Last Updated: Wed Jul 06, 2022 - 7:06PM
Congratulations to the Hempfield Area boys and girls rifle team and the Spartans competitive spirit team for being recognized as Shining Stars for their championship level accomplishments last winter.
The boys and girls coed rifle team captured their second consecutive WPIAL title and third in the past five seasons in February.
Competing at the Dormont-Mt. Lebanon Sportsmen's Club in Canonsburg, senior Amanda Hardman nailed a perfect score of 100 with 10 center shots to lead the Spartans to the district championship.
Also helping the squad were Lydia Dunn (100-9x), Alexia McCabe (100-9x), Tyler Heatley (100-9x), Seth Maloney (100-8x), Logan McKivens (100-7x), Matt Steiner (100-6x), Paige Roberts (100-6x), Claire Martz (100-6x) and Leah Podlassewski (100-5x).
The Hempfield Area competitive spirit team claimed both WPIAL and PIAA Class 3A titles last winter.
Competing in their home gym, the Spartans won their second straight district title after edging South Fayette by one-tenth of a point in the finals.
A few weeks later, the squad took home the state championship as well, beating out six other teams in the finals for the top spot at the Giant Center in Hershey. Hempfield Area received a final score of 94.2 which was 1.3 points higher than second place Cumberland Valley.
With the Shining Stars recognition, each team will receive $500 to go towards their respective booster organizations courtesy of Smail Kia in Greensburg and the Westmoreland Sports Network.
ABOUT SHINING STARS: Shining Stars is a partnership between Westmoreland Sports Network and Smail Kia in Greensburg to recognize and support Westmoreland County student-athletes whose academics, community and athletic excellence shines the brightest. Two teams will be chosen each season as Shining Stars with each receiving funding to help their booster programs.