Dual-sport standout Claire Karsman is a freshman at Sewickley Academy and already has received statewide acclaim.
Karsman, 15, specializes in the hurdling events for the Panthers track and field program and currently is ranked as the top freshman in the state in the girls 300-meter hurdles.
The Sewickley underclassman has recorded impressive times during the 2026 season. Karsman’s personal best in the 300-meter hurdles is 46.18, which ranks first in the state among freshman hurdlers, and her PR in the 100-meter hurdles is 15.59. She also competes in the long jump and has landed a mark of 17 feet, 6.25 inches.
“My first track season at Sewickley Academy has been a great experience,” Karsman said. “We have amazing coaches who push everyone to reach their goals, and we have a very positive and supportive team environment.
“Having the opportunity to specialize in hurdles has been so much fun. I have always loved the excitement of the 100 hurdles, but I also love the determination needed to compete in the 300 hurdles. I never ran in the 300 hurdles before this season, and now it is one of my favorite races.
“I am very grateful to be part of the track team at Sewickley. It is such a special team, and I have learned so much from both my teammates and coaches.”
The 5-foot-4 Karsman is listed by MileSplit in the Class of 2029: Top 75 Track Stars in the USA.
“My goals for the remainder of the season are to keep getting a little bit better each day and to keep working as hard as I can,” she said. “I hope to continue to improve my times and to do well at WPIALs, and hopefully states.
“After the season, I will be competing at New Balance Nationals Outdoor in the freshman division in both the 100 hurdles and 400 hurdles.”
Karsman stays extremely active year-round and has received New Balance national recognition. She also competes in soccer for the Pittsburgh Riverhounds 2010 ECNL team and runs track for El1te Spr1nts.
And she was a starting midfielder on the Sewickley Academy girls soccer team, which won the Section 3-A championship last fall with a 12-0 mark and finished 19-3 overall after racking up a 15-1 regular-season record.
“From the moment she joined the team, Claire brought a solid foundation of technical skill and tactical awareness,” said girls soccer coach Gary Weber. “She integrates seamlessly with the group and consistently demonstrates what it means to be a great teammate.
“Her success is amplified by the support of her teammates, who create the space and opportunities for her to push forward — whether that’s contributing with goals or setting up assists.”
Sewickley finished as the WPIAL Class A runner-up after defeating Ellis School, 7-0, Carlynton, 2-0, and Springdale, 2-1, in the first three rounds of the soccer playoffs.
Karsman, who accounted for 28 goals and 22 assists, earned all-WPIAL status along with Sewickley junior midfielder Emilia Carabba, senior forward Makenzie Dice and junior forward Emma Eannarino.
According to SoccerWire.com, the versatile Sewickley athlete has “exceptional technical skills, dynamic speed, a high soccer IQ and field vision, an excellent delivery on corner and free kicks, strong 1-on-1 ability, quick speed of play, smart off-ball movement, and elite endurance and fitness.”
Oh yes, here’s one more note on Karsman’s burgeoning track career: She was the Diocese of Pittsburgh middle school champion in the 100 hurdles, 200 hurdles and triple jump in 2025.