Shady Side Academy girls track coach Jeff Perlis entered his 3,200-meter relay team into the Tri-State Track Coaches Association championship at West Mifflin with the idea that if they broke 9 minutes, 40 seconds, they could qualify to compete at the Penn Relay Carnival at Franklin Field in Philadelphia.

The Bulldogs team of Rhyley Bendel, Charlotte Barker, Josie Lenart and Ella Van Norman won the event with a time of 9 minutes, 34.17 seconds. Despite being nearly six seconds ahead of the pace, Perlis didn’t see a satisfied group.

“We trained hard that week and said we need a solid day out of everyone,” Perlis said. “The group was a little disappointed with our time.”

The group didn’t disappoint at Franklin Field at the Penn Relays. Shady Side Academy ran a 9:26.63 at the event to set a school record. It is the fastest time out of any WPIAL 2A team so far this season and sixth overall regardless of class.

“We love going there,” Perlis said. “This is the second time we’ve been. We went when the current seniors were sophomores. It’s such a blessing to be able to go and compete at that level. We love seeing exactly what’s out there in terms of the best kids from the East Coast and some kids from Jamaica. It speaks to the talent level of what the kids were able to put together.”

Van Norman, who is a senior, could become the first athlete in Shady Side Academy history to medal in the same event four times.

Barker picked up a big individual win at the Butler Invitational, placing first in the 3,200 run with a time of 10:53.26. Lenart placed fourth in the mile run and the 1,600. Maria Ravotti finished fifth in the high jump with a leap of 5 feet, 2 inches, while Aurora Cunkelman placed seventh in the discus with a throw of 105-1.

Lenart, a freshman, has fit in well with the three other upperclassmen on the relay.

“She’s run in her fair share of national-level meets in middle school,” Perlis said. “I’m not worried about her losing herself in a big moment. She’s handling herself well.”

Shady Side Academy also has seen sophomore Francesca Pietragallo have a big spring. She has broken her own school record in the 200.

Perlis expects she can possibly qualify for the WPIAL championships in the 100, 200 and 400 dashes.

“She’s coming into her own,” Perlis said. “What Francesca has been able to do is remarkable. She set and broke her own 200-meter school record. She just PR’d in the 100, and she shows extraordinary range.”

On the boys side, Javon Johnston picked up a pair of wins at the Butler Invite. He placed first in the triple jump with a leap of 46-5 ½ and in the long jump (22-10 ½).

Brennan Kaminski finished fourth in the 800 with a time of 1:58.26.