Two meets into its season, the Upper Perkiomen indoor track team appears to be developing a depth at several jumping events. Two sophomores have also displayed an acumen for the triple jump.

UPHS distance runners warm up.

            Multiple under- classmen have emerged as quality pole vaulters behind Samantha Pedrick during the winter season, according to head coach Clayton Mowrer. He said the Indians appear to be building the depth necessary to compete in the Pioneer Athletic Conference's Frontier Division and qualify for the District One Class 3A championships in the spring.

            "I'm very happy with where everyone is," he said.

            Pedrick, a sophomore, has posted the team's top individual performances this season during two meets at Alvernia University. The returning district qualifier finished 12th on Dec. 9, clearing eight feet. The following week, she took fifth with a leap of 9'6.

            Pedrick, who is only four inches from her best leap of last spring, benefits from a gymnastics background according to Mowrer. He said she has a shot to qualify for the PIAA championships, likely by clearing 11 feet.

            "Everything has got to go right," the coach said. "Sam competes in the right way. When she fails on a jump, she gets determined to succeed."

            Jasmine Loose, a sophomore, and Morgan O'Hara, a freshman, should provide depth in the pole vault in the spring. Loose cleared seven feet and finished 18th on Dec. 9. One week later, O'Hara reached the same height and ended up in 17th place.

            Two sophomores, Anne Gerstenberg and Haley McMaster, volunteered to try the triple jump. According to Mowrer, both have taken part in the event.  "We needed some girls to try the triple jump," he said. "They volunteered."

            McMaster finished 13th with a leap of 29'1.5 on Dec. 9. One week later, Gerstenberg jumped 30' 2.25 and ended up in 17th place.

            Abigail Conti and McMaster have done well at the long jump. Conti, a senior, jumped 14'6 on Dec. 9. One week later, McMaster cleared 14'2.

            Sallybeth McClaskey, a ninth grader, has shown promise in the 60 meter hurdle, according to Mowrer. She finished 39th in the event with a time of 11.53 seconds on Dec. 9.

          "She has phenomenal technique," the coach said of McClaskey. "She's great at getting over the hurdles. We're working on getting her faster between hurdles."

            On the track, the Indians 3,200 relay team of Nadia Frydlewicz, Margaret Milkowich, Lauren Donahue and Tia Leister is working hard to qualify for the District One Class 3A championships. Mowrer said their winter times have made the bigger schools take notice.

            On Dec. 16, the relay posted a seventh-place finish with a time of 10:57.47. The coach said the spring district qualifying time will be around 10:30.

            After the new year, several soccer and field hockey players will join the team, related Mowrer. He said most are hoping to stay in shape.

            Mary Kate Sitko and Kyra Lesko, from the soccer team that qualified for the PIAA Class 3A title game, will compete as sprinters. Jade and Julia Traynor will run sprints. Abrianna Gatto should compete in the hurdles events.