Welcome to Rodney’s Rundown—“Unfiltered takes and real conversations.”
I spent this week with the Mars Fightin’ Planets Coed Track & Field head coach Julianna Watenpool for an in-depth one-on-one interview and five of her athletes representing The 228 Times.
In her fifth year of coaching at Mars, three at the middle school and two with the varsity, former Division I athlete, head coach Julianna Watenpool is no stranger to a high level of competition.
She has built her team on trust, encouragement, and a competitive environment.
Coach Watenpool was a WPIAL champion hurdler at Hampton High School. At the University of Pittsburgh, she was a standout hurdler and multi-event athlete, who not only was a consistent contributor to the Track and Field team, but set school records in hurdles. (2004-2007)
Her message to her athletes is simple: have fun, encourage each other and compete.
By day, she is a certified nurse anesthetist specializing in pediatric anesthesiology at UPMC Children’s Hospital.
Sitting with coach Watenpool on a metal bench just off the track watching her team go through their warmups, it was clear how much passion that she has for her athletes.
As we looked out onto the field at her athletes, coach Watenpool said with a huge smile, “This is my passion. Preparation is key for us,” Watenpool.
“The best thing about track for me is that it is all about the kids. I just love seeing their goals and helping them reach their goals,” Coach Watenpool told me.
Even though her coed team consists of individually specialized athletes, coach Watenpool builds her team culture through the team warm-up and encouraging the kids to do different events.
“We’ve got pole vaulters, who are hurdlers, throwers that are sprinters and specialty skills who spend time running the track,” explained coach Watenpool. “I encourage them at a young age to not specialize, but to hang out with other groups, try something else. It gives them respect for each discipline, which contributes to the team atmosphere.”
Even though track is an individual sport, her constant focus on the importance of the team dynamic at warm-ups, meetings and encouraging the athletes to spend a lot of time together creates unity.
She approaches the coed team structure by not splitting them up into groups of boys and girls but has them practice their events together encouraging a fun collaboration.
“I really think that the boys can learn from the girls and vice versa,” Coach Watenpool explained. “They enjoy being together and encouraging each other. I try not to treat them differently.”
Even though coaching both male and female athletes adds a different complexity to coaching, she is there for both genders in different manners.
“Sometimes the boys and girls need a little different attention from me. I think it adds a regular layer of complexity and coaching. At first, I wasn’t prepared for it but I’m now getting used to what each of them needs and it’s been really fun.” Coach Watenpool’s eyes light up as a handful of coed athletes run past us on the bench. “It’s such a mental sport. As a coach mentally pushing the right buttons, helping them to develop, not all doing the same thing but making sure that everybody has their own specific goal.”
Season Strategy
Coach Watenpool uses March and early April to work on technique and a high focus on staying healthy.
She begins establishing that environment from day one. Resting athletes when needed.
“Rest is just as important as training for these athletes,” Coach Watenpool said.
“We are focused on being ready for May. I expect to go to WPIAL and States. I use these early meets as workouts and training. As the competition becomes higher stakes we start to back off on the volume of training,” Coach Watenpool said.
Athletes to Watch
In a semi-circle on the track, I was able to have an in-depth conversation with seniors Ayden Yocum, Nathan Tak, Riley Carrel, and freshman Carly McKenna.
Quickly, it became obvious to me just how close of a team these athletes are and how much fun they have with each other.
“We cheer for each other when our teammates are running and competing,” Ayden Yocum described the team culture.
“I’m not just trying to race for myself but to get points for our team,” Carly McKenna added.
“Same thing for me, we race for each other,” said Nathan Tak. “We all hang out together outside of practice and cheer for each other during meets and practices.”
“My teammates are like a boost of encouragement for me. Everyone’s cheering each other on,” explained Riley Carrel. “I like seeing our team’s overall score.”
“I like seeing that we all did it together,” said Carly McKenna.
“We push each other and that’s what helps us get better.” added Ayden Yocum.
“No one is getting 150 points.” Riley Carrel added with a huge smile.
All four athletes mentioned different teams around the area that have different athletes in their individual events that motivate and push them; Butler, North Catholic, Pine Richland and Seneca Valley.
Riley Carrel, who is a senior Pole Vaulter for the Mars Track and Field team is also a four-year member of the Mars Area High School Varsity Cheerleading Squad and Competition Cheer Team. She signed a letter of intent to join the Falcons Cheerleading Team at Bowling Green State University.
Building Team Competition
In the pole vault both the current and previous record holders are currently on the same team heading into invitational season; sophomore Kohlee Edwards cleared 9’7”, breaking the Mars school pole vault record of 9’6” set by Riley Carrel in 2025.
