When Janae (Dunchack) McGuirk joined the women’s track and field program at Dartmouth College, she had a basic question for her coaches.
What’s the pentathlon? The heptathlon?
A four-time PIAA Class 2A champion in the high jump at Northern Cambria High School and a multi-sport standout on the state level with the Colts, McGuirk hadn’t encountered either event throughout her scholastic career.
“I thought I was going to Dartmouth for high jump, long jump or maybe some sprinting,” McGuirk said. “When I got there, they’re like, ‘Hey, we’re going to try to make you into a ‘multi’ (event competitor) and have you do the pentathlon or heptathlon.’
“I said, ‘What is that?’ ”