2024 PIAA Championship Preview: Shot Put, Javelin and Discus

Girls' Throws Preview | Boys' Throws Preview

Editor's Prediction: Alex Polenik stuns the field by throwing 58-8 to win the 2A title.

In 2023, Clark Gulycz (Allentown Central Catholic) finished second at the PIAA championship, he threw 53-2. Now, that mark may finish outside the top-five. But for Gulycz, that might be okay.

In 2024 he improved tremendously and now sports a personal best of 59-6, the best in 2A. Coming off of a District 11 Title, he'll be the favorite heading into the weekend.

The District 6 Champion, Alex Polenik (Penns Manor) is coming off a personal best weekend. He threw 56-10.25 to win the District 6 Title. District 9's Connor Brown (Kane) and District 7's Colton Fedrizzi (Shenango) are both coming off of District wins themselves and they'll be looking to steal the big title on Saturday.

2A Boys Discus - Friday 12:30 PM

Editor's Prediction: With team championship hopes on the line, Burkett out-throws Polenik by mere inches, 172-3 to 171-9.

Alex Polenik (Penns Manor) may be a contender in the shot put, but he is currently the favorite in the discus throw. He is the top returner from the 2023 championship and has thrown 173-6 this season.

His only loss of the year came to 3A's Peyton Murray (Hempfield). 

Palmerton's Ryan Burkett is probably the only thrower that can give Polenik a run for his money. Burkett threw 171-5 at the Blue Mountain Invitational in April and has put together two straight 168-foot throws in the last two weeks. If that translates to the circle on Friday, he could walk away as a champion.

2A Boys Javelin - Friday 9 AM

Editor's Prediction: Krainak continues his hot-season with a new personal best 217-9 to win the PIAA Crown.

Those District 4 boys know how to throw a javelin. Bronson Krainak (Danville) and Lincoln Huber (Central Columbia) are the two favorites in the 2A Javelin Throw.

Krainak, a Wichita State commit, threw a huge personal best of 215-8 to win the District 4 Championship. That moves him up to the US No. 3 slot.

Huber is ranked in the US No. 5 spot. Back in March, Huber threw a javelin 211-1 at the Breslin Invitational. He powered to a second place finish at the District 4 Championship with a throw of 202-4 last week.

Luke Stevenosky (Minersville) is probably the only boy who can break up the District 4 party. He has thrown over 200-feet twice this year. He most recently did it at the Schuylkill League Championship a couple of weeks ago. If he has a strong day, he could surprise some onlookers.

3A Boys Shot Put - Friday 12:30 PM

Editor's Prediction: Brady Mider takes care of business. With his first throw, he heaves a winning shot 62-5.5.

Brady Mider (Berks Catholic) has been the best shot put thrower all year. There is no reason that should change this weekend. Mider has been on fire, and has eclipsed the 60-foot barrier seven times this season. If he puts it all together, he could easily score a personal best and the PIAA crown early in the competition.

Luke Ellor (Spring Ford) is the only other 3A boy to eclipse the elusive 60-foot mark. He won the Pioneer Athletic Conference Championship with a mark of 60-0. He then backed up that effort with a District 1 Championship.

Other Contenders Include: Jaden Kirkwood (New Castle), Mason Miles (Fox Chapel), Peyton Murray (Hempfield 7), Colin Melhorn (Selinsgrove), Jake Kelly (Archbishop Ryan) and Logan Wegman (Exeter).

3A Boys Discus - Saturday 12:30 PM

Editor's Prediction: Peyton Murray relies on his consistency. He doesn't throw a PR, but another strong mark in the 180s is enough to hold off Sarnowski and co.

Two District 7 boys may steal the show on Saturday. Matthew Sarnowski (Penn Trafford) and Peyton Murray (Hempfield 7) have traded blows all season. At the District 7 Championship, Sarnowski came out on top, winning the WPIAL title with a throw of 185-10. That was his first time throwing over 180.

Murray was second with a 181-03. That was his first loss since April 18th. He has thrown further than 180-0, five times this year. We expect these two to go throw-for-throw in Shippensburg this year.

Other Contenders include Gavin Schmidt (Strath Haven), Brady Mider (Berks Catholic) and Josiah Newman-Kegerise (Exeter).

3A Boys Javelin - Saturday 9 AM

Editor's Prediction: Guzman runs away with it. He throws another personal best, 210-1 to win the 3A Boys Javelin title.

It is Samuell Guzman's (Hazleton) time to shine. After finishing fifth at last year's 3A State Championship, Guzman has turned up the heat in 2024. He scored his first 200-foot toss at the WVC Championships (201-9) and followed that up with a throw of 207-8 to win the District 2 Title.

No other boy in 3A has even eclipsed 195-0 to this point.

Nathan Haas (State College) has the second best throw in 3A. He rang one up for 192-11 at the District 6 Championship. He also won the D6 title in the discus.

Other contenders include District 11 Champion Thomas Lloyd (Whitehall) and District 3 Champion Jackson Hersh (South Western).