Boardman track standouts competing at nationals

Photo

Neighbors | Submitted.Boardman state qualifer Giovanna Silvestri poses for a photo with her throwing coach Tim Swartz.

Eight members of the Boardman girls’ track and field team have qualified in five different events to the New Balance Outdoor National Championships at North Carolina A&T in Greensboro, N.C., this weekend.

Senior Tori Moore, junior Giovanna Silvestri and freshman Heaton O’Hara have qualified in two events. Senior Lesley Koch, sophomores Nikki Hillard and Emma Schwendeman, and freshmen Regan O’Hara and Jordan Grantonic have each qualified in one event.

Moore and Heaton O’Hara will team with Koch and Hillard in the sprint medley relay. Schwendeman and Regan O’Hara will team with Moore and Heaton O’Hara in the 4x800 relay. Silvestri qualified in both the shot put and discus.

All of these events will compete in the emerging elite division. Grantonic will compete as one of only 30 girls across the country in the freshmen mile.

At the recent state meet, Silvestri placed 15th in the discus, throwing 119-9. It was the first trip to state for the junior, coached by Tim Swartz.