Brownsville building from solid foundation
Even though Brownsville girls track coach Brian Nicholson has only five returning letter-winners among the 21 members of his team, one competed in three events at the PIAA championships last year, while another made it to the second day of the WPIAL qualifiers. “We obviously don’t have a lot of numbers and we’re competing against schools who have more than 40 girls,” Nicholson noted, “and in dual meets our girls are forced to compete in four events while girls from other teams have to participate in only three. It becomes a fatigue factor. Our team is young but clicking together. They work well together, and our girls with experience are dedicated and helping motivate the younger girls. We have a strong foundation and we are building on it.”
Helping pave that foundation is a pair of seniors with different stories to tell.
Lisa Fraley made it to the second day of the WPIAL Class AA qualifiers in the high jump last year, qualifying with a leap of 5-0. She improved to 5-2 the second day but, unfortunately for Fraley, the bar was raised to 5-3 and she narrowly missed going to states. Competing in the high jump, long jump and triple jump, the high and triple are her best events.
“At the qualifier she saw what she is capable of doing and that has motivated her,” said Nicholson, adding that Fraley is also a high honors student involved in numerous school activities. “Last year was actually her first year of jumping and she excelled in the high- and triple-jumps. Since then she has obtained workout and training videos and has been working out on her own. She is obviously dedicated and does her own strength training. She can make it back to the qualifier this year, perhaps farther.”
Also competing in her senior season is America Cardine, who lives in the Brownsville School District but is home-schooled via cyber school, Nicholson noted. Cardine went to the PIAA championships in the long jump, 100-meter (higher) hurdles and 200-meter (lower) hurdles. She narrowly missed qualifying for the second day of the state finals in the 100 hurdles.
“America is a conscientious, dedicated athlete,” Nicholson said. “She is powerful and works hard. She benefits from a year-round training program. She is building on what she accomplished last year.”
Brownsville has a pair of junior letter-winners in Amber Fabian and Erika Coffey.
Fabian competes in the long jump, high jump, 100-, 200- and 400-meter runs, and advanced to the WPIAL qualifier as a sophomore. “What she has accomplished is all the more remarkable,” noted Nicholson, “in that she has been diagnosed with diabetes. She has it under control, but we keep a close eye on her. Amber is a strong, powerful girl with good leg speed and she is able to run down other runners.
Although Coffey is looking forward to her first appearance in the WPIAL championships, she has already experienced the thrill of competing for the PIAA title – in cross-country, where she advanced to the statewide competition in her freshman, sophomore and junior years. Coffey has competed in five events, the two-mile, one-mile, 800-meters, 400-meters and 200-meters.
“She is incredible, especially for her size,” Nicholson said, noting that Coffey stands a “tiny” 5-2. “She is extremely deceptive for how quick she is. Her endurance is exceptional. She can run the 200-meters and not be out of breath, and turn around and do the 400-meters. Erika is a competitor and does everything we ask.”
Betsy Johnson is Brownsville’s lone sophomore letter-winner. Her best event, Nicholson noted, is the two-mile, but she also competes in the 800-meters and 4-by-800-meters relay team. At 5-11, Johnson is easy to spot on the track.
“She is young and still learning what she is capable of accomplishing,” Nicholson said, adding that Johnson also stands tall in the classroom with her academic standing, “and she will get there. She is dedicated, motivated and enthusiastic. She is great for team morale; she keeps everyone up. She is fun to have on the team.”
Despite limited numbers and no home track, Nicholson is “excited about the season. We have a good group of kids who listen, who are willing to train and improve, and who are motivated and enthusiastic.”