Hershey High School’s tradition in the throwing events will continue at the collegiate level, as seniors Quintin Pinkerton, Michael Salinas, and Addison Frederick have each signed to compete in track and field following graduation.
Pinkerton will compete at Nebraska Wesleyan University, Salinas will throw for the University of Nebraska at Kearney, and Frederick will continue her career at Hastings College.
Pinkerton has been a consistent contributor for the Panther track and field program and will take his talents to Nebraska Wesleyan University in Lincoln, an NCAA Division III program competing in the American Rivers Conference. Nebraska Wesleyan has enjoyed recent national success in track and field, including an NCAA Division III outdoor national championship, providing Pinkerton the opportunity to compete in a strong and tradition-rich program.
Salinas heads to the University of Nebraska at Kearney, where he will compete for the Lopers, an NCAA Division II program and member of the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA).
A two-time NSAA Class C State Track & Field Championship qualifier, Salinas showed steady improvement on the state’s biggest stage. At the 2024 NSAA State Championships, he recorded a shot put throw of 50 feet, 6½ inches, before improving to 54 feet, 8½ inches at the 2025 state meet and placing 5th in Class C. During his senior season, Salinas also posted a school record mark of 58-6¼ in the shot put, showing him to be among the top throwers in Class C competition.
Frederick will continue her throwing career at Hastings College, an NAIA member of the Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC). Hastings has a strong tradition in the throws and recently invested in facility upgrades to support its track and field program.
Frederick qualified for the NSAA Class C State Track & Field Championships in the shot put and discus her junior year, throwing 119-11 in the discus and placing 4th overall in Class C. She recorded several notable performances at invitational and district meets, including throws beyond 36 feet in the shot put and 120 feet in the discus, and was recognized locally for her leadership and all-around excellence.
With three seniors signing to compete across NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III, and NAIA programs, Hershey High School continues to build a strong reputation in the throwing events. Pinkerton, Salinas, and Frederick will carry Panther pride with them as they take the next step in their athletic and academic journeys!