Bethel Park indoor track & field team caps record season with national performances

The Bethel Park indoor track & field team wrapped up a standout season with record-setting performances at both state and national competitions, highlighted by a school-record 11 athletes competing at the Adidas National Indoor Track & Field Championships in Virginia Beach, Va.

The girls’ 60-meter hurdle shuttle relay team — Makayla O’Neill, Autumn Flowers, Taylor Bruckner and Francesca Balkovec — finished eighth nationally, while the distance medley relay team of Jenna Benlock, Charlize Richards, Molly McGrath and Elaine Flaherty earned a seventh-place finish. Senior McGrath also competed individually in the 400 meters, and freshman Bruckner placed ninth in the 60-meter hurdles, surpassing her personal record.

The boys team was led by senior Brady McCarthy, who competed in the triple jump and pole vault, becoming Bethel Park’s first male pole vaulter to participate at the Adidas Nationals. McCarthy also helped the boys 4x800 relay finish seventh at the Kent State University Indoor Invitational, along with teammates sophomore Jonah Mercurio and freshmen Mason Kronenberger and Jacob Schwartz.

At the TSTCA Indoor Track & Field Championships, the Hawks collected multiple top-eight finishes, personal records, and season bests. Flowers set a school record in the girls 60-meter hurdles with a third-place finish in 9.12 seconds, and Iyonna Sloan placed fifth in the 400-meters. The girls 4x800 relay earned eighth place, the 4x400 relay finished ninth, and the 4x200 relay placed 10th. On the boys side, McCarthy finished sixth in the pole vault.

The indoor season also celebrated the leadership of Bethel Park’s seniors, including McCarthy, McGrath and several relay contributors, while younger athletes delivered breakthrough performances signaling a bright future for the program.

Retiring coach Scott Staranko and assistants Mark Jacobs and Tatiana Ruzzini guided the Hawks through a season highlighted by personal records, school records, and national recognition, setting the stage for continued success in the outdoor track and field season.