Upper St. Clair junior Sadie Tomczyk began running the 100-meter dash by happenstance in seventh grade. Now, she’s already won the race twice in two tries this spring track season.
Tomczyk herself started running distance in fourth grade and “didn’t really like it that much.” She also competed in cheerleading, which conflicted with her meets, so her coach put her in the 100 because it was the first event at the meet.
Now, Tomczyk is a top contender for the WPIAL title in the 100.
“I would say it's just a natural progression,” USC coach Doug Petrick said. “She's been a leader on her team from day one. She's obviously super talented. She's a great role model for some of the younger kids. But no, this is just the next logical step for her.”
Tomczyk posted a personal best time of 12.32 in the WPIAL individual championships last year, which netted her third place. Former South Fayette star Olivia Renk won with a 12.05. Renk is now at Saint Francis.
Tomczyk is coming off an outstanding indoor season, too.
“A lot of times, people focus more on preparing for outdoor,” she said. “I had some solid PRs this indoor season. So it was a confidence builder coming into this outdoor season.”
Tomczyk earned an invite to the New Balance Nationals this winter. Her indoor season also allowed her to add a new weapon to the arsenal.
“[Tomczyk] had a really strong 400. She ran under a minute,” Petrick said.
“It's a bit of an adjustment from the 200,” Tomczyk added. “A much harder race, I think.”
Tomczyk said she had run it a few times before but never really focused on it. This year, she is working to improve her PR in the event, which is currently 59.57. Mackenzie Winning, of North Allegheny, won the WPIAL 400 last year with a time of 56.45.
“The biggest difference is you have to get out strong and maintain it throughout the last 200 meters. Especially the last 150, 100 meters, like the very last stretch,” Tomczyk said. “And then, just keeping my form together and not falling apart.”
This season is especially exciting for Tomczyk because one of her newest teammates is her sister, freshman Sydney Tomczyk.
“It's great,” Sadie Tomczyk said, adding that the two have never been on the same track team. “We're very competitive with each other, but she's starting to run in the hurdles this year. She's working very hard in practice, and it's just a lot of fun to have her on the team with me.”
The Tomczyk sisters aren’t the only threat for the Panthers. Strengthened by Sadie, the 4x100 relay team finished second at the WPIAL championships last year. Senior Noor El Nokali, junior Gigi Burkett and junior Avery Bayer are likely to help propel that squad back to the WPIAL championships. Seniors Meredith Rhodes and Tayla Kurzawa were also key contributors, along with Hannah Randolph, who won the javelin, Petrick added.
Putting on a Scho
“He's a generational talent,” Mohawk track coach Jared Stratton said of senior star Jaxon Schoedel.
Last year, Schoedel won both a WPIAL and state championship in the 3,200, setting the WPIAL record at the individual championships. He also won the WPIAL in the 1600 and just missed the PIAA title, settling for bronze.
This year, he won WPIAL and state titles in cross country. And in this spring track season, he’s won every race he’s entered.
“He's in the discussion as one of the all-time greats in the WPIAL, in my opinion,” Stratton said. “He just keeps going. He studies. He watches. He follows track more than any kid I've ever seen.”
Schoedel is also the type of athlete who makes everyone around him better because of his commitment to his craft and to the process.
“He's made me better,” Stratton said. “I had to get better. I've been a distance coach here almost 10 years now. He's taught me so many things. He makes my younger kids better. I have a really good distance program going right now, and it's a trickle-down effect of what he's done.”
Schoedel, a Penn State recruit, has made his mark beyond Mohawk as well, competing at the Nike Cross Nationals, New Balance Outdoor Nationals and SPIRE Scholastic Showcase.
“There's just nobody that can beat Jaxon right now,” Stratton said. “I have a kid by the name of Scott McConnell, he's a junior. And Scott, in my opinion, might be the second-best distance runner in the history of Mohawk. I keep telling him he's gonna get his time. They're really good friends. They run constantly together. Jaxon has made him better. The trickle-down effect is huge.”
MoreHawk
The Warriors have made a habit of collecting hardware at the WPIAL individual championships. It’s not all Schoedel, either.
Ellie Whippo, a standout senior, is the reigning, defending WPIAL champion in both the 100 and 300 hurdles — and for good reason.
“Ellie's one of the most athletic, special talents I've seen come through Mohawk in my 20 years of being here,” Stratton said. “She's very focused, calm, and natural. She always has a smile on her face, but when she competes, she’s relentless. I’ve seen some great hurdlers in our program, and I’d put her up against any of them.”
What sets Whippo apart is her versatility and work ethic.
“You could put her in five or six other events if you had to — she’s just a pure athlete,” Stratton added.
But her success isn’t just raw talent; it’s also the result of meticulous training and technique.
“It's strength, speed, and really good agility — but rhythm is everything,” Stratton said. “You could be fast, but if your steps are off, it doesn’t matter. Ellie has it all.”
Whippo’s ability to combine speed, precision, and fluidity makes her a rare talent.
“There’s so much more to hurdling than people realize,” Stratton said. “Ellie makes it look easy, but it’s way more complicated than just running fast.”
With her focus and natural ability, Whippo is poised for another dominant season as she defends her WPIAL crowns and works to leave her mark as one of Mohawk’s all-time greats.
First Published: April 3, 2025, 8:00 a.m.
