How Karli Shrock’s ability on soccer field and track led to Mars Hall of Fame
A player can find it difficult to earn a prominent role on a team loaded with talented players.
Thanks to her speed, Karli (Paracca) Shrock had no such issues with the girls soccer program at Mars.
Her ability to create separation led to 85 goals in three seasons as a forward for Mars, including a decorated sophomore campaign when she helped the Planets to their first-ever state championship.
Competing in track for two years, she still holds school records in the 100 (12.62 seconds) and 200-meter dash (26.2). Her efforts in two sports cleared a path to the Mars Athletic Hall of Fame. Shrock will be inducted in September.
The 2014 graduate scored a number of big goals her freshman season, including a combined three scores in state playoff wins over Villa Maria and Bradford.
“I wasn’t the most skilled soccer player, but I was fast,” said Shrock. “I was like the Energizer Bunny, all over the place.
“Blair (Gerlach, head coach) always made sure we were a well-conditioned team. We were not going to lose to a team because of a lack of endurance.”
The Planets’ only loss during Shrock’s freshman campaign came in a state semifinal. The next year, the Planets did not lose at all and defeated Villa Joseph Marie in Hershey for the PIAA Class 2A championship.
“We did so well the year before and that momentum just carried over. We were hungry for more,” said Shrock. “The state final was so intense and everybody was super-nervous. It felt amazing to win. We made history and that bus ride home is something I’ll never forget.”
From her freshman through junior seasons, Shrock helped the Planets to three WPIAL titles, the last one in 2012 decided by her penalty kick against Moon. In that span, Mars compiled a record of 69-3-2.
“Practices were fun, but so competitive,” she said. “I played on a lot of elite travel and Cup teams and those experiences helped prepare me for a program with such high standards.”
Shrock was hoping to contribute to another stellar season in 2013, but a knee injury suffered over that summer wiped out her senior campaign on the soccer field.
“It was tough not being able to play, but I stayed involved with the team as much as I could, went to practices and games,” she said. “I needed to get my stride back and that’s why I came back out for track as a senior. With my soccer schedule, it all got to be a little much and I had given up track after my freshman year.”
It was in the spring of 2014 when Shrock posted the times in the 100 and 200 that remain the girls standards at Mars.
She played soccer on scholarship at Kent State and became known as a clutch goal scorer for the Golden Flashes.
Shrock said she was “shocked” when she learned of her coming induction.
“I didn’t get to play my senior soccer season and ran only two years of track. But I worked very hard and was able to contribute. I’m so grateful to be chosen.”
Shrock has been a personal trainer since 2018. She and her husband, Bill, live in Wexford and have two children: Liam and Quinn.