“We encourage friendly competition between the boys and girls that is built on encouragement,” explained coach Watenpool. “It is fun to see them reaching their goals.”
On April 9 at an away meet, the Mars boys beat Valley Senior High School 118-32 and the girls won 114-25.
Sophomore Jackson Everhart won three events, the High Jump, Long jump and the triple jump.
Freshmen Carly Mckenna won the 400 meter and the 4×400 relay.
Senior Colton Rearick had a win in the 800 meters with a personal record.
Sophomore Asher Pesanka had a personal record taking second place in the Javelin.
Sophomore Joe Bandzak had a personal record winning the pole vault with 10’7.
The team returned home on Thursday April 16 against Highlands,where both the Mars boys and girls won. The Mars boys won 107-29 over the Highlands Rams. The Mars girls won 91-41.
The top point contributors were sophomore Jackson Everhart with 15 points, senior Riley Carrel with 11 points, sophomore Joe Bandzak with 10 points, freshmen Monica Grunden with 8 points, junior Gus Coffield with 7 points, and sophomore Liam Corcoran, sophomore Sarah Lahlou and freshmen Audrey Lyker had 6 points each.
Season Outlook
With a highly competitive and talented roster, a head coach that is not only encouraging but who knows how to win at the helm, the Planets are poised to have some athletes competing at WPIAL and States.
Coach Watenpool has a team that gives Mars fans a plethora of reasons to follow the them into late spring.
Other Mars Sports Recap
The Mars Fightin’ Planets Mascot is currently competing for a spot in the high school mascot national championship.
The Mascot is three years old. The Mascot was created and designed by the Mars Cheer Boosters, who wanted another way to hype up the fans.
Mars Alum, Mason Koma, was the first person to debut the costume at its release.
Mars Alum, Dominic Speranza, donned the costume full-time last year. He brought high-energy to the mascot.
This year a multitude of students have brought that same energy showcasing their individual fun school spirit by wearing the Fightin’ Planet Costume.
Courtenay Carrel was the architect behind the costume idea, design, and fundraising.
Speaking with her, her passion and excitement shines.
“We wanted to generate more school spirit. The community has really rallied behind the mascot,” explained Courtenay Carrel. “The Mascot is in high demand at all the local events.”
The Mars Mascot just beat the Yuma Criminals from Arizona in the Elite 8.
They are moving on to to face the Willingboro Chimeras, NJ mascot in the Best Mascot in America Final Four.
“The tremendous support that our community has shown towards the Mascot has been incredible,” Courtenay Carrel said.
Keep the votes coming!
Vote here: https://tinyurl.com/2c2tm4za
Voting is open through Friday, April 24 at 11:59 PM.
Mars Fightin’ Planets Boys Lacrosse
The Boys Lacrosse have bounced back and righted the ship after losing to the Hampton Talbots at Fridley Field 11-9.
“It is important for us to work together defensively. Fundamentals,” explained assistant coach Matt Grus. “We emphasize doing the little things right.”
Against Indiana, Mars enjoyed a decisive victory 16-1.
Then they dominated a section game against Moon with an 18-0 win.
Reed Fuller scored four goals, and Mata Choffel was a key factor at the LSM position.
Oskar Moran scored his first ever lacrosse goal in the JV game.
In a 2A verse 3A matchup, the Fightin’ Planets beat Upper St. Clair 12-9 behind a strong performance in net from David Renner, who made clutch saves and clears to help jump start the Mars offense.
Chase Lamm and Mata Choffel were difference makers at LSM. They neutralized a top offensive opponent.
Chase Lamm had a big-time goal to help secure the victory.
Contributing with goals and assists Grant Weaver controlled the offensive tempo.
“Weaver is our facilitator, he stirs our drink,” explained coach Kyle Savage.
Senior Connor Long bookended the game by starting the Fightin’ Planets off with a goal and ending the scoring with a goal.
The Fightin’ Planets are moving in the right direction to make a run in the WPIAL Playoffs.
Upcoming Mars Boys Lacrosse Schedule
The Mars Fightin’ Planets Annual Play for the Brave and Youth night is scheduled for Thursday, April 23rd at the Mars Athletic Complex at 6:00 PM verses Shaler. Varsity only.
All proceeds from the night will be donated to “It’s About The Warrior” (www.IATW.us)
There will be Raffle Baskets, a 50/50 drawing, a T-shirt Sale and a Fastest Shot contest.
Admission is free for those fans with Military Card ID or Uniform and youth jerseys. If you are unable to attend the game, you can still donate: Venmo @MarsLacrosseBoosters – Put IATW in the Memo!
The mission of “It’s About The Warrior Foundation” is to assist and empower ALL post 9/11 veterans and their families from the Tri-state Area, regardless of if they have been wounded or have been deployed, with their various programs thus, leading them to successful and enriched lives.
