Sports
- Last Updated on Friday, 01 March 2013 03:26
By Paul Chasko
Ringgold Sophomore Kirsten McMichael and her mother, Ringgold Coach Jennifer McMichael, recently received awards from Chatham University.
Ringgold Sophomore Kirsten McMichael and her mother, Ringgold Coach Jennifer McMichael, recently received awards from Chatham University.
.jpg) Kirsten McMichael (Ringgold) and her mother, Coach Jennifer McMichael (facing camera at far right), by Chatham University. Other honorees are Jordon Bushaus (Hampton High School), Julia Hartz (Penn-Trafford High School), Angela Heintz (Seton LaSalle High School), and Rachael Bionski (Carlow University).
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On February 8, at Chatham University’s Annual National Girls and Women in Sports Day Celebration, Kirsten McMichael received the Patience Blayden Spirit of Sports Award in the high school sophomore category. The award recognizes the accomplishments of regional female high school and college students making positive contributions in the classroom, on the playing field, and in the community. Jennifer McMichael Received the Outstanding Coach Award, which honors a coach who positively affects her school and athletes’ experiences. This was the first mother-daughter duo to be honored at Chatham’s annual event.
Kirsten has medaled in numerous events in cross-country, indoor track, and outdoor track while taking all advanced classes and maintaining a 4.0 GPA. She is currently ranked number one in her class. She devotes much of her free time to the community, serving the Salvation Army, Humane Society, and running a two-week, cross-country camp for middle school and high school students. She is team captain in all three sports and has lettered in every sport season. Last year, she was the Washington County Champion, Mingo Classic Champion, a Tri State medalist, a WPIAL medalist, and a PIAA state qualifier in cross-country. In indoor track, she qualified for and medaled in the Tri-State Track and Field Coaches Association Championships in the mile and 3,000 meter runs. She was overall champion in many races in the 1600 meter and 3200 meter runs.
Jennifer McMichael has been coaching at Ringgold for 13 years. She started as the assistant boys/girls coach for outdoor track and went on to found the middle school cross-country program, offering her time as head coach. The middle school feeder program significantly strengthened the varsity cross-country program. For years, Jennifer worked to establish an indoor track and field team, again volunteering her time taking athletes to indoor meets until she succeeded in the program’s implementation four years ago. She has since taken on the position of varsity head cross-country, indoor track, and outdoor track and field coordinator. In her second year as head coach of these teams, Jennifer has had three state qualifiers and more than two dozen school records. Her success in recruiting student athletes into her programs has resulted in team growth of at least 50%, and the indoor track team has increased by 100%.
Kirsten has medaled in numerous events in cross-country, indoor track, and outdoor track while taking all advanced classes and maintaining a 4.0 GPA. She is currently ranked number one in her class. She devotes much of her free time to the community, serving the Salvation Army, Humane Society, and running a two-week, cross-country camp for middle school and high school students. She is team captain in all three sports and has lettered in every sport season. Last year, she was the Washington County Champion, Mingo Classic Champion, a Tri State medalist, a WPIAL medalist, and a PIAA state qualifier in cross-country. In indoor track, she qualified for and medaled in the Tri-State Track and Field Coaches Association Championships in the mile and 3,000 meter runs. She was overall champion in many races in the 1600 meter and 3200 meter runs.
Jennifer McMichael has been coaching at Ringgold for 13 years. She started as the assistant boys/girls coach for outdoor track and went on to found the middle school cross-country program, offering her time as head coach. The middle school feeder program significantly strengthened the varsity cross-country program. For years, Jennifer worked to establish an indoor track and field team, again volunteering her time taking athletes to indoor meets until she succeeded in the program’s implementation four years ago. She has since taken on the position of varsity head cross-country, indoor track, and outdoor track and field coordinator. In her second year as head coach of these teams, Jennifer has had three state qualifiers and more than two dozen school records. Her success in recruiting student athletes into her programs has resulted in team growth of at least 50%, and the indoor track team has increased by 100%.
