It presents a challenge which Bellefonte’s Althea Helms has grown to understand well. Despite said challenge, Helms has displayed immediate growth in the event, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s gotten easier.

“Each time you run the 400, you think that’s as tired as you’ll ever be,” laughed Helms. “Then, the next time you run it, it’s like, ‘I guess I’m more tired than the last time.'”

That aforementioned core aspect doesn’t apply to Helms. With under a year of experience competing in the 400 at the high school level, the Red Raider took home a District 6 Class AAA title in 2024, running a PR of 58.22 in the finals to qualify for states as a freshman.

Then, in 2025, she’d qualify again, falling short of a title but surpassing the state-qualifying standard for the third time in her career with a new PR of 57.38. With two runners – Somerset senior Kamryn Ross and Hollidaysburg senior Emily Clapper – in front of her, it was a case of great competition pushing her past her perceived limit.

TIM WEIGHT/ For The Express Bellefonte’s Althea Helms competes in the 400 earlier this year.

And with the effort, she’s now set to compete in Shippensburg for the second time in her short high school career.

“Coming around that last stretch, I was just thinking, ‘Can I catch the girl in front of me?’ and I didn’t. But that’s definitely what pulled me through to the end,” said Helms on the race. “I hit the last 20 to 30 meters and my legs shut off. I thought I was going to topple over. I could feel it was a PR because of how tired my legs were.”

Since joining the program in 2024, Helms has been as consistent as they come but really kicks it up a notch when the lights are brightest. Of her five top times in the 400, three have occurred in either districts or states, with her first and second best both taking place at Altoona’s Mansion Park.

When asked about her success in that regard, mindset has come into play. Head coach Seth Miller and the Bellefonte coaching staff have helped her control her nerves ahead of races, and that’s helped her prevail even when the stakes are high.

“I’m a really anxious racer. It’s like a joke; I always get really anxious before races. So, definitely learning how to – not get rid of it because it helps you run well – but being able to not have it overtake your actual race,” said Helms. “It’s just the mindset beforehand, being confident, knowing that you have good training and that’s what you’ve been building up to.”

TIM WEIGHT/For The Express Bellefonte’s Althea Helms talks to one of her coaches during a meet earlier this season. Helms is heading to the state meet this year in the 400.

Alongside controlling her nerves and remaining confident, maintaining a positive mentality no matter how she’s feeling before or after a race and a strong work ethic have helped with her consistency. She’s proud of her accomplishments through the first half of her high school career and heads into her second state meet with plenty of confidence.

PIAA NEWCOMERS

As Helms, junior Victoria Schellenberg and senior Zane Hummel prepare to make their returns to Shippensburg, two Red Raiders will be joining them in their respective debuts. Juniors Madison Miller (javelin) and Addison Fry (800) each clutched out state-qualifying marks to punch their first tickets last Thursday and look forward to competing under the season’s brightest lights for the first time.

For Fry, an exciting race, one which saw its top four racers finish within a second of each other, helped propel her to new heights. Through her junior year, she had qualified for states in cross county before falling just short during the indoor season, so the accomplishment was momentous.

“I felt really good during the first lap and just tried to stick with the girls in front,” said Fry. “I’m so excited, really excited. It’s an awesome event.”

“She’s a phenomenal runner and glad to see her making it in the 800, her premiere event,” said Bellefonte head coach Seth Miller on Fry. “It was a heck of a race.”

Both athletes will look to leave a mark at the event, as the team as a whole brings five to Shippensburg despite seeing a lot of great athletes depart following last season. Like 2024, it should be a memorable run for the Red Raiders.