When you’re a top-level high school athlete making the jump to Division I college sports, both pressure and expectations are going to be higher than ever before.
Taryn Parks, a former PIAA champion runner for Greencastle-Antrim, is not only answering the bell for the North Carolina Tar Heels, she’s thriving in the spotlight.
One year after winning the ACC Indoor Championship in the mile, Parks has done it again, defending her conference championship with a time of 4:39.36. Since the big win, Parks has returned to the outdoor track scene and has competed in one invitational so far this spring.
In College Corner this week, we’ll take a closer look at the season being had by Parks, while also putting the magnifying glass on how other athletes from Greencastle are performing this spring.
In the weeks to come, we will check up on college athletes hailing from Chambersburg and Waynesboro, before circling back to Greencastle. Additions for College Corner can be sent to Andy Sandrik via email at big_andy76@yahoo.com.
OUTDOOR TRACK & FIELD
Taryn Parks, Junior, North Carolina
Following a immensely successful indoor track season, Parks is back to working her craft outside.
Parks is coming off a brilliant showing at the ACC Championships on Feb. 23-25, where she defended her conference championship in the mile with a time of 4:39.36.
She opened her spring season at the Raleigh Relays on March 23-25, placing 50th in the 5,000 with a time of 16:38.43.
The Tar Heels return to action this weekend at the Duke Invitational.
Kaitlin Measell, Junior, Shenandoah
It’s been a busy spring for Measell, a sprinter and jumper for the Hornets.
She kicked off her spring season by winning the long jump with a leap of 17-9 at the South Region Final Qualifier & Multi on March 3-4.
Two weeks later, Measell took on three events at the Alan Connie Shamrock Invitational on March 16-18. She took 26th in the long jump (16-10) and 34th in the 200 (27.02), while also leading her team’s 4×100 squad to a 13th-place finish in 50.51.
Competing at the Doc Jopson Invitational on March 25, Measell took her speed to a new level, placing second in the 100 with a PR time of 12.66 and fifth in the 200 with a time of 25.86.
Finally, Measell stayed active at the Colonial Relays on March 30-April 1, taking second in the long jump with an 18-1.5 and finishing 41st in the 200 with a time of 26.11.
Shenandoah returns to action this weekend at The North River Invitational.
Claire Coons, Freshman, Millersville
Coons, a sprinter, showcased her talents in all distances from 100 to 400 at the 40th Millersville Metrics on March 31-April 1.
Coons assisted Millersville’s 4×100 squad to a fifth-place finish in 50.91, while also placing ninth in the 400 (1:02.49) and 18th in the 200 (27.42).
The Marauders return to action on Saturday when they travel to compete at the West Chester Golden Ram Invitational.
Weber Long, Freshman, Wake Forest
We’re waiting for Long to make his collegiate outdoor debut this spring.
He last competed for Wake Forest during indoor season, blazing through the mile race in 4:21.72 at the Camel City Invitational on Feb. 3-4.
The Demon Deacons return to action this weekend at the Duke Invitational.
Danny Miller, Sophomore, Lynchburg
Following a successful indoor season, Miller is back to make his mark on the outdoor scene.
Miller is coming off an indoor track campaign where he ran a 4:33.15 in the mile at the ODAC Conference Championships on Feb. 25-26. He kicked off his outdoor season on March 24-25 at the Dr. Jack Toms Alumni Invitational. There, Miller finished 15th in the 800 (2:00.82) and 34th in the 1,500 with a PR time of 4:06.77.
Lynchburg travels to Randolph College on Saturday to compete in the WildCat Track Festival.
BASKETBALL
Thomas Lewis, Sophomore, Goucher
Lewis, a 5-foot-10, 155-pound guard, recently wrapped up his sophomore season for the Gophers.
He appeared in 19 of 24 games, including two starts, and in 238 minutes of play totaled 31 points, 19 rebounds, 10 assists, and three steals. Lewis was 9 of 32 from 3-point land this season.
Goucher concludes its season with a 3-21 record, and a 1-13 mark in the Landmark Conference.
BASEBALL
Ethan Miller, Junior, Shippnesburg
Miller, a 6-foot-4, 205-pound right-handed pitcher for the Raiders, recently had his first scoreless outing of the season.
Working 3 1/3 shutout innings in a 3-1 loss to Pitt-Johnstown on April 4, Miller allowed four hits and two walks, while striking out five batters.
Miller has appeared in 10 games, including four starts, and has worked 32 2/3 innings for an 0-2 record with an 8.54 ERA. He’s allowed 32 runs, 31 earned, on 33 hits and 23 walks, while striking out 34 batters.
Miller, a Supply Chain Management Major, and Shippensburg (18-15, 6-6 PSAC) return to the field on Saturday with a home doubleheader against Lock Haven.
SOFTBALL
Haley Dawson, Junior, Penn State Mont Alto
Dawson, a 5-foot-7 ballplayer splitting time between pitching and utility work, has assisted PSU Mont Alto to a 10-8 start this season.
On the mound, Dawson has made four appearances and in 6 2/3 innings of work she has an 0-1 record with a 4.20 ERA. She’s allowed nine runs, four earned, on 15 hits and one walk, while striking out five.
At the plate, Dawson is batting .100 (1 for 10) with one run.
The Lions return to action on Saturday with a road doubleheader at Penn State Du Bois.
Abigail Cunningham, Freshman, Penn State Mont Alto
Cunningham, a 5-foot-5 utility player for the Lions, recently had her biggest game of the season.
Playing in an 11-0 win over Christendom on March 29, Cunningham exploded for a 3 for 3 showing, which includes a double, run, and three RBI.
For the season, Cunningham is batting .371 (13 for 35) with four doubles, seven runs, and 11 RBI.
