Name: McKayla Lally
High school: Pine Grove
Grade: 10
Sport: Track and field
Accomplishments: Broke meet records in the 400 meters (1:01.35) and 300 hurdles (47.85 seconds) during the Pine Grove Invitational last Friday. Also won 1,600 relay with Nilitza Malave, Rachel Edge and Maddie Frew in 4:17.30
Other sports at Pine Grove: Cross country and volleyball
Age: 16
Hometown: Pine Grove
Family: Patrick (father), Maria (mother), Patrick (brother), Morgan (sister)
Athletes I admire: Allyson Felix (sprinter from United States, won gold medals in 200, 400 relay and 1,600 relay at 2012 Olympics in London)
Favorite sports teams: Philadelphia Eagles, Oregon Ducks
What age did you start track and field: 6
Favorite part about track and field: “That it is an individual sport. It is just you and you have to worry about yourself. You can’t make up your time. Your times tell you how you did.”
Why is the 400 your favorite event: “Cross country also helps with that because you need a lot of endurance for it. I can handle that well.”
What events are you planning to compete in during the postseason: 400, 400 relay, 1,600 relay, hopefully 300 hurdles
Did your performance in 300 hurdles last Friday (third time running it all year) make you want to compete in the event during the postseason: “I definitely want to practice that more, now that that was my time. I was very happy with what I did Friday.”
What was it like competing at the Penn Relays (took part last Thursday in 400 relay and 1,600 relay with Malave, Edge and Frew): “It was so overwhelming. The stadium (Franklin Field in Philadelphia) was huge and the people really pump you up. Your adrenaline was flowing. It was such an awesome experience.”
Individual goals for this season: “I definitely want to keep doing well in the 400. My goal would be to break a minute in the 400 and hopefully go to states this year.”
Post-graduation plans: “A goal would be to run in college. I am thinking about majoring in the medical field.”
Past winners
• March 31 — Sara Tobin, Pottsville, softball
• April 6 — Rayan Green, Jim Thorpe, track and field
• April 14 — Ryan Fink, Schuylkill Haven, baseball
• April 21 — Mackenzie Hasenauer, Pine Grove, softball