Medina’s first four time state track qualifier

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 30 April 2020 at 10:06 am

Contributed Photo – Penny Hilger-Hogan

Qualifying for the state high school championships in any sport is quite an accomplishment but to do it four years in a row is really something special.

But that is exactly what 1982 Medina High graduate Dr. Penny Hilger-Hogan did during the fledgling early days of Niagara-Orleans League girls track competition.

The holder of a doctorate in Veterinary Medicine, she competed at the state meet in the 400 in each of her freshman, sophomore and junior years and in the 800 during her senior year.

She qualified for the state meet by posting top finishes at the Section VI championships. At the sectionals she won the 400 in 1979 and the 800 in 1982 and placed second in the 400 in both 1980 and 1981.

At the N-O championship meet she captured both the 400 and Long Jump events during her junior year and both the 800 and Long Jump titles her senior year.

During her years of competition she set Medina records in the 100, 200, 400, 800 and Log Jump.

Inducted  into the MHS Sports Hall of Fame in 1991, she was also a three year varsity starter in volleyball and field hockey earning All-League honors in both sports her senior year.