Hoprich Breaks D4 100m Record, Kosek Qualifies For States, At Day One Of Districts

By: Ed Weaver  /  May 16, 2025  /  Photo: Ed Weaver

The sophomore duo of Piper Hoprich and Lauren Kosek led the Wellsboro Track & Field teams at the first day of completion at the District IV Championships in Williamsport on Thursday.

Hoprich not only updated her 100m record, but she also set District IV's Class 2A 100m record as she laid down a time of 11.98 in the 2nd heat of the 100m prelims. Hoprich was the only female athlete on Thursday to run a sub-12 second 100m dash regardless of class.

"We haven't had a nice day like we did today all season," Hoprich said. "I was pushed more in this race than I have the entire season so far, and I've been working really, really hard in the off season. It just feels so good. The other girls were very fast out of the blocks, but the way I run my races is to finish strong at the end."

Hoprich broke the Lady Hornets' 100m mark last year as a freshman against Sayre and Wyalusing running a 12.44. At last year's District championships she broke it again with a 12:40, and broke it a third time at the PIAA championships at Shippensburg University with a 12.21.

"I was looking at being the top seed for Saturday's finals which was 12.18," commented Hoprich on her plans for her only race on Thursday. "I was not expecting breaking 12 (seconds) at all."

Roughly 10 minutes after Hoprich's race, Kosek took to the track for her lone event of the day, the 3200m run. She got off to a quick start, running a one-minute, 15-second first lap. Kosek, Lewisburg's Baylee Espinosa and Northeast Bradford's Gracelyn Laudermilch broke away from the rest of the field and stuck together through roughly two-thirds of the race with Kosek out in front. Espinosa and Laudermilch eventually passed Kosek on the sixth lap, but Kosek worked her way back to 2nd place to finish in 10:59.38 and qualify for states.

"Going into the race I knew there was a good chance they were going to sit behind me but I still had hope that they would set a good pace and I could sit behind them. It was a hard race," she added. "It's hard to run a race when you're just biding your time until they pass you, then keeping that same rhythm."

This year's District IV schedule switched the order of events around. Last year the 3200m was run to start the Saturday portion of the track events. This year, the 3200m was the fifth and final track event. Last year the race was run in a torrential downpour. This year it was partly sunny and roughly 80 degrees.

"Until three weeks ago when we found out the 3200 was on Thursday I mentally prepared myself to try and run an 11:30 or an 11:32, basically as close to a state qualifying time without going over to give myself the opportunity to also qualify in the 1600. When it got moved then I knew I could turn it into a race and try to beat people and still be good for the 1600 on Saturday."

Kosek now has her eyes set on Shippensburg and bringing home a state medal. Last year she ran 11:25.81 to finish 14th overall in the 3200m.

"I'm excited. The atmosphere is fun there. I'm really looking for a state medal and run my strongest race."

Head coach Elizabeth Hoover praised her two sophomores on their day one performances.

"When I think of what Piper and Lauren did today, one word comes to mind. Dedication! These two have set goals all year, and they continue to reach them. Lauren is our first state qualifier, and Piper not only broke her own record in the 100, but she broke the District IV record! I am so proud of what these two have accomplished, but they are only getting started."

In addition to Hoprich's record and Kosek's state qualifying run, senior Annie Gehman and freshman Isla Twoey also took part in the long jump. Gehman finished 8th overall with a jump of 15-ft, 3-inches while Twoey was 13th with a 14-ft, 2.5-inch jump.

On the boys side of the meet, senior Micah Vickery finished 10th in the 110m hurdles (16.36) with junior David Seeling (17.05) taking 20th. Junior Max Macias finished 10th in the 3200m (10:12.05) with junior Henry Whitney behind him in 13th (10:27.08), and the 4x800m relay team of Macias, Whitney, junior Ethan Geneski and junior Jude Cuneo finished 12th in 8:48.98.

Senior Micaiah Fitch brought home the boys' lone medal of the afternoon, taking 8th in the long jump at 20-ft, 4-inches.

The Lady Hornets currently sit tied for 8th overall with Northeast Bradford with 9 points while the boys team is 18th overall with 1 point. The action resumes from Williamsport Saturday morning at 9:30 a.m.