Aces shine as indoor track season closes with state, national honors

The spring high school track season may just be getting started, but the indoor season has come to a close. And in Lower Merion, there was much to celebrate. 

Lower Merion High School’s girls’ indoor track and field team “put together a tremendous postseason, turning in standout performances at the state and national levels, earning All-American honors and continuing to rewrite the program record books,” said a release from the district on April 17.

The following information was submitted directly from the district via a press release:

PIAA State Championships

At the PIAA State Championships, junior Viola Wilent earned a bronze medal in the pole vault by clearing 12 feet, while junior Paige Evans placed fifth in the 400 meters with a time of 57.13.

The Aces also turned in strong relay performances, as Wilent and Evans teamed with junior Alexa Weatherwax and sophomore Kianna Else in the 4×200 relay, which finished in 1:45.55, before the junior duo joined freshmen Lucy Roper and Anna Gilboy in a season-best 4×400 relay that clocked in at 4:02.65.

New Balance Nationals

The Aces built on their state success at the New Balance Indoor National Championships in Boston with another series of standout performances. Wilent placed fourth overall in the pole vault with a leap of 13 feet, 4 1/4 inches, setting a new school record and earning All-American status.

Evans competed in both the 400 and 800 meters, posting times of 57.03 and 2:16.40, with her 800 performance setting a new school record. (Earlier in the season, Evans also set the school record in the 400 meters with a time of 56.47.)

The 4×200 relay team of Wilent, Evans, Else and Weatherwax ran 1:45.10, the fifth-fastest time in school history, while Wilent, Evans, Gilboy and junior Maya Zahavy posted 4:02.84 in the 4×400 relay, the third-fastest mark in school history, with Evans running the fastest split ever by a Lower Merion athlete.

Adidas Nationals

The Aces also excelled at Adidas Nationals, where Wilent earned her second All-American distinction by placing fifth overall in the pentathlon with 2,979 points.

Else ran a season-best 8.19 in the 60-meter dash, while freshmen Lucy Roper, Anna Gilboy, Imogen Roper and Fiona Pearsall all gained valuable national-level experience in their respective events.

Congratulations to the entire team and coaches on an outstanding indoor season filled with medals, records, accolades, national qualifiers and unforgettable performances. The future is clearly bright for LMHS girls track and field!