Pittsburgh, Pa. – The Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League (WPIAL) concluded the 2024-25 fall season with eight titles at the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) Championships, bringing home gold in boys’ cross country, boys’ golf, girls’ golf, and girls’ volleyball.
The WPIAL’s trophy haul included five team and three individual championships. Below is a brief recap of the league’s performance at each PIAA tournament.
FOOTBALL
The WPIAL’s 31-year streak of producing at least one PIAA football champion came to an end this season, as the league claimed a pair of runner-up finishes at Chapman Field on the campus of Cumberland Valley High School with Central Catholic in Class 6A and Avonworth in Class 3A.
Central Catholic reached their eighth PIAA championship game in program history, but fell to District XII champion St. Joseph’s Prep, 35-6, on Saturday, Dec. 7. The Vikings opened the tournament with a 41-19 victory against District VI champion State College in the quarterfinals, and then topped District III champion Harrisburg, 38-33, to reach the championship game. The win over Harrisburg was Central Catholic’s 19th in the PIAA Championships, which gave it sole possession of the top spot among WPIAL schools.
Avonworth nearly claimed its first PIAA title in its second championship game appearance, but District XI champion Northwestern Lehigh outlasted the Antelopes in overtime, 36-33, on Saturday, Dec. 7. Avonworth needed one win to make it to Chapman Field, accomplishing that with a 16-6 triumph over District VI champion Penn Cambria in the semifinals.
Four WPIAL champions saw their seasons end in the PIAA semifinals. Thomas Jefferson claimed a 35-0 win over District IX champion in the Class 4A quarterfinals before falling the following week, while Fort Cherry (Class 1A), Pine-Richland (Class 5A), and South Park (Class 2A) all dropped their first PIAA game.
GIRLS’ VOLLEYBALL
At the PIAA Girls’ Volleyball Championships, the WPIAL claimed half of the four titles and added a runner-up finish at Cumberland Valley High School. North Allegheny won its eighth consecutive PIAA title at Class 4A, while Greensburg Central Catholic capped an impressive postseason by winning Class 1A.
North Allegheny now has 11 PIAA titles (1992, 1993, 1994, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024), which is the second most all-time among WPIAL schools behind Norwin’s 12. Greensburg Central Catholic is now a three-time PIAA champion (2014, 2016, 2024), which is tied for fifth in the WPIAL.
This marks the 15th time overall and the fifth time since 2017 that the WPIAL has produced multiple PIAA girls’ volleyball champions. The WPIAL now has 55 total PIAA girls’ volleyball championships on its mantle.
North Allegheny continued its dominance of PIAA Class 4A with a 3-1 victory over District I fifth-place Spring-Ford in the championship match on Saturday, Nov. 16. The Tigers reached the final with wins over District III fourth-place Manheim Township (3-0) in the first round, District I runner-up Bishop Shanahan (3-1) in the quarterfinals, and District III champion Hempfield (3-0) in the semifinals. North Catholic also qualified as the WPIAL runner-up and fell in the first round.
Greensburg Central Catholic brought the WPIAL its first PIAA Class 1A title since 2016 with a 3-2 triumph over District III champion Linville Hill on Saturday, Nov. 16. The Centurions, who entered the WPIAL tournament as the Section IV runner-up, defeated District IX runner-up Clarion Limestone (3-1) in the first round, District VI champion West Branch (3-0) in the quarterfinals, and WPIAL runner-up Frazier (3-2) in the semifinals. Frazier topped District X champion Saegertown (3-2) and District IX champion Clarion (3-0) to reach the semifinals, while Eden Christian Academy bowed out in the first round.
Mars reached the Class 3A championship match, only to fall to District I champion Pope John Paul II, 3-1, on Saturday, Nov. 16. The Fightin’ Planets punched their title tilt ticket with wins against District VI champion Central Mountain (3-0) in the first round, WPIAL third-place Hampton (3-2) in the quarterfinals, and WPIAL runner-up Beaver (3-0) in the semifinals. Beaver topped District IX champion DuBois (3-1) and District III champion Greencastle Antrim (3-0) to reach the semifinals, while Hampton opened the tournament with a 3-2 victory over District X champion Meadville.
Southmoreland was the lone WPIAL school to advance a round in the Class 2A bracket, as the Scotties defeated District V champion North Star, 3-2, in the first round. Quaker Valley, Hopewell, and Neshannock all dropped their first match.
BOYS’ SOCCER
The WPIAL saw two of its teams reach their respective PIAA championship games at Eagle View Middle School, with Moon in Class 3A and Bentworth in Class 1A settling for runner-up finishes.
