The Sprint and Hurdle Events:

Conor McFadden was named the National Athlete of the Week, presented by Trackbarn, following his performance at the PTFCA Championship. He ran to a US No. 5 mark to win the 200m and incredible legs in the 4x200m and 4x400m relays. Central Bucks West would finish first and second in those relays, respectively.

Avery Lewis (Friend's Central) proved why she is one of the best High School Athletes in the country. She broke her own state record twice in the 60m.

In the Hurdles - Darion Baumgartner (Chambersburg) dominated to win the state title (7.89). Antonio Votour (Our Lady of Sacred Heart), Anthony Collins (Harry Truman), and Trevon Foster (Pottsgrove) all battled for second and finished within three-hundredths of one another (8.03-8.06). They finished in that order.

On the girls' side, Macaela Walker (Oxford) and Aubrey Leneweaver (Haverford) dueled in the finals. Walker came out on top - clearing the 60 meters worth of hurdles in 8.63. Leneweaver finished in second with a time of 8.77.

Read the Full Sprints Recap.

The Distance Events:

In the Boys' 800m - Jacob Puhalla (Mars Area) was aggressive in the first heat. The meet was run slow to fast, so he knew he would have to run a fast time to score or potentially defend his state title. He put it on the line and ran a gutsy 1:54.99. Aidan Hodge (Hempfield 3) nearly ran him down by the finish - but Puhalla could hang on, and the two would eventually finish in fourth and fifth overall. Jameson Todd (Bishop Shanahan) joined them on the podium from the first heat.

Watch the second heat of the boys' 800m above.

Michael Woolery (Episcopal Academy) was also aggressive from the start, which paid off for him. Knowing he couldn't let the race fall to strategy - he made it a racer's race and was able to out-edge TJ Roden (Central Dauphin) for the win in 1:52.83. Anthony Engle finished in third with a 1:54.91.

In the Girl's race - underclassmen ruled the roost. Sophomore friends and rivals Alli DeLisi (Penn Charter) and Olivia Cieslak (Haverford Township) went toe-to-toe to the line, where an initial visual couldn't decide the victory. The pack paraded around the track as a pack before DeLisi, Cieslak, and freshman Gwen Hamilton (Archbishop Wood) could deliver a fast last lap to decide their finishing order. The official FAT timing would name DeLisi, the winner by just one-hundredth of a second over Cieslak.

DeLisi's time of 2:11.84 is the fourth fastest by a sophomore in PA History, Cieslak's time is fifth, and Hamilton ran the fifth fastest time by a freshman all-time.

Then in the mile - Logan St. John Kletter (Mount Lebanon) took the girls' field by storm. She was nothing short of brilliant - running 4:53.21 to finish four seconds before the runner-up - Harley Kletz (Montour).

The boys' mile didn't disappoint either; we discussed that historic battle last week.

The Girls' 3K looked similar to the Girls' Mile. JoJo Quarzo (Brownsville) got out quickly and led from start to finish, crossing the line at 9:43.13. She finished four seconds ahead of St. John Kletter, who doubled back from her mile championship. Natalie McLean (Pine Richland) finished in third with her 9:49.22 mark. Quarzo's mark is the 14th fastest in the nation this year.

Watch Pajak and DiCola duel in the Boys' 3k

Ryan Pajak (Ringgold) will get his State Championship, but it must wait longer. The junior is always a contender for a state title, and he did his all to earn his first in the 3K. Still, Brian DiCola (Hatboro Horsham), coming off of a runner-up finish in the mile, threw down a wicked 57-second last 400m to snatch the championship from Pajak's grasp. DiCola finished in 8:26.34, while Pajak finished second in 8:27.99. Colin Whitaker (Lampeter Strasburg) and Rory Lieberman (Danville), who led early, finished in third and fourth, respectively. 

The boys' 3K was arguably one of the best fields of the championship, featuring eight boys under 8:40. 

In the Distance Relay Events - Episcopal rose to the occasion in the 4x800m and scored victory despite controversy. We detailed that finish in our recap of Episcopal Academy's State Title Winning Meet.

