By Panhandle Post
ALLIANCE, Neb. — USA Track & Field (USATF) Nebraska recently held its annual awards banquet to recognize top athletes from the 2025 track and field season. Among those honored was Alliance youth standout Penn Vergil, who received two of the organization’s highest accolades.
Vergil was named Girls Junior Olympic Jumper of the Year and Girls 11–12 Junior Olympic Track & Field Athlete of the Year, awards presented in recognition of her record-setting 2025 outdoor season with USATF Nebraska.
Her season began at the USATF Nebraska Association Junior Olympic Championships in Omaha in early June, where she placed first in the high jump, first in the 800 meters and fifth in the long jump.
A month later, Vergil competed at the USATF Region 8 Junior Olympic Championships in Ames, Iowa, facing athletes from Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, Nebraska and Wisconsin. There, she broke a regional high jump record that had stood for more than 30 years, clearing 1.55 meters (5'1"). She also defended her 800-meter title with a time of 2:29.95 and placed fifth in the long jump at 4.28 meters.
Vergil’s season concluded at the USATF National Junior Olympic Championships in Savannah, Georgia, where she won a national title in the high jump for her age group with a mark of 1.51 meters (4'11.5"). Competing in a heat index of 118 degrees, she also placed 27th in the 800 meters and competed in the long jump. She earned National Champion and All-American honors while gaining valuable experience at the national level. Despite the heat and humidity, she thoroughly enjoyed taking in the sights and charm of Savannah, including a day trip to Tybee Island.
Vergil, now 13-years-old, is the daughter of Buck and Molly Vergil and is a seventh-grade student at St. Agnes Academy. In addition to track and field, she participates in cross country, basketball, and swimming. Outside of athletics, she enjoys reading, art, spending time with friends, and hiking and camping with her family and their golden retriever, Birdie
Her 2026 track and field season is off to a strong start, with first place finishes in all of her individual events. She currently competes in the 1600 meters, 800 meters, 400 meters, high jump, and long jump - holding St. Agnes Academy school records in each event. She’s learning the hurdles and shot put and plans to compete in the pentathlon for the first time this summer.
Vergil and her family extend their appreciation to her coaches, friends, family and the Alliance community for their continued support and encouragement.