Moon fell in the Class 3A title tilt on Friday, Nov. 15 to District I champion Radnor, 1-0. The Tigers made it to the championship game with a trio of one-goal wins, defeating District III fourth-place Lampeter-Strasburg (2-1) in the first round, District VIII champion Allderdice (2-1, OT) in the quarterfinals, and District III champion Conrad Weiser (1-0) in the semifinals. Franklin Regional and Mars also qualified out of the WPIAL, with the Panthers topping District VI champion Bellefonte, 6-0, to reach the quarterfinals.
Bentworth dropped the Class 1A championship game in heartbreaking fashion, falling to District III runner-up Lancaster Mennonite in overtime, 1-0, on Friday, Nov. 15. The Bearcats didn’t allow a goal in the lead-up to the title game, besting District VI champion Westmont Hilltop (1-0) in the first round, District X champion Mercyhurst Prep (1-0) in the quarterfinals, and District V champion McConnellsburg (2-0) in the semifinals. Our Lady of the Sacred Heart was a quarterfinalist following a 1-0 win over District IX champion Brockway in the opening round, while Eden Christian Academy fell in the first round.
In Class 2A, Avonworth was the best finishing team from the WPIAL after reaching the semifinals. The Antelopes topped District V champion Bedford, 6-1, in the first round, then outlasted District X champion Fairview in a penalty shootout, 5-4, following a 1-1 quarterfinal scoreline. South Park and Deer Lakes both lost their opening matches.
Fox Chapel and Plum both reached the Class 4A quarterfinals. The Foxes were 3-0 winners against District III fourth-place Mechanicsburg in the first round, while the Mustangs topped District X champion McDowell in penalty kicks, 5-4, following scoreless regulation and overtime periods.
GIRLS’ SOCCER
Springdale was the top finishing WPIAL team at the PIAA Girls’ Soccer Championships at Eagle View Middle School, earning a runner-up finish at Class 1A.
Springdale dropped a 4-3 decision to District I champion Dock Mennonite in the Class 1A championship game on Friday, Nov. 15. The Dynamos began the tournament with a first-round win over District V runner-up Conemaugh Township (2-2, 3-2 PK), then topped District VI champion Bishop Guilfoyle (2-0) in the quarterfinals and WPIAL third-place Seton LaSalle (4-0) in the semifinals. Seton LaSalle made the semifinals with wins over District V champion McConnellsburg (2-1, OT) and District IX champion Karns City (1-0), while Winchester Thurston fell in the first round.
Mars reached the semifinals to lead the WPIAL in Class 3A, picking up wins over District X champion Harbor Creek (5-0) in the first round and WPIAL champion South Fayette (1-0) in the quarterfinals. The Lions and Fox Chapel both were quarterfinalists, with South Fayette beating District IX champion DuBois (5-0) and the Foxes besting District VI champion Hollidaysburg (5-1).
At Class 2A, Quaker Valley was a semifinalist with wins over District X runner-up Fort LeBoeuf (2-0) in the first round and District III runner-up Trinity (3-0) in the quarterfinals. North Catholic reached the quarterfinals with a 2-1 overtime triumph against District V champion Bedford, and Burrell qualified for its first PIAA girls’ soccer tournament in school history.
In Class 4A, Seneca Valley was a quarterfinalist with a 6-1 victory against District VI champion Altoona, and Peters Township fell in the first round.
FIELD HOCKEY
The WPIAL saw all three of its champions fall in the opening round of the PIAA Field Hockey Championships.
Pine-Richland fell to District III third-place Mechanicsburg, 2-0, in Class 3A, Peters Township dropped a 5-0 decision to District III fourth-place Hershey in Class 2A, and Shady Side Academy lost 5-0 to District III fourth-place Camp Hill in Class 1A.
BOYS’ CROSS COUNTRY
The WPIAL swept the Class 1A titles at the PIAA Boys’ Cross Country Championships on Saturday, Nov. 2 at Parkview Cross Country Course, as Winchester Thurston won the team title and Mohawk senior Jaxon Schoedel repeated as the individual champion.
Winchester Thurston is now a four-time PIAA boys’ cross country team champion (2014, 2016, 2019, 2024), which is tied for the third most all-time among WPIAL schools. Schoedel becomes the fourth WPIAL student-athlete to win multiple PIAA individual titles, joining Mt. Lebanon’s Patrick Anderson (2018, 2019), North Allegheny’s Jerry Richey (1965, 1966), and Southmoreland’s Chris Dugan (1994, 1995, 1996).
The WPIAL now has 52 PIAA team champions and have claimed one of the titles in seven consecutive seasons. On the individual front, Schoedel’s win marks the 39th time that a WPIAL student-athlete has won one of the PIAA races, and gives the league at least one individual winner in eight of the last 10 seasons.
