Fresh off a WPIAL championship in the 4×400 relay, the Mt. Lebanon girls track team is carrying its winter momentum into the spring season with hopes of another record-breaking year.
Senior Lily Cramer, a Bucknell University track commit and two-sport standout in track and lacrosse, helped lead the relay team to the WPIAL title alongside Lucy Tang, Lauren Krebs and Selma Bajgoric.
Cramer competes in the 4×400 relay, 300-meter hurdles and 100-meter hurdles. In lacrosse, she earned first-team all-section honors in 2024 and was part of the WPIAL championship team. Balancing both sports in the same season requires strong time management.
“I have to really manage my time, which sometimes means getting up early and doing my homework before school,” Cramer said. “I also prioritize sleep and healthy eating, while taking time on the weekends to recover. Mentally, I see playing two sports in the spring as a privilege, and I try not to take that opportunity for granted. Even though it can be challenging at times, I enjoy staying busy and competing in both sports. It pushes me to stay focused, work harder and appreciate the chance to be a part of two teams.”
Cramer committed to running track at Bucknell during the winter track season. Her recruiting process included reaching out to coaches, visiting campuses and learning about different programs before deciding on the school that best fit her academically and athletically.
During her senior season, Cramer hopes to give everything she has one last time.
“My senior track season means giving everything I have one last time,” Cramer said. “I plan on making the most of every meet, every race, every bus ride, and setting a good example for my younger teammates.”
Junior Keira Kraemer has also been a key contributor to the Mt. Lebanon girls track team. She competes in the triple jump, long jump, high jump, 200 meters, 100 meters and 60-meter hurdles. Her primary event is the triple jump, where she holds an outdoor personal record of 37 feet, 11.75 inches.
This season, Kraemer hopes to surpass 40 feet in the triple jump, reach 19 feet in the long jump and continue improving across her events.
“My goals for this season are to continue improving in all my events and reach new personal bests,” Kraemer said. “I also want to continue refining my technique and becoming more consistent in my performances. Beyond my own marks, one of my goals is to grow closer with my teammates and support everyone on the team to become better throughout the season.”
Looking ahead, Kraemer hopes to compete in Division I track and field at the collegiate level while pursuing a major that excites her. She credits her teammates and coaches for pushing her to improve every day.
“My team pushes me to be better every day because we constantly support and encourage each other,” Kraemer said. “Whether it’s at meets or during tough workouts, everyone is always cheering each other on and pushing each other to improve. Our coaches also play a huge role by believing in us and challenging us to reach our full potential.”
Cramer agrees that the team environment motivates her to become the best version of herself, especially as part of a championship relay group.
“Since freshman year, I’ve become more confident and learned how to handle the pressure in a more positive way,” Cramer said. “I look at pressure as a privilege and think of all the hard work that has gotten me to that point, turning my nerves into confidence. Our ultimate goal is to peak in May, and while there will be personal records along the way, there will also be plateaus. I’ve been able to rely on my training and stay confident when things don’t go as planned, and trusting my coaches has helped me through tough times.”
Through Cramer’s hard work, she has become a WPIAL champion in both track and lacrosse. She said those championships represent the dedication she and her teammates have shown over the past four years.
“Winning with my 4×400 relay team and the lacrosse team was really special because it wasn’t just about the result — it was about the effort, the preparation and the teammates who helped make it happen,” Cramer said.
Being part of a relay team also motivates Cramer each day because she knows her teammates are counting on her.
“I think it pushes me to work harder every day because I know other people are relying on me,” she said.
Kraemer also focuses on mental preparation before competitions.
“I visualize myself executing the event successfully and repeating the movements in my head,” Kraemer said. “I focus on staying confident and positive throughout the entire process. I also trust fully in God’s plan for me and remind myself to believe in my abilities and the work I’ve put in.”
Since her freshman year, Kraemer has learned that improvement doesn’t always happen in a straight line. Consistency and discipline, she said, are what eventually lead to progress.
For younger athletes, Cramer advises staying dedicated and trusting the process.
“Every athlete has ups and downs and good races and bad, but dedication and persistence go a long way,” Cramer said. “Show up every day, keep working hard, and focus on improving a little bit at a time.”