Paige Kassab is not satisfied.
Well, let’s rephrase that. Paige Kassab, from her perspective as a recent grad, looks back on her four years with the Meadville High track and field team with intense fondness.
“Oh definitely,” she said. “I’m very pleased with it. And it’s great knowing that in my fourth year that I (set personal records) in everything, that I worked my way up to that level. It’s nice to see that I improved.”
But see, that last bit is where a hint of dissatisfaction creeps in. It has something to do with her inner competitiveness. It’s why she is so good at what she does out on the track. And it’s why she is The Meadville Tribune’s Track and Field Athlete of the Year for the third straight season.
Kassab’s career was, in a word, outstanding. The jumping/hurdling specialist had one of the most decorated high school runs that Meadville has seen in years. We’re talking three state medals, five District 10 titles, and 16 total medals at districts; not to mention a whole mess of dual meet and invitational wins.
“I think she scored over 1,000 points in four years for us,” Meadville head track and field coach Carl Roznowski said. “It was very exciting to have her. She is definitely going to be missed next year.”
Yet, when you talk to Kassab about her accomplishments, she’s polite, but she’s also like, ‘eh.’
“I mean, you will always say that you can do better,” she said. “I have really high expectations for myself. No matter what, every meet I could have done better. It’s not that I take anything for granted. I was lucky enough to get the marks I did get. I’m so pleased with everything. To get medals at states is very rare for anyone.”
She’s talking about this past May, when she took third in the high jump at the PIAA Class AAA Track and Field Championships with a jump of 5-foot-6, and was sixth in the triple jump with a distance of 37-1.25.
Now, that’s two state medals, which is fantastic. But neither of those marks was a personal best. And that’s what seems to be bothering her.
“It’s nice knowing that I didn’t do my best but still got a chance to medal,” she said. “That, I guess, shows how good of an athlete you are and that you can still do better.”
This whole “getting better” kick that Kassab is on seems to have been with her for awhile. But the former swimmer didn’t devote it toward track and field until 8th grade, shortly after moving to town from her previous home in West Virginia.
“Starting off as a freshman, you could see a young girl that had ambitions,” said Roznowski. “She had a good work ethic. And you could tell that there was something special. At an early age it’s sometimes very difficult to notice, but you could see there was something there.”
That became obvious to everyone come the 2009 District 10 meet, where the then-freshman Kassab notched four district medals, including the title in the high jump.
And from there the high bar inched higher, the tape rolled out further across the sand pit, and the times steadily dropped in the hurdles.
Finally, in her senior year she was knocking down some terrific PRs, such as in the high jump (5-7), the 100 hurdles (15.92 seconds), the long jump (17-3.5) and the triple jump (38-3).
Great, right?
Well, as far as Kassab is concerned, there’s always room for improvement.
“That’s what keeps me going,” she said. “Go to a meet, know you could have done better, go to practice the next day and work even harder. It keeps me motivated.”
Kassab has a very good opportunity to keep stepping her game up as she moves on to Slippery Rock University to continue her career in track and field.
“I’m going to be multi,” she said, meaning she’ll be training to compete in the heptathlon. “I’ll be doing seven events at every meet. It’s fun. I’ll have some throwing events to work on, even though I’ve never thrown before.”
Throwing events?
“Javelin and shot put, which I’ll have to learn,” she said. “It will be interesting. I’m excited to try something new. I’ll do whatever they want. I’m just glad to have the opportunity.”
Just more things for Kassab to get better at.
“I wish her the best of luck at Slippery Rock,” said Roznowski. “I know she’s not going to disappoint the coaches over there.”
Local Sports
Kassab still looking to improve after record-breaking season
- Local Sports
-
-
CRAWFORD CUP: Country Club men, Venango Valley women lead after first round
It was hard to complain about the weather on Sunday. But there weren’t very many nice things said about the numbers on the scorecards during the opening round of the 21st annual Crawford Cup golf tournament held at Whispering Pines Golf Course.
