Schools
Exceptional Runners and Cheerleaders Recognized
Two cheerleaders and four track runners were recognized at the Great Valley school board's March 19 meeting.
The Great Valley School Board recognized several outstanding student athletes at their regular meeting on Monday, March 22.
Cheerleaders Named All-American
cheerleaders, Madeline Mitchell and Natalie Spiker, were both recently named All-American cheerleaders. Both girls "demonstrated outstanding skills throughout the year," assistant cheerleading coach Tina Skrip said.
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Mitchell and Spiker both spent four years on the cheerleading squad and served as captains this year. On a recent trip to a cheerleading camp in the Poconos, the girls tried out for the All-American distinction, and were recognized as two of 30 cheerleaders to make All-American on that trip, out of 300 who attended the camp.
Speicher will attend Wilmington University in the fall, where she was awarded a cheerleading scholarship, and Mitchell will attend Shippensberg University.
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Track Team Recognized
Distance medley relay team members Ned Willig, Demetrius McCary, Matt Willig and Billy Wolffe were recognized by Paul Hadser, Great Valley track coach, for their outstanding performance at Feb. 25's PFTFCA Indoor State Championship, held at Penn State.
"They were named All State, had the number one time in the state, they set a school record, and finished the distance medley in the eighth fastest time in the history of the state," Hadser said.
At states, Ned Willig was named state champion in the mile, was awarded All State, and set the all-time school record, with his time of 4:15.66, Hadser said.
Two weeks later, Willig ran the 800 at the Armory and was awarded All-American for his third-place-in-the-country finish. Willig set the meet record at Yale and holds the Pennsylvania state record.
"It was funny because when we got done with the race, I was like in shock looking down at my watch," Hadser said. "… The statistician leans over and says, 'That was the sixth fastest 800 ever run by a high school runner.' So we've been very fortunate."
Willig was also named outstanding boy athlete for Track and Field State Coaches Association.
"Hopefully we'll be back here next year reporting on some more outstanding performances," Hadser said.
[Edited 3/25/12 4pm to correct spelling of names.]
