Despite a late start to actual competition, Solanco's track teams are off to a great start. The boys are 2-0 with wins over Elizabethtown (95-55 April 12) and Cocalico (83-67 April 8). And while the girls are still in the hunt for their first win, there were standout performances in their losses to Elizabethtown (93-57) and Cocalico (78-70).

"We had a great first meet against Cocalico," said head coach Jen McDowell. "Despite covid quarantines that set us back, the athletes worked hard, and it showed. For the majority, this was their first high school meet, and many were attempting events for the first time."

Elijah Reimold sparked a dominating performance by the Solanco jumpers, leading sweeps in the high, pole vault and triple jump as well as winning the long jump. Trent Henry, who was third in the long, and Trent McDowell followed Reimold in the high jump while Lucas Boyd and Jimmy Morales completed the pole vault sweep. In the triple, it was McDowell and Henry taking second and third. This group secured all but three points in the jumps.

Also in the field, Brian Coleman, Lance Workman and Robert Castagna added a sweep in the javelin.

Highlighting the events on the track was Ryan Vanover with top times in the 100 and 200 and Anthony Solis winning the mile and taking second in the 800. Freshman Wyatt Tomison stepped up with a win the 3200 and McDowell added seconds in the 110 and 300 hurdles.

While the girls earned a sweep in the javelin, it was Katie Urbine's pole vaulting that highlighted the meet. Urbine, a sophomore, cleared 11-1 to set a new school record. The previous record of 11-0 was by Brook (McCardell) Daly set in 2015. She also won the 100 and was second in the long jump.

Leading the javelin sweep was Hannah Wood. Halle Brown was second and placing third in her third event (shot and discus) was Martha Weaver.

Also winning was Greta Plechner in the high jump. She was also second in the pole vault.

Wrapping up Solanco's six wins was Christine Wagner in the 3200. The sophomore also joined forces with Weaver, Olivia Singleton and Brown to win the 4x800.

The Mules were expecting a close match up with Elizabethtown Monday and came through with points they weren't expecting.

"Winning all three relays was a must and we did that," said McDowell. "Ian Althoff picked up second in both the 100 and 200 which was huge and a sweep in the shot was unexpected. Shout out to Cole Gladfelter for picking up the third and to Lance Workman with a second in the javelin. The throwers did a great job getting extra points."

Althoff and Aidan Wood teamed with Liam Findley and Josiah Forren to take the 4x400 and with Riley Ford and Vanover in the 4x400. Opening the meet with a win in the 4x800 Tomison, Joe Hardigan, Evan Kline and Findley.

Reimold won the high and triple jumps and was second in the pole vault and long jump and Vanover picked up more wins in the 100 and 200. Tomison added a win the mile, Solis took the 3200 and Brian Coleman took the javelin.

In addition to the relay sweep, Connor Smith, Braden Caldwell and Gladfelter controlled the shot.

Also coming up big was McDowell with seconds in both hurdles and the triple jump.

Despite the loss, the girls turned in more outstanding performances. Urbine won four events (100, 200, pole vault and long jump) and Sophia Stoltzfus was tops in the high and triple jumps. Plechner chipped in with seconds in the 300 hurdles, high jump and pole vault and Brown was third in the 400 and 800.

BASEBALL

The baseball team wrapped up their first run through Section Two with a loss to Lampeter-Strasburg Friday, April 9 and then topped visiting Elizabethtown 5-2 on Monday, leaving them with a 3-2 Section Two record.

The Pioneers, with a 10-hit attack, pushed across three runs in the first inning and never lost the lead in a 6-2 final. Solanco plated both of their runs with two outs in the bottom half on a Nate Harnish double. They finished with four hits on the day and N. Harnish had two. Tyler Burger and Seth Harnish also contributed.

On the hill, Mitchell Moyer and Logan Wagner combined for three strikeouts and five walks.

"Logan came on in relief in the second inning and gave up one earned run," noted Fish. "He did an outstanding job of keeping us in the game."

Despite striking out nine times, the Mules pounded out nine hits, scored three runs in the second and padded their lead with two in the third to take control of the Bears, 5-2 on Monday.

Tyler Burger struck out four and walked four in the complete game victory. "Tyler was in total control. He gave up one earned run and only three hits," said Fish.

"Defensively, Avery Jacobsen had another strong game at short and Ethan Clary made a diving catch in the seventh to prevent the game from getting too interesting," he added.

In crossover action Wednesday, the Mules lost a 6-0 no-hitter in six innings. Clary started on the hill and was relieved by Kyle Stively who made his Solanco baseball debut.

SOFTBALL

With three lopsided victories to start the season, Solanco made the short trip north to Lampeter where the tables turned. Despite scoring a run in the top of the first inning, Solanco gave up ten in the bottom of the second and went on to suffer an 18-1 loss.

Emily Sims reached on an error, was bunted to second by Holly Grube and scored on Jade Eshleman's two out single to left. Becca Foulk's double in the third was Solanco's only other hit.

The Pioneers opened the second with a leadoff homer and later put together five straight hits, including a three-run homer for a 10-1 lead. They ended the game with a grand slam.

Anna Sexton and Marlee Haupt both saw action in the circle. They combined for three strikeouts and six walks.

"It was a good learning experience," said head coach Brett Miller. "It made us work a little harder after that."

With weather pushing Monday's game at E-town to Tuesday, Solanco went back to work and came home with a 3-2 thriller.

After three scoreless innings, the visitors broke in front in the top of the fourth. Becca Foulk singled with one out. Jade Eshleman's one hopper back to the pitcher was thrown wide of second, moving Foulk to third. Marlee Haupt's sac fly put Solanco on the board. Anna Sexton followed with a shot up the middle that pushed Eshleman, who stole second, home for a 2-0 lead.

Solanco plated what proved to be the winning run in the sixth. Foulk doubled, moved to third on Eshleman's base hit and scored on another Haupt sac fly to right.

"Those sac flys are big," said Miller. "We needed every one of those three runs."

Etown challenged in the bottom half, pushing two runs across but was denied after that.

"Anna was effective. She threw just 95 pitches," Miller said.

Wednesday, despite an annoying drizzle, Solanco blanked McCaskey 19-0 in three innings.

Haupt (6K, 0W) earned the win in the circle and Emily Sims hit for the cycle to highlight the offense. She singled, followed with a run scoring triple, a two-run homer and a two-run double.

Eshleman's three run round tripper in the first inning provided the first runs of the game.