Hoprich, Kosek Bring Home Medals At PIAA Track Championships
By: Ed Weaver | NTL Sports | May 25, 2025 | Photo courtesy Chris Manning
The sophomore duo of Piper Hoprich and Lauren Kosek brought home a combined three medals during the PIAA Track Championships at Shippensburg.
Both earned their medals on Saturday while guiding the Lady Hornets to a 10th (20 points) place finish.
On Friday Kosek placed 11th in the 1600m in 5:09.66 while Hoprich finished 5th in the 100m prelims in 12.21. She later finished 4th in her 200m prelim in 25.38.
Kosek kicked off the competition Saturday by placing third in the 3200m to win bronze. She ran a new PR of 10:45.51, dropping her school record time roughly 14 seconds.
"It was so perfect," she said. "Everything went ideally during the race! I had the goal of trying to qualify for nationals, but I tried to focus on racing against my competitors, since that's what states is for, and I knew that if I could place well the time would show it! I couldn't be happier!"
Last year Kosek finished 14th in the 3200m.
"I had my sights set on a state medal, and I just had to execute," she added. "I was really proud of my 1600 yesterday. I ran a super smart and strong race. I think that definitely was a confidence boost going into today. The first two girls went out faster than I was expecting them to, but thankfully a girl went out just ahead of me and I was able to hold onto her for the first like 6 laps. I ran such a strong race and I am so happy with it!"
Kosek isn't quite done with her track training for the season before cross country starts in the fall.
"I will likely be running the 5000m or 2 mile at New Balance Nationals in June!"
Later in the morning Hoprich placed 2nd in the 100m, running her seed of 11.99 to claim a silver medal. She backed it up later in the afternoon as she ran a 24.96 to bring home bronze.
"i'm super excited! it was exactly what i wanted to do," Hoprich stated. "Getting 2nd in the 100 was amazing, and going sub-12 again was also great! Going into the 24’s in the 200 again was also awesome! I'm super proud with how i did and I'm so ready for next year!"
"The End! Yet also, the beginning. Piper and Lauren put an exclamation mark on this season," said head coach Elizabeth Hoover. "Last year, their championship run was the perfect culmination of their first year on the varsity track team. I was so proud of all they had accomplished! This year, they had goals! They continuously broke their PR’s and smashed school records! Through the worst weather I have ever seen during a track season, they both dominated in their events. On two beautiful district championship days, Piper and Lauren gave the crowed a glimpse of what was to come. A week later, at the State Championship meet at Shippensburg University, with a record attendance of over 3,000 athletes, they dominated the medal stand. Piper finished second in the 100, and third in the 200. Lauren, once again, crushed her 3200 record by 15 seconds to earn a third place finish. These two will be the ones to watch out for in the next two years. Individually, Piper and Lauren put a stamp on their SOPHOMORE season, gaining recognition from coaches outside the NTL, as well as PIAA officials from Williamsport to Ship. Together, they put Wellsboro Area in the top 10 in the State of Pennsylvania for Track and Field - exclamation mark!"
Ed Weaver is the owner of Circle W Sports in Wellsboro, PA, is the Sports Director for The Home Page Network and the creator of WellsboroAthletics.com and WellsboroFootball.com. You can follow him on Twitter or friend him on Facebook.
