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SISTER ACT: Sanders sisters fill distance hole and give Williamsport a boost

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Williamsport's Isabelle Sanders competes in the girl's 1600 meter run during the Lock Haven Invitational track meet at Hubert H Jack Stadium in Lock Haven on Friday, April 26, 2024.

For the past few seasons, one of the bigger weak points for Williamsport girls track and field has been distance. But with its current group of underclassmen, that seems to no longer be the case.

Freshmen Isabelle and Madeline Sanders have impressed from the get-go, transforming Williamsport’s distance team into one of the best in the district. As it stands, the twin sisters already approach program history in their own right.

In a district as competitive as District 4, having the potential to put up points in the 800, 1,600 and 3,200 could certainly play a role in the Millionaires competing for a district title. And with fellow freshmen long distance runners Clara Wade and Johanna Pelly steadily climbing the leaderboards as well, this distance room is one to keep an eye on moving forward.

“For the past couple of years, it’s been my weaker spot so having (the Sanders sisters) come on board is huge, and Clara and Johanna Pelly,” said Williamsport girls coach Vicki Eberhart. “Just having a strong distance crew has really helped even out the whole team overall.”

“It feels really good,” said Isabelle Sanders on their immediate impact. “I’m just so glad that we get to benefit the team, especially since for a couple year, we haven’t had very many distance runners.”

Building off strong cross country and indoor seasons, the pair have their respective strong suits.

For Isabelle, she’s made the biggest impact in the 800 and 1,600, the latter of which she’s alarmingly close to breaking the record in as May begins. With a .65 second drop in her 1,600time, which sits at 5:08.64, she would stand as the best one-miler in Williamsport history, breaking Kathy Wurster’s record of 5:08 set in 1988.

“I’ve got to give a lot of credit, especially to my coach, Coach Vicki, my grandfather and mother,” said Sanders on already being so close to history. “They’ve helped me train a lot and gave me tips on what running should be like.”

I’m very happy and excited about that,” said Eberhart on her progress, following her most recent PR at the Lock Haven High School Classic. “Just last week, she went 5:09 so that’s another huge PR and just one step closer.”

The one athlete standing in her way of two top district times in the 800 – where she runs a 2:23.90 – and the 1600 is fellow area underclassman and Lewisburg sophomore Baylee Espinosa, who also happens to sit dangerously close to her respective program record in the 1600. They could look to battle it out at districts.

For Madeline, her strong suits are the 1,600 and 3,200. She’s steadily approaching the program record in the 3200, coming within 25 seconds of it with her 11:34.86 PR at the Bald Eagle Invite. And in the 1,600, she’s less 11 seconds behind her sister.

“Strategy is a big part of it,” said Sanders when discussing her success. “Staying mentally engaged is really important too, especially for the 32 because it’s so much longer. Like if the person in front of you isn’t super focused, once you pass them, they’ll just fall off.”

Strategy and focus play a large role in distance, a fact that both sisters heavily emphasized. Whether it be advice from their mother, former junior Olympian Christine Sanders, or their grandfather, coaches or other athletes, they’ve put that advice into practice, and it’s paid off to say the least.

“Strategy, a lot, especially for the 1,600,” said Isabelle. “Just making sure you’re engaged the entire race because if you’re not, then you won’t drop time. You have to go into the race knowing what you’re going to be doing before you get there.”

“Our mother was a junior Olympian, so she sends a lot of her strategy down to us,” said Madeline. “We use a lot of different platforms and advice from other runners, especially picking up during the last 500 of the mile instead of waiting till the last 200 like most people do. It helps get ahead of a lot of them.”

Another key to success has simply been each other. Having a sister that runs the same events at similar speeds has been hugely beneficial for both athletes, especially for the offseason when practice is no longer taking place.

“Being able to race together as training partners is incredible,” said Isabelle on getting to train alongside Madeline.

“It’s actually a huge benefit,” said Madeline on the dynamic. “It’s really helpful to have someone that is around your time just to get in day-to-day practice, especially over the summer. There aren’t always people practice with you, so it’s good to have her around.”

It’s a dynamic that should continue to fuel the pair and Williamsport’s distance core for years to come, as the sisters compete for program records and continue to build off each other. For now, the focus is continuing to improve, as they pursue a trip to Shippensburg.

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