Shady Side Academy recent alumna Melissa Riggins '21 won first place in the Girls' 1600 Meter Run (4:45.69) in the High School Championship Division of the 2021 East Coast Track & Field Championships, held in Edison, N.J., on June 23-24.

In addition, 18-year-old Riggins placed third overall in the Women's 800 Meter Run (2:10.13) in the Olympic Development Division, which is for college and post-college athletes ages 18-34.

The East Coast Track & Field Championships bring together the best track and field athletes from the nation's East Coast. Each event has multiple divisions: High School Championship, High School Emerging Elite, High School Freshmen, Olympic Development, Masters (ages 35+) and Youth (elementary and middle school).

Riggins graduated from Shady Side Academy in 2021 with six WPIAL gold medals and six PIAA gold medals, having swept the 800 and 1600 meter events in the league and state championships in each of her three years of competition (2018, 2019 and 2021 - the 2020 season was canceled due to COVID-19). She will compete in both track and soccer at NCAA Division I Georgetown University next year.

Congratulations, Melissa!