Hornets Pride: 5 Unforgettable Athletes From Emmaus High School

Sports run deep in Lower Macungie, and Emmaus High School has long been at the heart of it. It’s no surprise some standout talent once wore the Hornets uniform. Today, we're celebrating five unforgettable athletes from Emmaus High School who made a name for themselves well beyond the hometown field.

1. Nicole Reinhart – Professional Cyclist

A fondly remembered Hornet, Reinhart was an accomplished athlete at Emmaus High School, where she thrived in cross-country, track and field before turning her talents to cycling. After graduating from high school, Reinhart decided to focus on cycling, winning three junior championships in a row and three medals at the 1996 Pan American Games. Tragically, she lost her life at the age of 24 in a cycling accident in Massachusetts, but her spirit lives on in the Nicole Reinhart Memorial Fund. (Sources: velo.outsideonline.com, thevelodrome.co)

2. Cindy Werley – Olympic Field Hockey Player

Werley proudly donned the green and gold colors of Emmaus High School, where she dominated field hockey. After graduation, she enrolled in the University of North Carolina, leading the school to two NCAA Championships and even competed in the 1996 Olympics while still a student there. Werley was named ACC Player of the Year and won silver at both the 1995 and 1999 Pan American Games. (Sources: olympics.com, mcall.com)

3. Aaron Gray – NBA Center (Chicago Bulls, Toronto Raptors)

A known Hornet, Gray excelled at Emmaus High School basketball, where he was named Pennsylvania’s Gatorade State Player of the year as a senior before moving on to the University of Pittsburgh. There, he continued to excel in basketball, was named a Big East Academic All-Star and eventually played for the Chicago Bulls and the Toronto Raptors. Today, he is retired from basketball and works as a coach. (Sources: pittsburghpanthers.com, usab.com)

4. Meredith Sholder – Olympic Field Hockey Midfielder (Team USA)

During her time at Emmaus High School, Sholder shone in field hockey, leading the Hornets to four district championships and three conference championships. After graduation, Sholder attended the University of North Carolina, where she continued to flourish in the sport she loved and earned All-American Honors. She then represented Team USA in field hockey at the 2024 Paris Olympics and won silver at two world championships. (Sources: usafieldhockey.com, goheels.com)

5. Keith Dorney- NFL Offensive Tackle (Detroit Lions)

One of Emmaus High School’s most memorable Hornets, Dorney, played on the school's Leigh Valley League Championship team and later attended Penn State. There, he was named an All-American at offensive tackle and helped the Nittany Lions compile a 22-2 record before being drafted by the Detroit Lions in 1979 and playing with them for 9 seasons. He retired today and coaches at a local high school in Santa Rosa, California. (Sources: pro-football-reference.com, footballfoundation.org)

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