SALAMANCA — She’s been a constant for the Salamanca girls track and field team for years, particularly in the pole vault. Now it’s Mushirah Sheppard’s time to close out her high school career as a senior.
Sheppard has qualified for the NYSPHSAA championships three times in the pole vault and holds the school record in the event at 11 feet. She’s one of four seniors on the team, along with throwers Lauren Stoltz and Jerica Sherlock and a senior rookie, Kiona Welch.
“She has been a joy to coach and looking to finish out her SHS career with setting goals to return to the states and improve on her own mark,” Warriors coach Laurie Lafferty-John said.
In total, Salamanca has 31 varsity girls.
“We are pleased with the overall look of our team this season,” Lafferty-John said. “We are going to have some challenges ahead of us as a team but overall the commitment and attitude of these girls have inspired us as a coaching staff. We have some older rookies that we are thrilled about and are looking to develop quickly.”
Juniors include Aly Hill and Holly McGonigle.
“Aly Hill will be one of the team’s best sprinters and she also excels at triple jump for us,” Lafferty-John said. “She Is a strong team leader and someone the team can depend on. Holly McGonigle is the team’s top thrower and works so hard at mastering her events. She is a joy to coach and already having a great season.”
Jayla Rasha, Ryleigh John, Hayli Wilson and Jaeden Hubbard are all expected to make an impact on the team as sophomores.
“(Rasha) earned the nickname ‘the finisher’ last season,” Lafferty-John said. “She embraces the 400 sprint, which is hard to get a kid to do these days and she just showed she had the ‘refuse to lose’ mindset and it was a big inspiration. She has battled some injuries and is just returning to the track.
“(Ryleigh John) is the team’s top distance runner. Ryleigh has unlimited potential and we want her to realize her abilities. I have watched her race with determination and purpose and she is hard to beat. Hayli Wilson is a two-year veteran and has been a nice surprise last with her determination and desire to train. She has not disappointed this year she has attended every practice and is a diligent worker. Jaeden Hubbard returned from Catt-LV and we have been incredibly pleased with her commitment to our team. She is a utility player — she can jump throw and run and has shown how valuable she is to our lineup.”
Meanwhile, freshman Jem Yarbour has proved to be a point-getter from the 100 hurdles to the mile while Jillian Rae “shows promise” in the throws.
Eighth graders Leann Smith and Harley Brown bring versatility and depth to the team.
“Brown will go anywhere we ask her and never blinks an eye. She is just a gritty kid,” Lafferty-John noted. “Seventh grader Dakota Familo is a budding star. She has natural strength and speed and is already earning team points. We are trying to get her consistent and confident is what she has the ability to do. She has the strength to run the longer sprints and be a force.”
By the end of the year, Lafferty-John hopes Sheppard will have some company when the season turns to the sectional championships.
“Our goal as a coaching staff is to qualify more than one girl to compete at the sectional level,” Lafferty-John said. “Every year that becomes more challenging. We want to find some team success in dual meets this year.”
Lafferty-John added she “definitely” thinks the Warriors are stronger as a team than last year.
“We want to develop a mentality of toughness in our kids that teaches them to not shy away from tough competition or events that create fatigue,” she said. “We want them to be able to mentally prepare for these circumstances and be able to look back on it and gain confidence at whatever comes their way. Whether is be on the track or in the field or in life.”
