Photo by Nick Henthorn Buckeye Local’s Jenna DelVecchio, middle, signed with the Youngstown State Penguins on Wednesday inside Buckeye Local High School. DelVecchio will join the Penguins as part of their track and field team. From left is father Doug, Jenna DelVecchio, and mother Julie.

RAYLAND — With her senior track and field season still ahead of her, the path beyond is already paved for Buckeye Local’s Jenna DelVecchio.

The Panther track and field senior held a public signing ceremony Wednesday inside Buckeye Local High School, committing to Youngstown State to continue her speedy ways in college.

“I’m feeling really excited about it,” DelVecchio said after the ceremony, attended by family, friends and coaches. “I’m just glad that I can now enjoy the rest of my senior year without being stressed out on which school I want to pick and where I want to go.”

DelVecchio said she was going back-and-forth between two colleges, but ultimately felt Youngstown State was the right fit for her. Buckeye Local girls track coach Donnie Yeager agreed.

“The work that Jenna has done is incredible,” Yeager said. “She has broken the school records for the 100 hurdles and the 300 hurdles multiple times, and she’s done nothing but work hard since she got here. Youngstown State is going to be a great fit for her,I know that she has worked so hard for this and she’s wanted this, and I mean, she’s going to fit right in up there for the track program with the Penguins.

“I’m excited to see what she does, but I mean, we have a season here, too, where she’s going to get to break in this new track and keep setting records and keep going from there. So it’s going to be a great season. I’m so proud of her because she’s done nothing but work since she got here. She’s overcome adversity. She’s overcome injuries, and she’s a great kid and a great athlete, great family.”

DelVecchio, who holds the program record for the 100-meter hurdles and 300-meter hurdles, is a district champion, OVAC champion (and 4A record holder in the 100-meter hurdles), and a state qualifier with her senior season still ahead of her.

“Getting to states last year made me realize a lot and learn a lot that, you know, obviously my hard work isn’t over yet and I’m gonna strive to be better on the track and just get faster.”

The future Penguin plans to become a physical therapist after college.