Leah hurdles to the college track

Senior Leah Bergey has played the striker position in soccer for eight years and has run the 100-meter hurdles, and 300-meter hurdles, high jump, 4×400 meter relay and 4×100 meter relay in Track and Field since freshman year.

According to Leah, she started playing these sports because her parents encouraged her, and she continued to play because she likes it.

“It’s just something I enjoy doing,” Leah said. Her mom influenced her to play soccer, and her uncle, Assistant Principal Mr. Michael Bergey, encouraged her to run Track and Field, she added.

At the PIAA State Championships at Shippensburg, Leah said she received a medal for sophomore. The girl’s soccer team won two District games last year making it to the semifinals.

Leah said sports help her with communication skills. “They help a lot with teamwork and just being able to work with other people,” she added.

According to Leah, her favorite memories of playing sports are getting to mess around with her teammates and spend time with her friends she said. The toughest thing she had to overcome was when she false-started in the 100-meter hurdles during District semifinals, she added that it made her more excited to prove herself for the next Track and Field season.

“Usually I just have to get in the right mindset, so I’ll just listen to music or do something that gets me focused on the game or running,” Leah said.

Leah said she does not know what college she wants to attend yet, but she plans to major in Business or Human Resources. After high school, Leah added she hopes to further her Track and Field career in college.

Leah said several colleges have contacted her for the 100-meter hurdles, 300-meter hurdles, and heptathlon, which is an athletic contest in seven different Track and Field events.

“Leah Bergey is an incredible athlete who has worked very hard in both soccer and Track and Field to be the best that she can be,” said Athletic Director Mr. Rod Harris.

According to Mr. Harris, Leah broke the girl’s Track and Field school records for 100-meter high hurdles, 300-meter hurdles, and the 4×400 meter relay record, which she broke with her running mates Olivia Beaver, Katelyn Zimmerman, and Kylie Roup. Leah added that she broke every freshmen and sophomore class record for both hurdles and high jump.

“She doesn’t allow failure to be an option and she’s willing to embrace and push through all of the tough times that she has to endure along the way,” said Mr.Harris.