PREVIEW: WPIAL Championships 2023

Individuals: Whatever Drew Griffith runs in the morning, Ryan Pajak (Ringgold) may try to better it. Its unlikely that he'll have a challenge to his District title.  Patrick Burgos (Elizabeth Forward), Dale Hall (Hampton), Julian Kletz (Montour), Clark Lalomia (Quaker Valley), Michael Braun (Freeport) and Giacomo Lepore (North Catholic) could all contend for second. Collectively, they are a very talented group of athletes. Dale Hall just out-kicked Patrick Burgos to win the TSTCA Championship

Teams: PA #4 Hampton will look to defend its district title. PA #20 Quaker Valley, Montour, Beaver Area, Kiski

Individuals: Truth be told, Drew Griffith could run something phenomenal enroute to his second straight District Championship. He ran 14:21 a couple of weeks ago to set the state record, and then 15:09 last week to set the new White Oak Park course record. At the very least, that mark will get shattered. 

Griffith will be in a league of his own, but Jack Bertram (North Allegheny) will look to run a fast time as well. He'll look to lock up second place. Others to watch include Rowan Gwin, Ethan Vaughan and Alaa-Eddine Guetari.

Teams: PA #11 Butler and PA #6 North Allegheny could be close with each other in the team scoring. North Allegheny beat Butler by less than five points at the TSTCA Championship last weekend. Also watch Fox Chapel Area and Norwin.

Girls' Notes and Ones to Watch

Individuals: Chelsea Hartman (Shady Side) is the defending district champion and Lexi Fluharty (Riverside) is the returning runner-up. Hartman has run 18:36 this year, while Fluharty is coming off of a 19:06 that propelled her to the win at the TSTCA Championship. Others to watch include Hope Haring (Eden Christian), and Alexis Abbett (Aquinas). 

Teams: Our Lady of Sacred Heart, Winchester Thurston, Eden Christian, Riverview

Individuals: Grace Fritzman (West Allegheny) surprised and won the TSCTA Championship last week. She may be the favorite at Districts. Annabel Johnson (Woodland Hills), Gracie Plastino (North Catholic), Grace Trimmer (Uniontown) and Lakyn Schaltenbrand (Montour) may all contend with her.

Teams: PA #17 Montour, PA #19 North Catholic, Beaver Area, Quaker Valley, Hampton

Individuals: Logan St. John Kletter should find herself at the front of the pack early. She is the defending District Champion. Also keep an eye on Eva Kynaston (North Allegheny), Wren Kucler (North Allegheny), Robin Kucler (North Allegheny), Eliza Miller (Kiski), Annie Czajkowski (Norwin) and Caroline Adams (Mount Lebanon).

Teams: PA #1 North Allegheny, PA #3 Norwin, PA #12 Mount Lebanon, PA #13 Peters Township, PA #16 Upper Saint Clair,  Moon. 7 Teams will compete for 3 Qualifying spots. Unfortunately four very strong teams won't head to the State Championship.

2022 Winners - Individuals | Teams

1A Boys: 16:39.3 - Sean Aiken (Eden Christian '23) | Our Lady of Sacred Heart

2A Boys: 15:43.9 - Ryan Pajak (Ringgold '24) | Hampton

3A Boys: 15:17.2 - Drew Griffith (Butler '24) | North Allegheny

1A Girls: 19:29.1 - Chelsea Hartman (Shady Side '24) | Winchester Thurston

2A Girls: 18:12 - JoJo Quarzo (Brownsville '23) | Montour

3A Girls: 18:22 - Logan St. John Kletter (Mount Lebanon '24) | North Allegheny