Watch J.P. McCaskey beat State College at the line of the Girls' 4x800m

J.P. McCaskey was dominant in the girls' mid-distance relays. They scored victories in both the 4x400m and 4x800m relays. They dominated the 4x400m, but the 4x800m relay came down to the wire. They were narrowly able to edge out State College Area - who was amongst the favorites entering the championship meet. McCaskey's 9:18.60 is a US No. 12 performance.

Haverford Township - skipped the 4x800m to better their chances of winning the Distance Medley Relay, and they delivered. Cieslak was able to outkick the anchor leg for State College to deliver the Distance Medley Relay in 12:16.31. 

Haverford Township won late over Episcopal Academy in the boys' Distance Medley Relay to complete the DMR Sweep. Patrick Lawson was clutch for Haverford - moving through the field late. He anchored Haverford home to the fastest PA DMR of the season in 10:22.01. He held off a late-charging Episcopal Academy contingent who finished in 10:23.53.

The Jumps and Vaults:

Sophomore Xavier McGreal (Kennett) saved his best for last, jumping a personal best 6-6 in the State Championship meet to win the title and move himself to sole possession of the PA #1 slot. He also tied the Sophomore Class No. 3 All-Time mark.

He is the first Sophomore to win the event since Kolt Byers (Bermudian Springs) did so in 2018. Byers also cleared 6-6 in his State Championship-winning performance.

On the Girl's side, Sara McConnell (River Valley) surprised the field. She cleared 5-5 for the first time in the previous week but was able to clear 5-6 at the championship to claim a US No. 35 mark and claim the High Jump Title.

Luca Bertolasio (Hickory) narrowly held off the Boys' Long jump competition. He cleared 23-02, while Kyle Moore (Emmaus) cleared 23-00.25. The margin of victory was 1.75 inches.

As expected - Avery Lewis scored the victory in the girls' long jump. She eased her way to a 19-06.5 mark, which won by just under a foot.

Sophomore JJ Kelly (Chambersburg) dominated the field in the Triple jump - as he jumped PA No. 1 and US No. 10 47-10.25. He cleared the field by three feet. Jared Hess (Pennridge) finished second, while Samuel Chedester (Easton) finished third.

Taylor Forbes (North Penn) upset Ava Alexander (West Chester Rustin) in the girls' Triple jump, delivering a mark of 39-00.25, a lifetime best and US No. 39 mark. Alexander still managed a 38-11.50, which was a strong mark considering she was busy on track throughout the day. 

In the boys' pole vault - Logan Gossard (Richland) defeated Andrew Layton (Waynesburg Central) in attempts as both boys cleared 15-06. Breckin Swope (East Pennsboro) and Bradon Schneider (Erie) finished in third and fourth, respectively, with marks of 15 feet.

Katie Urbine (Solanco) set a meet record in the girls' pole vault. She cleared 13-6 to beat a strong field and defend her state title. Veronica Vacca (Mount Saint Joseph) finished in second, while the Villa Maria Academy teammates of Maddy Kelley  and Mary Cate Doughty finished in third and fourth.

The Shot Put:

On the boys' side - Brady Mider (Berks Catholic) put an exclamation mark on his dominant 2023 campaign. Still undefeated, Mider won eight meets this year and the state title by just over a foot. His teammate Alex Witmer joined him on the podium - finishing in sixth.

Gian Greggo (Pen Argyl) finished in second, which was a surprise. He had not thrown further than 49-5.5 all year but threw an unexpected 56-1, which stands as a US No. 61. We look forward to how he carries that momentum into the outdoor season.

Kyree Butler (Upper Dublin) finished in third with a mark of 55-01.75.

Watch the Girls' Shot

Justley Sharp (Homer Center) held Alexa Brown (Strath Haven) off to win the State Title. She was the favorite coming in - and didn't let that rattle her. She remained composed and steady - throwing 44-06 to win. 

She needed to have a strong outing - and she did.