Rachael Stepp claims silver in at 400 PIAA track and field championships
Moon's Rachael Stepp returned to the PIAA track and field championships and reached the podium, winning silver in the 400 and seventh in the 200.
SHIPPENSBURG — While Moon Area’s Rachael Stepp put together a strong freshman campaign last season by qualifying for the PIAA track and field championships, now in her sophomore season, she had one goal on her mind. Reach the podium. After qualifying with a pair of the top fastest times in the state in the 200 and 400-meter dashes, Stepp’s podium dreams became a reality, claiming silver in the 3A 400-meter dash and seventh in the 200.
"It is super exciting to be able to reach the podium this season," Stepp said. "The weather is not the greatest, so everyone is not going to run their best times, but it is fun to compete against girls who run the same times as you because it pushes you. " Stepp came into the PIAA championships riding high, running personal bests in both sprint events, posting a 24.
21 in the 200-meter dash and a 54. 93 in the 400, giving her the No. 3 seeds in both events.
The sophomore continued her strong performances at Seth Grove Stadium on May 22-23, running a preliminary time of 55. 05 in the 400. Then in the finals of the 400, Stepp recorded a 56.