Bombers' Hay to attend Penn

Kelsey Hay is well known for her attributes on the basketball court and as a track and field standout at Palmerton Area High School.

Her excellence doesn't stop there, however.

The senior class vice president is ranked No. 2 in her class and keeps academics at the top of her list.

That's why it was no surprise that she signed a letter of intent to further her track and field career and education at the University of Pennsylvania this fall after receiving early admittance in early December.

"I first looked for a great academic institution and that's exactly what I'm going to get at Penn," said Hay. "It's one of the tops in the country when it comes to education.

"Second, came the sport. I like the coach, I fell in love with Franklin Field and I just can't wait pursue both my academic and athletic career there."

The daughter of Milissa and Jim Hay, competes in field events and has qualified for the PIAA Track and Field 2A Championships as a sophomore and a junior and is shooting for a third trip this spring.

Hay finished fifth in the javelin and 10th in the shot put at Shippensburg last year, has captured gold medals at the Colonial League meet in both events as well as a District 11 2A silver medalist in the two also.

Her personal best and school record javelin throw is 134-8 and her best shot put heave is 37 feet 8.5 inches.

"I'll be concentrating mostly on the javelin at Penn, but my coach said I could also try the hammer throw," Hay said, when asked about her future. "That (the hammer) would be a completely different experience for me since it isn't a high school sport."

When Hay looks back at her three previous seasons, despite all of her accomplishments, she said she'll always remember last year's final meet at Northern Lehigh as most memorable.

"It's when I felt I was most comfortable throwing the javelin," she said. "It just flew out of my hand and it felt the best that it ever did."

Hay also considered Lafayette, Lehigh and Bucknell, but having Penn interested in her didn't make it a hard choice.

"Penn contacted Coach (Mike) Gombert back when I was sophomore already," she said. "I didn't think to much of it at the time, but when I looked into it last summer and into my junior year, it was too much to pass up."

Outside of majoring in the sciences, Hay hasn't made up her mind what direction she'll take.

Hay also gives Gombert all of the credit for getting her interested in track and field when she wasn't even considering it her freshman year.

"He's always there cheering me on and is the first one over at my event after the running events are over," she said.

As far as this year goes, Hay would like to hit 140 feet in the javelin, break my own school record and as a team get back to the Colonial League championship, districts and states.

Gombert made it no secret that once she graduates, she'll be missed.

"Her accolades go all the way back to her freshman year," Gombert noted. "She's a three-time Colonial League shot put and javelin champion, numerous district medalist, two-time state qualifier. She is clearly the mainstay for our program. She's the one we count on for the most points.

"Some times it isn't until the person is gone that you think, boy we had a great one there. The younger kids look up to her in all sports."

Hay has worked with Barry Krammes, a world-class javelin thrower, on javelin throwing technique, so Gombert feels that is the event she is most comfortable in.

Gombert is hoping that Hay can bring home some PIAA hardware again from this year's state meet, in not only the javelin, but in the shot put and even the discus.

One thing for sure, a fabulous high school career might be ending, but all eyes are focused on a fine collegiate career next fall at Penn.