District stage helps Ella Ahner find the spotlight

By Mike Drago Last updated May 22, 2022

Track & Field coverage presented by ATT Sports, Inc.

By Jason Guarente — MikeDragoSports.com senior correspondent

SHIPPENSBURG — Something about this big stage brings out the best in Ella Ahner. The bright skies, the cheering crowd and the tougher competition help her find a little bit more.

In this case, they helped Ahner change her outlook for the entire season. From disappointment to excitement in a flash.

Ahner won the Class 2A 100 and 200 and placed third in the 400 at the District 3 Track and Field Championships at Seth Grove Stadium Saturday. It was a major turnaround from the previous week.

“I honestly don’t know what happened,” Ahner said. “I felt the energy. There are so many quality athletes who are trying their best. It’s always so inspiring. It makes me want to work hard. It motivates me to go faster.”

Tulpehocken’s senior wasn’t happy with her results at the Firing Meet and went searching for answers. She wound up discovering more gold.

Tulpehocken’s Ella Ahner (District 3 photo)

Ahner ran the 100 in 12.97 and placed seventh in the county. Her times had consistently lagged behind last season’s with a season best that was 0.27 seconds off her PR.

Before she could cross the line first, Ahner had to go back to the beginning. She knew that was the source of her problems.

“I went home and I worked on my block starts,” she said. “That’s where I was struggling. It really pushed me this week leading up to districts.”

Ahner lowered her 100 time to 12.53 and edged Wyomissing’s Alexis Hardy, the Berks champion. It was a new personal best for the Tulpehocken standout, who ran a 12.55 at states last May.

The Class 2A sprints were a rematch for many of the county’s best. Schuylkill Valley’s Madison Ziska followed Ahner and Hardy in third place.

Ziska and Ahner have developed a friendly rivalry that dates back years.

“She has been my competition all throughout high school,” Ziska said. “We’ve become close actually. She has always been there to help push me and I’ve helped push her. It’s nice having that person right next to you to get you better.”

Ahner completed the sweep by finishing the 200 in 26.13 to hold off Ziska by 0.18 seconds. Berks finished 1-2-3 in both short sprints. Ahner appreciated the competition.

“They’re such great people on and off the track,” she said. “They’re going through the same things as me. Going through the nerves before the race. Having the pressure of being the top seed. It’s been great having those kinds of people around me.”

Ahner entered the weekend concerned about qualifying for states. She left with another pair of first-place finishes.

This venue has become a special place for her.

“It’s pretty amazing,” Ahner said. “Especially coming from a small school, this is a big achievement. I have so many people who are pushing me and who are proud of me. It’s really great.”

Other notable Berks results from Saturday:

Schuylkill Valley’s Madison Ziska finished second in the 200 and third in the 100 to go with her gold medal in the long jump Friday.
Wilson’s Katie Dallas earned her second Class 3A gold medal in the 800. The senior finished in 2:15.82. Exeter’s Gabrielle Keith was third at 2:17.15.
Wyomissing’s 400 relay won Class 2A after finishing in 50.01. Camille Berger, Alexis Hardy, Jabrea Flowers and Emily Cassler were the team members.
Wyomissing’s Cadi Hoke took first place in the Class 2A 400. Hoke finished in 59.79 and was the only runner to break one minute.
Schuylkill Valley’s Emma Deyarmin captured her second gold. Deyarmin hit 34-10.75 to win the Class 2A shot put after taking first in the discus Friday.