Peters Township pair making more news
Froelich sets record; Knox commits
School is out for summer but that doesn’t mean Kathryn Froelich and Alex Knox have stopped making headlines in their respective sports.
The Peters Township pair continue to carve out names for themselves in their particular activities.
On the track, Froelich continues to set records. Recently, the rising sophomore shattered the meet record in the freshman girls mile during the New Balance Nationals Outdoor (NBNO) track and field meet held at the storied Franklin Field on the University of Pennsylvania campus.
Froelich clocked a 4:47.87 to set the national-stage record and cement herself among the premier young distance runners in the country.
The previous record of 4:54.96 was set last year by Colby McCollum, who is associated with the Carolina Cavaliers.
Froelich has run faster. She won the mile event at the Pennsylvania Track and Field Coaches Association’s indoor state championships in 4:47.42.
Froelich also finished third in the Championship Girls’ 2 Mile. She posted a 9:57.66 time to claim the bronze. It was a personal best time but off the pace set by Maggie McCormick, who won the race in 9:50.81, a new meet mark. Hanne Thomsen from Santa Rosa, California set the previous mark of 9:55.48 in 2025.
The NBNO capped a stellar spring for Froelich.
She dominated the distance races at both the PIAA and WPIAL Class 3A championships in May.
At the state championships held at Seth Grove Stadium on the Shippensburg University campus, Froelich won the 1,600-meter run in 4:48.08 and the 3,200 distance in 10:18.20. Her sweep of the state distance events was a first for a freshman from the WPIAL.
At the District 7 championships held at Milhalik-Thompson Stadium Complex on the Slippery Rock University campus, she broke the WPIAL record in winning the 3,200 in 10:15.64. She won the 1,600 in 4:53.10.
Froelich is a two-sport athlete at Peters Township High School. In the fall, she started on the varsity for the Lady Indians, who won a section title and advanced to the WPIAL semifinals. A striker, she scored three goals and collected five assists on a talented, senior-laden club.
Froelich did not make the trip to Philadelphia by herself. Her twin sister, Allyson, competed in the mile, clocking a 5:03.71 time.
Nolan Sarkett from Upper St. Clair also competed in the meet. He raced in the mile, finishing with a time of 4:22.17.
Meanwhile, Knox made the news because of her verbal college commitment to the University of Pittsburgh. She will play volleyball for the Panthers, who have reached the semifinals in the NCAA Division I championships for five consecutive years.
“It has always been my dream and goal to play college volleyball at the highest level, and I truly believe that Pitt volleyball is at the highest level of competition,” Knox said.
“Being close to home was definitely a part of (my decision),” Knox continued. “I think it’ll be super cool in the future to have a lot of family and friends come out to watch me play. That’s a special opportunity.”
Peters Township head coach Chris Kelly is “pleased” Knox decided to commit to Pitt for that specific reason. “Selfishly because I’ll be able to watch her play in college more easily,” he said.
Knox makes playing the game appear easy. Last fall, she led the Lady Indians to their first WPIAL championship in program history. In addition to the sweep over Pine-Richland, 3-0, in the Class 4A final, Knox helped Peters Township to a section title and an 11-2 regular season.
A 5-foot-10 setter, Knox led Peters Township in kills along with Maddie Carroll. Both had 237. Knox also paced the Indians in blocks (32), assists (390) and service aces (43). She also finished with 200 digs.
While Knox earned all-section, all-WPIAL and all-state first team accolades, most recently, she was invited to play with the U-19 national team this summer. She is one of only 20 players in the country extended an invitation. She travels to Colorado Springs in July to compete for one of 14 spots on a team that will compete at the NORCECA Women’s U-19 Continental Championship in San Jose, Costa Rica.
Kelly predicts a bright future at Pitt for Knox after she completes her scholastic career at Peters Township. She also plays on the 171 Gold team for 3DGE Volleyball Club.
“In terms of skill, every player is very skilled at that level and Alex is no different,” he said. “The thing that will set Alex apart is her competitiveness and the mental part of her game.
“Alex plays even keel. She’s never too high or too low. Just consistent,” Kelly emphasized. “She does not rattle easily and that’s what you want from your setter.
“Those aspects of her game will allow her to excel at the next level,” he concluded.