Schoedel crossed the line in 15:52 to capture Class 1A gold, finishing 0:27 ahead of Veritas Academy senior Henry Friedrichs. He was one of four WPIAL student-athletes to finish inside the top 10 of the race, joining Winchester Thurston seniors Eli DeSimone (6th, 16:33) and Charles Routledge (7th, 16:34), and Neshannock senior Brendan Burns (10th, 16:42).
Winchester Thurston scored 89 points to win the Class 1A team title, besting WPIAL champion and PIAA runner-up Riverview by 16 points. DeSimone (6th, 16:33) and Routledge (7th, 16:34) led the way for the Bears, followed by sophomore Jack Iyer (38th, 17:41), freshman Otis Pascal (51st, 18:00), and senior Peter Heintzleman (52nd, 18:02) on the scoring. The Raiders’ 105-point runner-up effort was paced by senior Holden Deasy, who finished 13th overall with a time of 17:05. Mohawk was the third WPIAL team to qualify, finishing seventh with 204 points.
In Class 2A, Freeport senior Michael Braun claimed the silver medal with a time of 16:05, just 0:08 off champion Jonathan Hess of Lewisburg. Braun was joined by Hampton senior Christopher Belch (4th, 16:18), Quaker Valley sophomore Jonah Montagnese (7th, 16:26), and Quaker Valley senior Clark LaLomia (9th, 16:34) in the top 10.
Quaker Valley was the top finishing WPIAL team in Class 4A, coming in fourth with 155 points. Beaver placed seventh with 253 points, Hampton finished eighth with 258 points, and Uniontown came in 16th with 338 points.
Fox Chapel senior Ethan Vaughan was the lone WPIAL student-athlete to claim a top-10 finish in Class 3A, placing 9th with a time of 16:00. The top WPIAL team was North Allegheny in 10th with 268 points, with the Tigers’ best finisher being junior Andrew Peigh in 31st overall with a time of 16:34. Norwin (12th, 275 points) and Fox Chapel (15th, 318 points).
GIRLS’ CROSS COUNTRY
The WPIAL had a team runner-up and both individual and team third-place finishes at the WPIAL Girls’ Cross Country Championships on Saturday, Nov. 2 at Parkview Cross Country Course.
Class 1A saw Our Lady of the Sacred Heart place runner-up with 101 points, 13 off champion Cranberry from District IX. The Chargers were led by senior Gianna Mosca, who finished 12th overall with a time of 20:23. Winchester Thurston finished third with 119 points, Carlynton came in fifth with 186 points, and Eden Christian Academy took 11th with 284 points.
Fort Cherry senior Emily Frankovich was one of two WPIAL student-athletes to claim top-10 finishes in Class 1A, placing fourth with a time of 19:58. Carlynton senior Bridget McNamara crossed the line in eighth with a mark of 20:13.
North Allegheny led the WPIAL in Class 3A, finishing third with 125 points. The Tigers were paced by senior Robin Kucler, as her time of 19:21 was good for 25th overall. Norwin finished sixth with 196 points, and South Fayette brought home eighth with 221 points.
The top WPIAL individual finisher in Class 3A was Moon senior Alyson Steep, who placed sixth with a time of 18:43. Woodland Hills junior Annabel Johnson finished 10th after crossing the line in 18:54.
In Class 2A, Quaker Valley senior Cecilia Montagnese completed the course in 18:49 to claim bronze, 0:31 behind champion Saucon Valley junior Virginia Kraus. She was joined in the top 10 by Uniontown senior Grace Trimmer, who placed fifth with a time of 19:08.
North Catholic was the best finishing WPIAL team in Class 2A, finishing fifth with 219 points. The Trojanettes were led by freshman Maggie Killian, who crossed the line in 20:47 for a 45th-place finish. Hampton (10th, 272 points) and Quaker Valley (11th, 295 points) also qualified as teams for the WPIAL.
GIRLS’ TENNIS
The WPIAL claimed three runner-up finishes in singles and doubles competition at the PIAA Girls’ Tennis Championships, held at Hershey Racquet Club on Nov. 1-2. Mt. Lebanon juniors Jackie Tang and Michelle Yang were Class 3A doubles runners-up, Quaker Valley senior Kirsten Close and freshman Avery Allan won silver in Class 2A doubles, and Belle Vernon junior Gabriella Dusi was the Class 2A singles runner-up.
Tang and Yang fell in the Class 3A doubles championship match to junior Michelle Lerman and senior Anya Zubenko of District I champion Council Rock South, 6-2, 6-4. The duo made it to the finals with wins over Wilson junior Jin Lin Chen and sophomore Brooke Mengel (6-0, 6-0), Council Rock South junior Kim Chen and sophomore Ava Bograd (6-4, 6-2), and Downingtown East sophomores Mahi Patel and Joya Mentrikoski (6-0, 7-5). The other two WPIAL qualifying teams – Shady Side Academy freshmen Brooke Henderson and Alexandra Merkel and Pine-Richland freshmen Cassandra Lapina and Sonaya Arora – both dropped their opening round matches.
