Armstrong Co. HOF class set
FREEPORT — Linsey Westerman did most of her running on a cinder track at Freeport High School.
The 1999 graduate and standout hurdler on the Yellowjackets' girls track and field team said the surface was a blessing in disguise.
Tripping over a hurdle and taking a spill on that surface meant lots of pain — and picking small stones out of your skin.
Luckily for Westerman, she didn't fall very often.
“I think it gave me an advantage,” she said. “It was something we didn't think about at the time, but other teams weren't used to running on it. I think it made me a better hurdler.”
She proved that throughout her career, which culminated with a state championship in the 300-meter hurdles as a senior.
Westerman also placed second in the 100-meter hurdles at the state meet that season.
Her best time in the 300 hurdles (44.57) and in the 100 hurdles (15.1) are still school records. Westerman, now 32 and an English teacher and assistant track and field coach in the Freeport School District, is ready to accept another honor.
Westerman, along with 10 others, will be inducted into the Armstrong County Hall of Fame April 27.
She received the news from her former track coach at Freeport, Bill Dillen.
“I was excited and happy,” she said. “Mr. Dillen called me and talked to me about it before. It was exciting news.”
Westerman, who also went on to have a standout track and field career at Slippery Rock University, is coaching the hurdlers at Freeport under current head track and field coach John Gaillot.
“Track has done so much for me,” Westerman said. “It's something that has been in my life for so long now, and it's nice being on the other end of it as a coach.”
Westerman, who has a 9-year-old son, Dylan, and an 7-year-old daughter, Olivia, is still an active runner.She finished her first marathon recently at Virginia Beach.“My friend talked me into it,” Westerman said. “I've done some half marathons, but running a full marathon was something I said I would never do.“The last five miles,” Westerman said, chuckling, “I was regretting my decision.”Despite her late struggles, Westerman ran a time that qualified her for the Boston Marathon next year.Westerman is also a third generation inductee into the Armstrong Hall. Her grandfather, Sonny, and her father, Mike, are also members.“I've been thinking about my speech a lot,” Westerman said. “My grandfather and father will definitely be on my mind. I just hope I can get the words out.”Joining Westerman in the Armstrong Hall of Fame is Carol Perroz, also a Freeport High School graduate.Perroz was a standout volleyball, softball and basketball athlete at Freeport.During her senior year on the softball diamond, she led the Yellowjackets to the school's first-ever section championship.In college, she helped Slippery Rock University to the NAIA softball national championship.Perroz could not be reached for comment.Other inductees are: John G. Simensky, Ford City/Penn State University, bowling; Dennis Stewart, Kittanning/IUP, wrestling; Joe Boario, Leechburg/St. Francis College, football official; Jeff Cortileso, Leechburg/West Virginia University, football;Frank Sulava, Leechburg, footbball; Shintrika Renee Hudson, Dayton High School/Clarion University, softball; Brandon Stefaniak, Apollo-Ridge/ Penn State University, gymnastics; 2nd Lt. Michael Girdano, Apollo-Ridge/West Point Academy, military. The banquet will be held on April 27 at Laube Hall in Freeport beginning at 4 p.m.For tickets, call Dennis Wolfe at 724-882-3557.
