Slippery Rock University is celebrating National Women in Sports Day this weekend.

And well it should.

The success of females in athletics in Butler County alone over recent times has been nothing short of incredible.

Looking just at basketball right now, Butler graduate Olivia Bresnahan is in the starting lineup at Duquesne, Casie Cygan is closing in on the scoring record at La Roche with freshman teammate Mackenzie O’Donnell having a stellar year with her.

Slippery Rock graduate Jence Rhoads continues an outstanding career overseas while younger sister Karly surpassed 1,000 points at Kentucky Wesleyan.

Mars graduate Elaine Hasek has developed into the best player on the Waynesburg University roster.

Karns City’s girls have lost only one game this season and have balance reminiscent of the Gremlin’s state championship team of 14 years ago.

Slippery Rock’s girls have emerged as a District 10 title contender with plenty of talent.

In soccer, Butler’s Macy Stalnaker recently signed with Big 12 powerhouse West Virginia. Seneca Valley graduate Alex Bilka and Butler grad Taylor Troyan are setting records with the Penn State Behrend program.

Speaking of records, Mars product Mani Brueckner is re-writing the record book at Gannon, breaking marks previously set by Knoch grad Amanda Sharbaugh.

Knoch senior Celina Sanks is headed to Eastern Kentucky for volleyball, Slippery Rock senior Emily Campbell to Wake Forest to throw the shot put and discus.

Butler grad Paige Allen is setting indoor track records as a freshman at Penn State Behrend.

Freeport grad Carlie Bieranowski has been a leader on the successful Clarion University volleyball team.

Of course, we cannot forget Mars grad Maggie Gruber, who won multiple state and WPIAL titles before taking her swimming talents to Virginia Tech.

Some girls have competed favorably on boys teams. Wrestlers Kayla Brendlinger and Brittney Faust did so at Slippery Rock and Knoch, respectively, before becoming teammates at King College.

Goaltender Katie Hill and defenseman Cassie Suran have been regular contributors to Freeport hockey’s successful start this season.

There are other success stories involving Butler County female athletes that haven’t been mentioned in this space. It seems fitting that one, Butler and University of Connecticut soccer standout Meghan Schnur, is the first and currently lone Butler County athlete in the WPIAL Hall of Fame.

Longtime women coaches know female sports haven’t always been like this.

So for the young girls taking part in National Women in Sports Day activities? Set your goals high.

The bar has certainly been raised for you.