One year ago, Northern’s track and field team had to face the reality that their season was cancelled after only beginning practices because of the Coronavirus pandemic. The cancellation of spring sports impacted the seasons of many of Northern’s athletes, including state champion Marlee Starliper and others, but it seems that the Polar Bears are going to make the most of the 2021 season. Throughout the first half of the season, the Polar Bears have displayed their readiness for the season as the boy’s team has remained undefeated and the girl’s team has only lost in one meet. The overall team performance is of utmost importance, but the individual accomplishments of members of the track team are notable as well this season.
Heading into the season, PennLive distinguished members of the boy’s and girl’s track team as athletes to watch this spring. For shotput and discus, senior Makayla Decker was noted as a name to know this spring, which she has made evident through her discus throws this season. Makayla currently has the seventh best discus throw in District III with a throw of 119’0’’. Another member of the girl’s track team, Allie Engle, was suspected to be a dominant athlete in the long distance competitions. Jon Barrett was a qualifier in the District Three Track and Field Competition last year until the season was cut short, but he has already shown his talent and skill this season when he broke the school discus record with a throw of 175’9’’, which is currently the top throw in District III. His throw surpassed Ben Thuma’s throw of 173’9’’ from 1999, who is now the throwing coach for the Coast Guard Academy’s Track and Field Team. Jon’s record breaking throw leads him into his freshman year of college, where he plans to throw for the Coast Guard Academy. Besides throwing, freshman Cassidy Sadler has the 296th fastest 400 time in the country among ninth graders and another freshman, Colin Snyder, has the 920th fastest time in the 1600 among ninth graders. Junior Zach French recorded the seventh best long jump in District III with a jump of 21’9’’. These athletes greatly contribute to the overall success of the Polar Bear Track and Field Team, thus leading to a nearly undefeated season. Along with the team competition for District Three, these athletes are preparing for the District competition, which is scheduled for May 21-22.
Left to Right: Cassidy Brunner, Jon Barrett, Makayla Decker
Photos by Kurt Werner.
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