SHIPPENSBURG — In the very first year of Warren’s Unified track and field program, the Dragons did nothing but impress and meet any expectations they or their coaches had for them. Getting the program off the ground was the initial step, but Coach Cayla Onoratti was the catalyst that enabled these student-athletes to set their sights on success.

Over the weekend, the Dragons competed at the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association Unified Track and Field Championships at Shippensburg University and came home with a ninth-place team finish, along with many great individual finishes in their respective events.

“We kicked off the competition on Friday with field events,” stated Coach Onoratti. “We had a strong performance off the track, putting our team into fourth place after day one after four first-place and one second-place finishers. The track event competition was strong, challenging our kids to put up a personal best on a cold, rainy day. Overall, we had a great experience at the state level. I am very proud of these kids for working hard this season to get us to the state level. This experience was unforgettable and will give them motivation to keep working hard for years to come. Unfortunately, all of our events were completed in the rain, with running events being very cold and wet on Saturday. Despite the weather, everyone put forth great effort with smiles on their faces.”

Earning first-place finishes in their events were: Isaac Hammerbeck (turbo javelin), Keely Southworth (shot put), Noel Ireland (shot put), and either Peyton Vincent or Eliana Retterer (long jump results have not been made official). Ryder Check earned a second-place finish in the turbo javelin and Hemi Baran finished third in the 400 meters.

“What a great inaugural season,” added Onoratti. “We came off of a strong bocce season, making the playoffs for the first time. We kept that energy going with the hopes of making a strong run in track and we did just that. It’s such an accomplishment to say that Warren Unified track placed ninth in the nearly 150 Unified track teams across Pennsylvania. I am so proud of our team and am looking forward to continuing our program for years to come.”