Kathryn (Katie) Urbine '23 Recruiting Profile

Over the past couple of years, I have gained a strong interest in the science and engineering fields.  I especially enjoy chemistry, physics and math.   I want to attend a school that will challenge me and prepare me for my career path, and also allow me to grow as a young adult socially, academically and athletically.  I have always achieved straight As and plan to continue this trend in college, as my academics are very important to me.   I am in the gifted extensions program for my school district and President of the National Honor Society.  I earned  the 4.0 Academic Achievement Award every year, and was also awarded the Solanco High School Science Scholar of the Year 2020 and 2022.

I was level 10 competitive gymnast,  and over the  past 10 years have trained hard, laying the foundation for my current track and field success, especially pole vaulting.   I have made the decision this year to focus most of my training on pole vaulting and sprinting, as it is my passion and desire to compete in college.   

I have loved track and field since I was able to participate in 7th grade.  My strengths are in speed and power.  Because of Covid, my freshman year outdoor track season was cancelled.  I was very excited to finally have the opportunity to compete and develop a meaningful track record .   Since June of 2019, I have been training pole vault with Coach Brian Mondschein at Philly Jumps Club.   My first competitions were with the indoor track team in 2020.  In the spring of 2021, I was finally able to compete outdoors for my high school.  This was an exciting season giving me the opportunity to break my school record in the pole vault at the first dual meet, as well as, earn points for my team at almost every meet in the 100m, 200m, long jump and pole vault.  I earned the top point earner award for our track team for the last two seasons. I believe my speed, strength, flexibility, air awareness and ability to invert my body will help me to continue to achieve success in track and field.  In 2021, I was honored to win the Lancaster Lebanon League Championships for pole vault and the earn a silver medal in the 100m.  As a junior, I had the honor of repeating my victory in pole vault,  as well as, earned a silver medal in the long jump, and medaled in the 100m and 4x100 relay.    As a sophomore,  I earned  a 3rd place finish in the pole vault at the PIAA District 3 Championships, and this year was District 3 Champion in the Pole Vault and placed 7th in Long Jump.  As a sophomore, I placed 6th Place at the PIAA State Track and Field Championships and this year placed 2nd in the PIAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Pole Vault.  In February, 2022, I won the PTFCA Indoor State Pole Vault Championships, and was the first in school history to do so.   In the summer of 2021, I qualified and competed at the USATF Junior Olympic Championships in Jacksonville FL and become an 2x All-American with top 8 finish in the Pole Vault and 5th in 4x100 relay.  This was an amazing and fun experience.  This summer I will continue to train for Pole Vault and compete with Lancaster City  Track Team in the AAU league in the PV, 100m and 4x100m.    I am dedicated to continuing to grow in the sport and look forward to my upcoming seasons.  I also take my role as a leader on the team seriously and really enjoy encouraging and inspiring my teammates as a team captain. 

In addition to my athletics, I enjoy volunteering in my community and have also spent many hours coaching elementary kids gymnastics and  high school peers the  fundamentals of pole vaulting.  I am also an academic tutor for high school students in biology, chemistry, algebra and geometry.  I serve as a member of the Solanco Link Crew which helps new students get acclimated to the school.  Attending my church youth group has been a highlight this year.   Through all the challenges of the last few years, I'm truly thankful for all the opportunities I have been able to experience, and  I continue to be motivated and eager to be part of collegiate program that fits both my academic goals and athletic potential, and allows me the opportunity to make an impact for a great team.