The Shady Side Academy girls cross country program had a strong group of runners who collected many medals over the past few seasons. With the Bulldogs’ seasoned veterans returning, plus the addition of a key freshman, Shady Side Academy won the PIAA Class A championship for the first time in school history.
Freshman Josie Lenart finished second at the state meet, after winning the Foundation Meet on the same course earlier this season, with a time of 19 minutes, 41 seconds. Teammate Charlotte Barker, who won the WPIAL championship, placed fourth with a time of 19:57. Ella Van Norman (30th, 21:49), Rhyley Bendel (35th, 21:58) and Marcelle Minutolo (51st, 22:32) finished in the top five for Shady Side Academy.
Barker, Bendel, Lenart and Van Norman also teamed up to win the 3,200-meter relay at the WPIAL Class 2A track championship in the spring.
The girls track and cross country teams were part of a strong season for the Bulldogs across all athletics. Here are some other moments to remember:
Swimmers make history
Junior Ava Jochims won the 500-yard freestyle for the second time to help the Shady Side Academy swim team win the PIAA Class 2A team title for the second time in school history. The Bulldogs’ 400 free relay also won a silver medal at states.
Field hockey claims crown
Harley Tomasi scored in the third quarter and Shady Side Academy held on for a 1-0 win over Aquinas Academy to claim the program’s fourth consecutive district crown. The Bulldogs are now tied with North Allegheny for the most championships all-time with 22.
Johnston wins at states
Sophomore Javon Johnston broke through in track as a freshman, qualifying for the PIAA Class 2A championships. When he made the return to Shippensburg this spring, he didn’t waste his second opportunity.
Battling through poor weather and imperfect conditions, Johnston won the state championship in the triple jump with a leap of 45 feet, 9 inches. Johnston set the school records in the triple jump and the long jump during the regular season.
Back on top
The Bulldogs were able to send Karis Thomas, who set the school record in scoring with 2,114 points, and Cassie Sauer, who also topped the 1,000-point mark, out with a WPIAL Class 3A girls basketball title. Shady Side Academy made it to the PIAA semifinals before bowing out to bitter rival Greensburg Central Catholic.
The Bulldogs tripped up the Centurions in the WPIAL championship game.
Lucky No. 13
Jim Dudas didn’t have the easiest ride during his first season leading the Bulldogs basketball program. Shady Side Academy, which finished the season 10-16, found a way in the WPIAL Class 3A playoffs and proved not to be an easy out. The No. 13 seed Bulldogs upset No. 4 Bishop Canevin in the first round and then knocked out Southmoreland to clinch a spot in the state playoffs.
Boys lacrosse scales mountain
The Bulldogs used five unanswered goals to topple Pine-Richland and win the WPIAL Class 3A crown. Shady Side Academy, which was seeded third, jumped out to a 5-0 lead before winning 12-6. John Poggi scored three goals and added three assists.