-
No Triple Crown: Oxbow upsets Orb at Preakness
Right from the start, a horse trained by one not so over-the-hill Hall of Famer and ridden by another took control of the Preakness. The result: a huge upset and the end of any hopes for a Triple Crown attempt at the Belmont Stakes.
-
H.S. BASEBALL: Rockets too much for Bulldogs in season finale
TITUSVILLE — Year one of the Bruce Stewart era as the Meadville baseball head coach is officially in the books. Unfortunately it came with a defeat to the hands of Titusville. The Bulldogs committed three errors and allowed five unearned runs to cross the plate in a 7-3 loss at the Ed Myer Recreation Complex on Friday.
-
H.S. BOYS VOLLEYBALL: Cards clinch No. 2 spot for D-10 tourney
It took them until the final day of the regular season, but the Cochranton boys volleyball team now knows where they stand for next week’s Class AA District 10 playoffs.
-
H.S. TRACK & FIELD: Sternby runs away with gold at D-10 meet
HARBORCREEK — It was sweet redemption for Meadville’s Heather Sternby during Wednesday’s Class AAA District 10 Track and Field meet at Harbor Creek High School’s Paul J. Weitz Stadium.
After falling in the 100-meter dash to Grove City’s Courtney Corbin in last year’s meet by .09 seconds, Sternby got her revenge by defeating Corbin by .10 seconds in this year’s event. -
H.S. SOFTBALL: Two-run sixth lifts Saegertown in Region 3 battle
With the playoffs looming, Saegertown head softball coach Mark McKissock hoped to get his girls an early taste of that intense postseason atmosphere.
-
TRACK AND FIELD: ’Dogs prepare for districts
It’s amazing how much difference a year can make. Last year at this time, the Meadville girls track and field team was the Region 3 champion and a serious contender to dethrone Grove City as the District 10 Class AAA champion.
-
H.S. BASEBALL: Saegertown rolls to sweep of Conneaut
Nothing could get in the way of the Saegertown baseball team picking up a pair of wins on Friday. Not even Mother Nature. With a dark cloud hanging over Ed Acker Field, the Panthers made quick work of Conneaut with a run-shortened 12-0 and 11-1 win in non-region play.
-
H.S. Baseball: Mother Nature interrupts Conneaut winning streak
Most years the most devastating opposition for area softball and baseball teams is old Mother Nature.
This year has been no different. The wrath, however, has been a little less traumatic. -
H.S. TRACK & FIELD: ’Dogs close regular season with sweep
The Meadville track and field team ended the season with a bang on senior day and will be rolling into next week’s District 10 Class AAA Championships at Harbor Creek High School after sweeping Central Tech on Thursday at the Barco-Duratz Athletic Complex.
The boys (1-5) delivered a nail-biting 75-70 win, giving them their first win of the season, while the girls (3-3) cruised to a 120-26 victory. - More Local Sports Headlines
-
CRAWFORD CUP: Country Club men, Venango Valley women lead after first round
Raw: Rescue Workers Search Oklahoma School
Raw: Witness Describes Scene After Okla. Tornado
Raw: Aftermath of Massive Tornado in Oklahoma
Raw: House Burns After Massive Oklahoma Tornado
Raw: Tornado on the Ground in Oklahoma
Split-second Choice Ended With NY Student Dead
White House Backs 'Shield Law' for Media
Wave of Attacks Kills Scores in Iraq
Pug Life on Display at Wisconsin Festival
Company Promises to Make All Snail Mail Digital
Analyst: Tumblr Fills Void in Yahoo's Offerings
Commuters Face Delays After Conn. Train Accident
Raw: Swarm of Tornadoes Slams Plains
Raw: Fierce Bombing in Qusair, Syria
RAW: TV Staff Take Cover From Tornado
Raw: Accused US Spy Reportedly Leaves Russia
AP CEO: Records Seizure 'Unconstitutional'
Fatal Hot Air Balloon Accident in Turkey
Tornadoes, Storms Strike Midwest
'Babyland': Camp Lejeune's Toxic Legacy?
