Spring sports at Hempfield Area High School has recently been the most successful season of all. On the diamond, baseball and softball have their sights on returning back to the playoffs and competing for another WPIAL and state championship. Teams like boys volleyball and both girls and boys lacrosse plan to improve on their season from last year with an even more experienced roster. Boys tennis makes an amazing comeback with over 18 students rostered, and track & field looks to have some more representatives at the WPIALs and state meets and defeat their biggest rivals. The clay shooting team hopes to continue their success from their fall rifle season.
Winning is nothing new for baseball and softball, as both teams are hungry for the taste of victory again. After both teams had a disappointing loss in the playoffs last season, and multiple starters graduating, the two teams hope that their young rosters can rise to the expectation of previous achievements.
Boys volleyball had a disappointing first round loss last year; however, the returning juniors and seniors have intentions on improving from their playoff clinching regular season performance from last year.
Experience matters, and that is what half the spring sport teams are counting on in order to excel. The senior class for the boys and girls lacrosse team is very strong, where most players have varsity experiences. Boys varsity captain Maddyn Bompiani feels as though the team’s experience and chemistry will help them go back to the playoffs after missing them last year. He says, “last year we were such a young team with only four seniors. So the class of 25’ and 26’ grew up together, and it put us in a place where we’re all comfortable with each other.”
The track and field program is another program rich in history and always has the expectations for success. With a multitude of WPIAL and state champions, greatness is the standard that is set by Legendary Coach Wilson. Not only for the individual competitions, but team accomplishments are just as important as individual awards. Everyday, Coach Wilson wears a shirt that says, “Did I do enough today to beat Norwin.” This push for excellence to defeat their biggest rival is what drives their athletes and coaches alike to achieve. The track and field team hasn’t defeated Norwin in a couple of years, but plans to use that chip on their shoulder to succumb to victory in 2025.
With the worries of not having a team this year, boys tennis will have another season. The resurgence of the boys tennis team has caught the attention of 18 boys who all signed up to play on the concrete. The 2025 season is set to be an exciting one.
After multiple shooters were podium finishers in the fall, the rifle team hopes to continue their success in the spring. Last fall, the team itself placed second in the conference. In the individual competitions, the girls team had a first and third place finisher, while the boys team had a third place finisher. Coach Ronald believes the team is set for a great spring season. “Going off of the fall season results, we have a very promising spring coming up. I just want this to be a great experience for all the shooters and hope some of the younger teammates can learn from some of the more experienced shooters.”
The spring sporting season is shaking up to be an exciting one!
