Ephrata's Mary Witmer (left) competes at the State Indoor Track Meet Saturday at Penn State.

Ephrata’s Mary Witmer competed at Penn State University this past weekend at the PTFCA Indoor State Track & Field Championships.

Witmer’s day started in the 60 meter hurdles where there were a total of 28 athletes entered. Not having her best start, Witmer finished the race in 9.65 seconds, a mere 0.16 seconds off moving on to the semifinals and 0.07 seconds off her own school record.

"She flinched just before the starters gun went off," said her hurdle coach Todd Ream, "that was probably two-tenth’s of a second right there. She ran a very good technically sound race after that, but it was just enough at the start to nip off some precious seconds, and in a race like this one, every little bit is critical."

Witmer bounced back an hour later to compete in the 400 meter dash where she was competing against 30 other competitors, six (including her) in her heat. The race was tightly contested pretty much all the way through the two laps. Witmer had gotten boxed in, however she fought through some traffic and moved to the outside coming down the home stretch, narrowly missing winning her heat.

By: TODD RUTH Review Sports Editor truth.eph@lnpnews.com, Staff Writer

Cocalico freshman thrower Emily Stauffer announced her mere presence in the shot put back on Jan. 25 in a meet at F&M.

That day, she heaved it 41 feet, 7.5 inches, to set the high mark in the shot put in the state of Pennsylvania this year.

This past Saturday at the PTFCA State Indoor Championships held at Penn State’s Multi-Sport Facility, she took ownership of the event. On her first throw of the day Saturday, Stauffer unleashed a bomb. When it was measured out, Stauffer had eclipsed her previous State high by nearly two feet.

And while that ended up being her best of the day, it was the only one she needed as she defeated 14 others to win the State gold with a heave of 43-6.75.

"It was just an awesome feeling," Stauffer said of winning the gold. "I felt really accomplished, like all of my hard work was paying off. To be able to accomplish something like that at such a young age… I was really happy."

High school swimmers will invade Cumberland Valley High School this weekend for the District Three Championships.

Action begins this Friday afternoon from 5-6:30 p.m. with six AAA girls events to be contested. The AAA boys will then take over the pool with those same six events from 7:30-9 p.m.

Action resumes Saturday with the remaining five events. The girls session runs from 3-4:15 p.m. while the boys go from 5:15 to 6:30 p.m.

The Cocalico trio of Olivia Evans, sidney Evans and Samantha Marino earned the highest seeds among local swimmers heading to the championships.

Olivia Evans earned the number three seed in the 100 backstroke (59.12), and is ninth overall heading into the 100 fly (59.36). Marino has garnered the fifth seed in the girls 200 freestyle with a time of 1:55.69, and is also seeded eighth in the 100 back (1:00.61). Sidney Evans is ranked seventh in the 200 I.M. (2:13.18) and is 10th in the 500 free (5:17.89).

On the boys’ side, Cocalico’s Collin Haines is the lone local swimmer competing at the championships. The junior is seeded ninth in the 200 I.M. (2:03.25) and is 12th in the 100 free (49.45).

By: JOHN CRAWFORD Review Correspondent, Staff Writer

Red Land ended the Mounts journey through the CPIHL playoffs at the final four when they defeated Ephrata 7-5 last Friday.

"I am proud of the kids," said Coach Kevin Davis. "They played their hearts out. Either team could have won tonight."

Officially, Steven Zuziak had a hat trick and Josh Buohl had a goal and two assists but both said Trevor Seibel scored one of their goals. Even without the points from Friday’s game, Seibel finished the playoffs as the team’s leading scorer with seven goals and three assists for 10 points.

Red Land’s All-Star Brett Gummo scored five goals.

Outmanned 17 players to 11, Ephrata could have used a fast start but instead, the Patriots opened the scoring when Michael Bacior skated into the Mounts zoned and ended corralled by the Mounts’ defense; however, Bacior dropped a pass to Gummo who shot past Pogwist for the 1-0 lead with 5:28 into the game.

Bacior scored the game’s second goal at the 6:51 mark when he put a rebound home from Pupek’s original shot.

Gummo nearly put Red Land up 3-0 when he backhanded a shot two minutes after Bacior’s goal but Pogwist turned aside the play.

Cindy Sue Sweigart, 54, of Ephrata, passed away Saturday, Feb. 9, 2013, at her residence.

She was born in Lancaster. Cindy was a former production worker in various factories in the area. Her hobbies included playing computer games and watching TV soap operas.

Cindy is survived by her daughter: Kristi Sweigart of Honeoye, N.Y.; a close friend Mary Ann Kraft of Ephrata; a step brother: Scott Cochran of Ephrata; a sister in law: Karla Sweigart of Ephrata; and a cousin: Karen Sweigart of Reamstown.

By request, funeral services will be private at the convenience of the family.

Arrangements by Stradling Funeral Homes, Inc., Akron/Ephrata. Online condolences can be given at stradlingfuneralhome.com.

Virginia M. Stauffer, 91, of Leola, passed away on Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2013, at Hospice & Community Care, Mount Joy.

She was born in New Holland to the late Elmer and Verna (Musser) Martin and was the wife of the late Phares S. Stauffer.

Virginia was a member of Metzler Mennonite Church, Ephrata. During her working years, she worked for the Ephrata Shoe Company. She enjoyed baking, reading and gardening.

