North Schuylkill's Carter Green throws the discus like few high school girls have ever thrown it. When she set a District 11 record this spring by throwing the discus 152 feet, 7 inches, she was seeded first for the upcoming PIAA Class AA state championships by more than 25 feet.
When she didn't throw as well at Shippensburg University, she was a little upset, but that disappointment was salved by the fact that she took a silver medal. After being highly seeded and failing to place in 2012, that medal around her neck was just fine.
Green, for the second straight year, is Female Athlete of the Year on The News-Item's All-Area Girls Track and Field team.
Green won her third straight District 11 Class AA title in the discus and placed at the state meet for the second time after finishing fifth as a freshman. She was also third in the district in the shot put and was first in the discus for the third straight year and second in the shot put at the Schuylkill League meet. Green was third among area scorers with 125 points.
A member of the team for the third straight year, Green is joined by two other three-time picks, also juniors - Mount Carmel's Ali Varano and Southern Columbia's Teanna Shutt. In addition, there are four other repeat picks from last season - North Schuylkill's Carly Gregas, Mount Carmel's Lauren Hause, Southern Columbia's Bailey Bzdak and Line Mountain's Colleen Troutman, who competes for Upper Dauphin in a co-op program.
They are joined by first-time selections Rachel Schultz and Amber Kogut of Mount Carmel; Sofia Pearson and Danielle Reed of Shamokin; Kylie Fetterolf, Heather Skinner, Maura Gownley and Nina Marone of North Schuylkill; and Gabrielle Delbo and Gabrielle Scherer of Southern Columbia.
Following are thumbnail sketches of the other selections:
Ali Varano Mount Carmel, jr.
Although she did not reach the state meet, Varano was the top all-around performer in the area. She easily led the area in scoring with 199.5 points and was a multiple placewinner at both the Heartland Conference Invitational and the District 4-AA meet. She was third in the both the 400 and the 300-meter intermediate hurdles, and fourth in the 100 at the Heartland meet. At the district meet, she was third in the 300 hurdles (missing state qualifying by .03 second), fourth in the 400, sixth in the 100 and eighth in the long jump. Had area best time of 47.30 in the 300 hurdles, an event she took up at midseason.
Teanna Shutt Southern Columbia, jr.
Finished second to Varano among area scorers with 138.5 points. Took sixth in the pole vault, eighth in the 3200 meters at the District 4-AA meet, fifth in pole vault at the Heartland meet. Did 9-6 in pole vault to tie for area best.
Carly Gregas North Schuylkill, soph.
Gregas joined teammate Green as medalist at state meet, hitting career best and area best of 5-5 to take third after placing fifth as a freshman. Also competed in other jumps and on Spartan relay teams. Scored 102 points.
Lauren Hause Mount Carmel, jr.
Hause was steady scorer in distance events and relays during season for Red Tornadoes, racking up 96.25 points. Had personal best of 5:30.50 in 1600.
Bailey Bzdak Southern Columbia, jr.
Sprinter-jumper was second in the long jump, sixth in the triple jump at the Heartland meet, and fourth in the long jump at the district meet. Scored 124.25 points and did 16-7¼ in the long jump.
Colleen Troutman Upper Dauphin (Line Mtn.), jr.
Troutman was third in the 100 and fifth in the 400 at the District 3-AA championships, and had the area's best time in the latter (1:00.55). Won the 100, 200 and 400 at the Tri-Valley League meet, earning meet MVP honors.
Rachel Schultz Mount Carmel, jr.
Schultz placed seventh in the 200 at the district AA championships and was a steady performer in the 400, 200 and 1600 relay all season. Scored 63.25 points.
Amber Kogut Mount Carmel, fr.
Had solid first season as leading thrower for Red Tornadoes. Placed sixth in district in discus (94-1) and scored 56 points.
Sofia Pearson Shamokin, fr.
Finished first season as Indians' leading scorer (54.25 points), placed seventh in district (AAA) in 200 and was part of place-winning 1600-meter relay team.
Danielle Reed Shamokin, fr.
Eighth in AAA 400 at district meet, and member of fourth-place 400 relay and fifth-place 1600 relay teams.
Kylie Fetterolf North Schuylkill, jr.
Eighth in 400 at District 11-AA championships, third in same event at Schuylkill League championships, and part of 1600 relay team which placed third at districts.
Heather Skinner North Schuylkill, soph.
Fifth at District 11-AA meet in 100 high hurdles. third in same event at Schuylill League meet and also eighth in long jump at latter meet. Part of fourth-place 400 relay at Schuylkill meet. Scored 55.5 points.
Maura Gownley North Schuylkill, jr.
Eighth in the triple jump and 300-meter intermediate hurdles at District 11 meet, fifth in 300 hurdles at Schuylkill League meet, and ran on place-winning relays. Scored 62.25 points.
Nina Marone North Schuylkill, soph.
Placed third at District 11 championships in javelin with throw of 120 feet, 4 inches after placing sixth at the Schuylkill League championships.
Gabriella Delbo Southern Columbia, fr.
Although she didn't place at either Heartland or District 4 meets, had solid first season as consistent scorer in middle distance events and relays. Scored 64 points and had times of 1:02.45 in the 400 and 2:33.06 in the 800.
Gabrielle Scherer Southern Columbia, jr.
Placed seventh in high hurdles at district meet, eighth at Heartland Conference meet. Scored 43 points.
Honorable mention
North Schuylkill - Carly Bonomo, Ryan Evanousky; Shamokin - Alaina Petrovich, Molly McDevitt; Southern Columbia - Aly Stavinski.