Mars Lady Planets Girls Lacrosse Team Defensive Mindset
The Mars Lady Planets Girls Lacrosse team has continued their dominant start to the 2026 season on both sides of the ball.
Teamwork and tough defense have been at the core of their success.
I caught up with the four starting defensive players at practice. The core starting defenders for the Lady Planets are Keira Raishart, Maddie Peterson, Ella DePaoli and Niki Lefcakis.
Speaking with them the team’s ‘As One’ team philosophy speaks volumes.
“We have all become so close. We’re kind of like a family now,” explained defender Niki Lefcakis.
“We don’t just communicate verbally,” Ella Depaoli explained. “We know instinctively where each of us needs to be.”
The ladies play an aggressive, tough defense that is fundamentally sound at its core.
“We pressure hard when we need to force turnovers.” Maddie Peterson said.
“We are very connected as a defense,” explained Ella DePaoli.
“We know how to read each other and know what each other is going to do, ” Niki Lefcakis said.
“Our team is putting an emphasis on possessing the ball and playing lock-down defense,” explained head coach Abby Latona.
“We have great chemistry. Our whole team hangs together all the time. On and off the field,” Keira Raishart explained.
The defense has been a catalyst in jump-starting the Lady Planets high-powered offense.
“I feel like I’ve always been able to start the offense by running the ball down the field a little bit,” Niki Lefcakis explained.
“Niki and I play club together as well. We both can push the tempo down the field,” described Ella DePaoli. “We lean on each other and are constantly communicating.”
“We are like sisters in a way. We have different connections with each other. We have really built something here over the last two years.” Maddie Peterson told me with a huge smile. “We trust in one another.”
I made the point to Maddie that she has some of the same skill sets as her coach Mara Fuller where she can really play any position. Offense or defense.
“Last year, I really played both offense and defense. This year I think we found a good group of four defenders that work very well together. I’m excited that I’m able to contribute to that,” Maddie Peterson replied.
Representing the Community
The Mars Area High School Girls Lacrosse team hosted a “Play for a Cause & Youth Night” charity game against Pine-Richland on Friday, April 17th at the Mars Athletic Complex, which featured a JV game at 6:00 PM followed by the varsity.
The event supported breast cancer research with all proceeds going to MetaVivor.
The event featured Raffle Baskets, T-shirt sales, 50/50 and a Fastest Shot Contest.
MetaVivor focuses exclusively on stage IV metastatic breast cancer to improve the lives of people living with MBC by funding research, advancing federal policies through advocacy, and facilitating a community of peer-to-peer support.
If you could not attend, you can still donate: Venmo @MarsLacrosseBoosters Put “Youth Night” in the memo.
At the 4th inaugural teacher appreciation game, the three senior captains, Anna and Tess McGrath and Lydia Tomkovich, honored three educators that left a lasting impression on them.
Mars teachers Mrs. Boland, Mrs. Sloane and Mrs. Van Cleef were appreciated by the team leaders.
Tough Opponent Breeds Their Competitive Culture
Iron sharpens Iron.
Playing against the two-time Ohio State Champion Olentangy High School Lady Braves at the Mars Athlete Complex proved to be an exciting matchup.
“We look forward to tough competition,” Coach Latona said.
Although the Lady Planets lost a close game to the Olentangy Lady Braves 7-6, they played extremely strong offensively and defensively.
The game was fast-paced and exciting.
The Mars goal scorers were Katie Blake with three goals, Hailey Long with two goals and Lola Seideneck with one goal.
Bouncing Back
The Lady Planets quickly bounced back from the close loss by beating Ambridge soundly 20-0 in a section matchup.
The Lady Planets had twelve different scorers in the lopsided win.
The Lady Planets quickly followed that lopsided win up with another Section win against Knoch 22-1.
In back-to-back games, the Lady Planets scored forty-four goals and only allowed one goal against.
In a 2A verse 3A game, the 2A Mars Lady Planets finished off their week by beating the 3A Pine Richland Rams Girls Lacrosse team 10-6 behind a 10-save performance from Mars Goalkeeper Julia Lego.
“Julia made big saves for us all night,” explained Abby Latona.
The twins, captains Anna and Tess McGrath led the charge for the Lady Planets by combining for seven of their ten goals. Anna McGrath had four goals, and Tess McGrath had three goals.
The other three Planet goals came from Hailey Long with two and Katie Blake with a goal.
Control the ball. Control the game.
The Lady Planets had Draw Control from Lucy Balazs with six and Hailey Long with three.
“Truly a team win!” head coach Abby Latona said.
This team has a highly contagious positive attitude.