Jumping to Success

Ashlee Ward was recently inducted into the Luzerne County Hall of Fame. She held numerous records in both high jump and discus between high school and college. Her interest in discus was inspired by her father, who was a thrower in high school and college. Ashlee signed up for discus when she was in 7th grade. She also participated in shot put in 8th grade.

Ashlee's friend talked her into participating in high jump when she joined track and field. Once she learned the basics, she was hooked. She also played soccer, basketball and ran cross country.

Born in Kingston and raised in the Wilkes Barre area, Ashlee attended Meyers High School, where she kept on with high jump and discus throwing. She claimed the school's high jump record of 5'6" and the discus record of 127'5" during her senior year. She was the PIAA D2 Champion from her sophomore year to her senior year. She was 4th in discus in 200, 2nd in 2008, 3rd in 2009 and 2nd in 2010. For high jump, she was 8th in 2007, 6th in 2008, 9th in 2009, and 4th in 2010. Ashlee credits her coaches Corry Hanson her high school career. She loved how the sport is both individ ualized and a team sport. She loved cheering on her teammates. "It was like having another family," she said. "To be able to compete one minute and cheer for someone else the next is an awesome feel ing."

After graduat ing in 2010, Ashlee contin ued high jump and dis cus at Misericordia University. She held four records there such as high jump (5'9.25"), discus (133'11"), Indoor MAC (Mid-American Conference) high jump (1.70m) and Outdoor MAC high jump (1.72m). In 2011, she became the Indoor Runner Up in high jump, Outdoor Field Athlete of the Year, MAC Outdoor Champion in both high jump

(National Collegiate Athletic Association) Outdoor Qualifier in the high jump and took 8th place in high jump. In 2012, she was the MAC Indoor Runner Up in high jump and took 5th place. She participated in the ECAC

Outdoor Championships and placed 12th at NCAA DIII Outdoor Championships. In 2013, she was the MAC Indoor & Outdoor Champion in high jump. In 2014, she was MAC Indoor and Outdoor High Jump Champion, MAC Indoor and Outdoor Champion, MAC Outdoor Runner Up in discus, NCAA DIII Outdoor Track and Field Champion in the high jump.

Ashlee thanks many of her coaches at Misericordia University such as Amy Filanowski (Mantush), Chris Wadas, John Gordham, Chris Sprowl and her father.

"He's always been patient with me and pushed me when I needed it," she said about her father. "He also would run back and forth from high jump to the throws during meets, since they were always at the same time!"

After graduating in 2014, Ashlee continued competing as an unattached athlete. She also volunteered with the team and traveled to many meets. Her first flight was to her first national meet in Wisconsin. She went to Nebraska and Ohio for other national meets. From these meets, she earned many accolades such as NCAA Track and Field Women's Athlete of the Year in the Mideast Region, Penn Lay's Runner Up in High Jump (Eastern) and Wendy's Athlete of the Year.

Ashlee passed on her skills with others by becoming a volunteer running coach for the Special Olympics in 2013, From 2017 to 2018, she was a volunteer high jump coach for Misericordia's Track and Field.

"I tried to teach team building, inclusion and encouragement," she said. "At the end of the day, the team is in it together and to have others support during practice and meets is invaluable."

Ashlee is currently residents in Vermont and is a travel occupational therapist.

Ashlee was honored to become inducted into the Luzerne County Sports Hall of Fame.

"It's one thing to hear about others getting inducted, but when it's yourself, it's very humbling," she said. "It's a team effort and I wouldn't have accomplished what I have without the love and support of my family, coaches, friends, and teammates. I am very fortunate to have them all in my life."

H – Ben Freda