Norris named Track Performer of the Year

As she did all year Susquehanna’s Tatum Norris led the field and was recognized as female track and field performer of the year, while Montrose Coach Dean Brewer was named All Region Coach of the Year by the Times-Tribune newspaper.

Norris highlighted the All-Regional team that contained six other local athletes and the Montrose 400-meter relay team.

After capturing PIAA gold medals in both the 100 and 200-meter races and a silver in the pole vault Norris’s recognition as performer of the year was of little surprise.

Norris attributed her success this year to her offseason preparation.

“Having a very consistent strength and endurance training enabled me to accomplish what I did,” said

Norris.

Norris has no plans to sit on her laurels as she will return to defend her titles and maybe add another.

“Getting second in the pole vault is really pushing me to get to the top of that podium,” noted Norris. “With the sprints I hope to do it all again but come back even better.”

Norris was joined on the All-Regional team by her rival in the 100 and 200-meter races, Tangi Smith of Montrose. Smith earned silver medals in both events at the District II championships and earned a bronze medal at the PIAA championships and finished eighth in the 200. She also anchored Montrose’s 400 and 1600 relay teams to earn two more state medals.

Smith along with teammates Stephanie Summerville, Gracie Dalton, and Aspen Smith were named to the All-Region team for their performance in the 400 relay.

 Chloe Diaz joined her teammate Smith on the All-Region team after capping her junior season with a fifth-place medal in the 100-meter hurdles at the PIAA championships. She won a gold in the 100 at the District II Championships along with a bronze medal in the 300 hurdles.

Elk Lake’s Krista Jones capped her Senior season with her second All-Region selection as she earned a state medal with her personal best time of 5:07.89 in the 1600-meter to capture sixth place.

Forest City’s Rachel and Kate Korty were also named to the team. Rachel was recognized after earning a gold medal at the District II championships and a fourth-place medal in the 800-meter at the PIAA championships.

Kate Korty capped a strong freshmen season with two silver medals at the District II championships in the 1600 and 3200-meter races and earned a state medal with an eighth-place finish in the 1600 at the PIAA championships and just missed a medal in the 3200 placing ninth.

Brewer was recognized after leading the Montrose girls to a Lackawanna Track Conference Division IV championship and the District II 2A team title.

All six of the All-Region selections were also tabbed by the Lackawanna Track Conference coaches for selection of the LTC Divison III-IV all stars. Norris was voted female Track Performer of the Year.

Joining them on the LTC team were Montrose’s Stephanie Summerville for her performance in the mid distance races where she excelled in the 400-meter winning the District II title.

Montrose’s Alexis Hawley was recognized for her performance in the throwing events. Hawley captured the District II gold medal in the discus.

Blue Ridge’s Heath Bowker was the lone local male athlete selected to the All-Regional team as a mid-distance runner. Bowker won a gold medal in the 400-meter at the District II championships and was also part of Blue Ridge’s gold-medal winning 1600-meter relay team. He also placed fifth in the triple jump at the District II championships.

Bowker was also selected to the LTC Division III-IV Boys’ All-Star team. He was joined by teammate Gerald Welsted who selected as a sprinter after capturing a bronze medal in the 200-meter at the District II championships and qualified for the PIAA championships. Welsted was also sixth in both the 100-meter and the long jump.