READING — Their names aren’t familiar, yet. They will be soon. McCaskey’s Ella Petrosky and Vivian Salerno are on a path toward greatness.
For the moment, they’re freshmen with enormous potential. The times they dream of posting have rarely been seen in these parts.
The Lancaster-Lebanon League’s PAL Indoor Track and Field Challenge held at Alvernia University was their formal introduction Sunday. Petrosky won the 60 meters. Salerno took first in the 800.
The gold medals weren’t the eye-opening part. It was the speed they put on display.
Petrosky finished in 7.74. Her PR of 7.66 ranks fourth in the state this winter. Salerno finished in 2:15.19. That ranks her fourth in the state as well.
If you dig a little deeper, the numbers get even more impressive.
Petrosky ran the 100 in 12.2 as an eighth-grader. That would’ve ranked her fifth in the L-L among high school competitors. Petrosky’s goal is to break 12 seconds. A freshman has never done that. Only five L-L girls have ever done it.
“I think she has the talent to be the fastest 100-meter runner in league history,” McCaskey coach Derek Jennings said. “Based on top-end speed and based on work ethic. She has to stay healthy, which is such a big deal in sprints. I think she’s got all-world ability.”
Salerno brings the same kind of expectations to her race. She ran the 800 in 2:12.53 at the AAU Junior Olympics over the summer. No L-L high school girl posted a time that fast last spring.
The dream for Salerno is to break 2:10. Only one L-L girl, Solanco’s Alana Yoder, has achieved that feat.
“I think she could be the best 800 runner in league history,” Jennings said. “She’s got that ability. A lot can happen in track and field. I don’t know if I’ve ever seen a more talented 800 runner.”
Petrosky transferred to McCaskey from Hempfield before she entered high school. The Red Tornado already had an embarrassment of riches in the sprints. Their talent pool became even deeper.
The freshman was aware of her new school’s track and field excellence. She was excited to become part of it.
“Everyone has been so welcoming,” Petrosky said. “It’s been really good. The training has been amazing and I’m just so thankful for it.”
McCaskey dominated the 800 with Isabella Shertzer, now at Columbia University, taking first in the league for four consecutive seasons. It doesn’t look like the Red Tornado is going to surrender its grip on that event.
Salerno could break Shertzer’s school record of 2:12.44. The 800 is the perfect fit for the precocious ninth-grader.
“It’s not too short and it’s not too long,” Salerno said. “A mile gets so boring and I can’t sprint that fast. I like how if you train regularly, you’ll see improvement.”
While the indoor championships provided a glimpse into the future, there were also some reminders of the past.
All four of the L-L’s defending state champions competed. Cedar Crest’s Kaddel Howard won the 400, just like she did in Class 3A at the PIAA meet in May. Manheim Central’s Laci Nelson won the shot put, matching her PIAA Class 3A result.
McCaskey’s Genesis Castro and Lancaster Catholic’s Margaret Bila were second and third in the shot. Those two were both state champs in the discus eight months ago.
Penn Manor’s Kate Harnish took gold in the pole vault and long jump. Cedar Crest’s Eliana Schneider, who won gold in two L-L events last outdoor season, took first in the high jump. McCaskey swept the boys and girls team championships.
Petrosky and Salerno were also part of relay victories, adding to one of the Red Tornado's strengths in recent years.
It’ll be interesting to see how low the freshmen can go. History could be waiting for them.
