Kayla Susko will be one of the inductees into the 2019 Jim Thorpe Area Sports Hall of Fame.

Susko graduated from Jim Thorpe in 2012. Her interest in running began when she moved to the school district in 2008 and became friends with students on the cross country team. Susko’s dedication and sportsmanship made her a key member of the cross country and track & field teams over her four years at Jim Thorpe.

Specifically, Susko held six school records in track & field throughout her career, claiming the 400 record when asked to run the race for the first time. She, along with her teammates, set the Schuylkill League championship mark in the 4x400 relay, and that mark still stands today.

Susko made the “Trip to Ship” as a sophomore to race in the state’s 1600 event, and also received the 2009 Coach’s Award and 2012 MVP award.

Overall, she played a critical role in the girls track & field team’s success and in the program’s transition from the Class 2A level to Class 3A.

Thorpe’s head track & field coach Frank Miller stated, “Kayla was a foundational success of the track & field program for her four years of competition. She showed the true grit and effort of what it means to be an Olympian.” The coaching staff viewed Kayla as the “glue” that held the program together during the transition years.

Off the track, Susko excelled at academics and participated in many extracurricular activities. She served as Class of 2012 valedictorian and editor-in-chief of the Olympiad.

What defines a Hall of Fame Athlete? Eye-popping numbers? A collection of hardware around one’s neck? Maybe so, but Kayla Susko provided much more to the Jim Thorpe track and field program during a time when they were jumping from Class 2A to 3A on the district level.

The hard work, determination and ability to make everyone around her better is what separated Kayla from others and gained her acceptance into the Jim Thorpe Area Sports Hall of Fame.

She not only enhanced her academic and athletics, but also her teammates.

Kayla graduated in 2016 from Penn State with a B.S. in Community, Environment and Development and began her career with Dow soon after. Susko currently works as a Marketing Communications Specialist in Midland, Michigan and serves on the board of directors for a nonprofit.

She is still best friends with Erin Bucci, and her brother, Ian Susko, will be a senior at Jim Thorpe Area High School in the fall.

In the next few weeks leading up to the banquet, the other inductees into this year’s class will be highlighted. The other inductees include Ethan Smith, Ryan Saunders II, Pervis “PJ” Johnson, Chris “Chopper” Figura and the 1969 Jim Thorpe championship football team.

The 30th annual Jim Thorpe Area Sports Hall of Fame banquet will be held at Dean Anthony’s Restaurant in Jim Thorpe on Saturday, Aug. 17.

A cocktail hour will begin at 5 p.m., dinner at 6 p.m., and the induction ceremony will start at 7:15 p.m. Entertainment will begin at the conclusion of the induction ceremony, which will be at approximately 8:30 p.m. The cost will be $35 for adults and $11.95 for kids. The price includes dinner, selected drinks and entertainment.

Tickets for the induction ceremony and the rest of the evening can be obtained by calling Jack Kmetz at 570-325-4923 or Wilmer Redline at 570-325-3073.