allison Cruz Almaraz is the Rebels’ top returner in the 800 (2:49.83), 1,600 (6:14.37), and 3,200 (15:02.16), and will lead a distance group that includes Leanna Stewart, Payton Schnebly, and Jeliekatuh Jalloh … Jazzlyn Styles (shot put) and Kelechi Akana Ujah (discus) are South’s top returning throwers, while Devin Jones will also be looking to make some noise … Kadie Kpukumu, Manuella Ayenu, and Jessica Garcon all return valuable experience in the sprints.
Opener: Saturday, March 28, at Paul Arbogast Memorial Invitational
Smithsburg Leopards
Coach: Adam Rudy
Division: Washington County Public Schools
Top projected returners: Melyssa Bard (Jr., Sprints), Emilia Spithaler (Jr., Jumps), Lilian Hade (Jr., Mid-Distance/Pole Vault), Samantha Nieman (Sr., Throws), Jayda Tyler (So., jumps), Lauren Boumel (So., jumps), Maru Weidmyer (Jr., Distance), Adalynne Shifler (Jr., Sprints), Emmaleigh Mentzer (Jr., Pole Vault)
Meet the Leopards: Smithsburg’s stars graduated en masse after a magical 2025 season that saw the squad win team championships at the county, region, and state levels … Gone are six MPSSAA medalists in Jenna Howe (2nd in 400, 6th in 100, 6th in 200), Alaina Pate (7th in 100), Kayla Hawbecker (4th in 1,600, 4th in 3,200, 8th in 800), Cora Gentzel (2nd in 3,200, 3rd in 1,600), Ella Fisher (7th in 1,600, 8th in 3,200), and Alexandria Spithaler (2nd in pole vault) … While none of the aforementioned athletes won individual state titles, many of them teamed up to win MPSSAA gold in the 4×100, 4×200, 4×400, and 4×800 … Those losses will sting heavily, as will the graduation of four other postseason medalists in Grace Ellis (hurdles, mid-distance), Taylor King (hurdles), Alyiah Wygan (throws), and Emma Joyal (jumps/hurdles) … Lilian Hade, a junior, is the Leopards’ lone returning state medalist. She placed third in the pole vault (9-6) and seventh in the 400 (1:01.83) last season. Hade is coming off an indoor track season that saw her place third in the state with a height of 10-0 … Smithsburg is expected to return five region medalists in Samantha Nieman (shot put), Melyssa Bard (100), Emilia Spithaler (high jump, triple jump), Jayda Tyler (high jump), and Lauren Boumel (long jump) … Three others — Maru Weidmyer (distance), Adalynne Shifler (sprints), and Emmaleigh Mentzer (pole vault) — should be back this season after medaling at the county meet last spring.
Opener: Friday, March 20, at Charas Heurich Invitational
