Published: June 30, 2009 11:32 pm      

Local track athletes shine at Hershey State Meet

POTOMAC — Four area youths competed Saturday at the Hershey Maryland Track and Field Championship in Potomac. The local athletes qualified for the state meet by placing first in their events at the local competition held earlier in June by the Cumberland Parks and Recreation Deptartment at Greenway Avenue Stadium. Approximately 400 athletes from around the state competed in the state meet.

The local contingent was led by Bria Welker of Ridgeley, W.Va., who swept the girls age 13-14 titles in the 100-meter dash, 200-meter dash and standing broad jump on her way to being honored as the Outstanding Athlete of the Meet. Bria is awaiting word on whether she will be selected to participate for the Mid-Atlantic Region in the Hershey Track and Field Games North American Final in Hershey, PA. This international competition will be held July 30-Aug. 2.

The remaining members of the Cumberland area squad included Frostburg’s Andrew Heft, third place, boys 11-12, 800-meter run; Flintstone’s Elizabeth Lowe, seventh place, girls 11-12, standing broad jump; and Cumberland’s Margot Robinette, eighth place, girls 9-10, 200-meter dash).

All of the athletes received ribbons for placing in their events as well as T-shirts commemorating their achievement as state finalists.