Virginia is survived by her children: Fred M. Stauffer of Leola; Elaine, wife of the late Vincent Ziolkowski of Ephrata; Janet Roberts of Defuniak Springs, Fla., Shannon M. Stauffer of Leola; Parke, husband of Debra Stauffer of Morgantown, Juanita, wife of Richard Seibert of Dagsboro, Del.; Lorna, wife of Richard McAlevy of Reinholds; Conrad A. Stauffer of Circle, Mont.; nine grandchildren; 21 great grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren; her siblings, Stanley, husband of Alta Martin of Ephrata; Marian, wife of Walter Shirk of Downing, Mo.; Lloyd, husband of Lydia Martin of Gap; Earl, husband of Earla Martin of Robesonia.

In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by a son: Russell M. Stauffer; a daughter: Thalia J. Stauffer; siblings: Shelly Martin, Florence Stauffer, Chester Martin, Fred Martin, Vera Shirk, June Martin and Melvin Martin.

Roger B. Spotts, 81, of Lititz, passed away on Friday, Feb. 22, 2013 at Brethren Village. He was the husband of Miriam P. (Brumbaugh) Spotts for 60 years on Aug. 16, 2012.

Born in Ephrata, to the late Elmer and Mabel (McElhenney) Spotts, Roger lived most of his life in the Ephrata area. He was a member of Grace E.C. Church in Ephrata, where he was a former church trustee and church board president.

Roger was a U.S. Army veteran and member of Cloister Post 429 American Legion and Cocalico Post 3376 VFW, both of Ephrata.

He worked for Raymark Industries in Manheim and most recently was employed by Elco and Garden Spot school districts in the cafeteria and supply departments.

Roger was an avid bowler and also enjoyed hunting and fishing.

In addition to his wife Miriam, Roger is survived by a daughter: Linda M., wife of Richard L. Althouse; a granddaughter: Amy, wife of Robert Mellinger III; a sister: Ruby J., wife of Russell Petticoffer; and a brother: Lynn D., husband of Johan (Wilhelm) Spotts, all residents of Ephrata.

Robert L. Reitzel, 65, of Ephrata, passed away on Thursday, Feb. 21, 2013 at Essa Flory Hospice & Community Care in Lancaster surrounded by his family. Born in Lancaster, he is the son of Mary A. (Getz) Pichler and the late Bruce E. Reitzel.

He was a 1966 graduate of Lancaster Catholic High School and attended York College. Bob was employed for NTN-BCA Corp. in Lititz for many years and went onto work at Y&S Candies in Lancaster. He was of the Catholic faith. Bob was an avid fisherman, hunter and enjoyed going to the beach. He was a member of the Lancaster Liederkranz and the Strasburg Sportsmen Association.

He was a veteran proudly serving in the U.S. Navy.

In addition to his mother, he is survived by his daughters: Tammy L., wife of Glenn Haldeman of Reamstown; and Stacie L., wife of Kenneth Miller of Shippensburg. Also surviving is a sister: Arlene Scheingraber, of Lancaster; and eight grandchildren.

A viewing was held on Feb. 25 at Charles F. Snyder, Jr. Funeral Home & Crematory followed by a Christian prayer service on Feb. 26. Interment was in Conestoga Memorial Park in Lancaster.

Barbara Ann Parks, 64, of Ephrata, passed away on Monday, Feb. 11, 2013, at Hospice & Community Care, Lancaster.

She was born in Philadelphia to the late Emil and Ida (Bates) Ricca and was the wife of James R. Parks.

Barbara attended Our Mother of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, Ephrata. She enjoyed spending time with her family.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by a son: James M., husband of Jessica Parks of Bozeman, Mont.; a daughter: Lisa Vogelsong, companion of Dwayne Christ of Ephrata; grandchildren: Joseph M. Jr. and Nicole M. Gallo; Bella Marie, Maybel Ann and Quinn Douglas Parks; two brothers: Emil Joseph III, husband of Rina Ricca of Utah; Daniel C., husband of Theresa Ricca of Ephrata; sister: Ida, wife of Jodi Hunt of Petersburg, Va.; sister-in-law: Phyllis Ricca of Ephrata.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a brother: John Ricca.

A gathering to celebrate Barbara’s life will take place on Friday, March 1, from 6 to 7 p.m. at the Stradling Funeral Home, 201 Church Ave., Ephrata, followed by a prayer service at 7 p.m. with Father John McLoughlin C.S.S.R. as celebrant. Final commendation and farewell will be private in the Cedar Hill Cemetery.

Sharon Elaine (Herman) Miller, 61, of Ephrata, passed away Thursday, Feb. 21, 2013 at the Ephrata Community Hospital. Born in Ephrata on July 21, 1951, she was the daughter of the late Harold Herman and Arlene (Buckwalter) Herman.

Sharon was the wife of Ronald L. Miller and together they celebrated 38 years of marriage.

Sharon was a graduate of Garden Spot High School. She was a former employee of Victor F. Weaver, Inc., New Holland, Bareville Garment, Martindale and Friendship Community, Lancaster.

Sharon enjoyed crocheting, bowling, and watching NASCAR, especially Jeff Gordon. Each summer she looked forward to vacationing with her family at the beach.

Sharon’s greatest joy was her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She treasured holidays spent with her family.

Besides her husband, she is survived by five children: Melissa (Cris) Miller; Julie Dilbeck; Lori (Alan) Simpson; Lisa (Gregg) Swartley; and Jeffrey (Karen) Miller; seven grandchildren: Dalton and Grace Miller; Stephanie Miller; Christina Bryan; Matthew Simpson; Kelly Ice; and Ryan Miller; and eight great-grandchildren.

She is also survived two siblings: Harold "Pete" (Karen) Herman, Jr.; and Connie Rhoades.