Apollo-Ridge Track Coach Larry Lizik explains, “We struggled to cover all the events with the girls. We don't have the personnel to cover all the events. But numbers are up, and we couldn't ask for a better group of kids.” Senior leadership, as Lizik mentioned earlier, played a big part on the team. Senior Katie McLay received a WPIAL scholarship at the WPIAL Athletics Directors meeting and is in the top five of her class. “She’s been an outstanding competitor for us,” Lizik says. And, “A tremendous workhorse for us,” the coach notes, “has been [senior] Chelsey Riggle. She pole-vaults, hurdles—does whatever we ask. If an event is ready to go off and we need someone, she will do it.” The Lady Vikings, despite a difficult season in the win/loss column, will likely have several going on to WPIALs and perhaps beyond to States.

Others To Watch: Junior Kelcy Altmire, long jump, triple jump (she broke Apollo’s school record in the long jump this year); junior Katy Liska, javelin (thrown 109 ft. this season, ranked in top 8 in WPIAL AA, may have shot at States); sophomore Ophelia Polke, discus (thrown 100ft 1.5 inches, close to highest in WPIAL AA which would give her shot at States).