Tabitha Bemis, a former Quaker Valley athlete who won 43 medals in various sports, will be inducted into the Quaker Valley Sports Hall of Fame in October. Bemis, who graduated in 2010, excelled in track and field, gymnastics, diving and cheerleading during her high school career.
A sensational high school career
Bemis was a four-year letter winner in track and field and cheerleading, and a three-year letter winner in gymnastics and diving. She competed in multiple events in track and field, such as long jump, triple jump, high jump, hurdles and relays. She was a two-time PIAA champion and runner-up in the long jump as a senior, earning first-team all-state honors. She also won multiple WPIAL and PIAA medals in other events, including the triple jump, high jump and 100-meter hurdles.
In gymnastics, Bemis was a two-time WPIAL champion and PIAA medalist in the vault. She also qualified for the state championships in the uneven bars, balance beam and floor exercise. In diving, she was a two-time WPIAL and PIAA medalist, finishing as high as third place at the state level. She also participated in cheerleading for four years, serving as a captain in her senior year.
Bemis holds several school records in track and field and gymnastics. She ranks as one of the all-time leading medal winners in WPIAL and PIAA history, with a total of 43 medals, including 18 gold.
A successful collegiate career
Bemis continued her athletic career at Edinboro University, where she competed in track and field for four years. She was a four-time NCAA Division II All-American in the long jump and the pentathlon. She also earned All-PSAC honors in multiple events, such as the triple jump, high jump, 60-meter hurdles and 4×400-meter relay. She holds several school records in indoor and outdoor track and field.
Bemis graduated from Edinboro in 2014 with a bachelor’s degree in health and physical education. She then pursued a master’s degree in exercise science at Slippery Rock University, where she also served as a graduate assistant coach for the track and field team from 2015 to 2017.
A current coach and mentor
Bemis is now a full-time assistant coach for the track and field team at Slippery Rock University. She coaches the jumps and combined-event athletes, as well as the sprints and hurdles. She has helped several athletes achieve conference titles, school records and national qualifications.
Bemis said she is honored and excited to be inducted into the Quaker Valley Sports Hall of Fame. She credited her coaches and support system for her achievements. She said she is grateful to have been surrounded and lifted up by such wonderful people.
Bemis will be inducted into the Quaker Valley Sports Hall of Fame on the weekend of Oct. 13-14. The 2023 class will be recognized Oct. 13 at the Quakers’ home football game against West Mifflin. A banquet will be held to applaud QV’s newest HOF members at 11 a.m. Oct. 14 at Edgeworth Club.