Dusi took silver in Class 2A singles after dropping the championship match to senior Ilana Rosenthal of District II champion Wyoming Seminary, 6-3, 6-2. The Belle Vernon junior topped Lancaster Catholic freshman Serafima Billis (6-0, 6-0), Lansdale Catholic senior Emerson Selgrath (6-3, 6-3), and Cathedral Prep sophomore Paige Patsy (6-0, 4-6, 6-2) in the lead-up to the final. Hampton senior Grace Stitt and Beaver junior Anna Mrkonja also qualified for the tournament from the WPIAL.
In the Class 2A doubles championship, Close and Allen were defeated by seniors Hannah Kideckel and Rebecca Kideckel of District I champion Lower Moreland, 6-4, 6-4. The Quaker Valley pair reached the championship match with victories against Kutztown senior Kaydence Bohning and junior Madelyn Maley (6-0, 6-0), Masterman senior Rena Liu and freshman Sophia Plastaras (6-1, 6-0), and Cathedral Prep junior Finleigh Handzel and senior Sophia Glance (6-1, 6-1). Oakland Catholic sophomore Mollie Sclichter and junior Luciana Easly made the quarterfinals with a 6-0, 6-2 win against Lower Moreland sophomores Baileigh Stetter and Ashley Heacock, while North Catholic sophomore Brea Kelly and senior Katie Hardy fell in the first round.
All three WPIAL teams in Class 3A advanced at least one round at the PIAA Girls’ Tennis Team Championships. Mt. Lebanon made it the furthest to the semifinals with wins over District III fourth-place Hempfield (5-0) in the first round and District II champion Abington Heights (5-0) in the quarterfinals. Bethel Park and Shady Side Academy were both quarterfinalists – the Black Hawks topped District X champion Fairview, 4-1, while the Bulldogs bested District VI champion Hollidaysburg, 4-1.
In Class 2A, the WPIAL produced a pair of semifinalists in North Catholic and Quaker Valley. The Trojanettes defeated District V champion Bedford (4-1) in the first round and District III runner-up Lancaster Country Day (4-1) in the quarterfinals, while the Quakers were victorious over District IX champion Elk County Catholic (5-0) in the opening round and District III champion Berks Catholic (4-1) in the quarterfinals. Hampton also qualified from the WPIAL, falling in the first round.
The WPIAL saw its three Class 3A singles qualifiers drop their opening round matches – Shady Side Academy sophomore Meriwether McCargo, Penn-Trafford junior Amelia Williams, and Bethel Park sophomore Cami Fisher.
BOYS’ GOLF
For the second straight season, the WPIAL swept the PIAA individual and team championships at Class 3A, with Fox Chapel sophomore Carson Kittsley claiming individual gold and North Allegheny bringing home the team crown. The PIAA Boys’ Golf Championships were held at Penn State Golf Courses over a three-day period from Oct. 21-23.
North Allegheny extends the WPIAL’s streak of three straight years with a PIAA boys’ golf team champion, and is the league’s 11th overall. The Tigers’ first title pairs them with seven other schools – Central Catholic and Sewickley Academy lead with three each, while Fox Chapel, Greater Latrobe, Peters Township, and Upper St. Clair all have one to their names.
Kittsley is the 23rd WPIAL student-athlete to win the PIAA boys’ golf individual championship, and the second from Fox Chapel, joining Frank Fuhrer III from 1976. The sophomore will have two more opportunities to become the WPIAL’s fourth two-time PIAA individual champion – a group that includes Knoch’s Jeff Dickson (1991, 1992), Latrobe’s Arnold Palmer (1946, 1947), and West Allegheny’s Garrett Browning (2009, 2011).
Kittsley fired a pair of rounds of 68 (-4) to finish with a two-day total of 136 (-8), besting Daniel Boone junior Chase Yenser by two strokes. He was one of three WPIAL student-athletes to claim a top-10 finish, with North Allegheny junior Ravi Desai and Peters Township senior Colton Lusk sharing fifth place after both posted a 139 (-5).
The WPIAL produced a one-two finish at the Class 3A team championships, with North Allegheny’s score of 286 (-2) besting runner-up South Fayette by four strokes. The Tigers were led by Desai’s round of 68 (-4), followed by senior Christopher Hoffman (70, -2) and juniors Preston Troiano (72, E) and Liam Cooper (76, +4) for the scorers. The Lions’ round of 290 (+2) was headlined by junior Sam Bishop, who carded a 64 (-8) – the lowest score of all team competitors by four strokes.
In the Class 2A individual championship, Our Lady of Sacred Heart junior Jonah Schollaert shared second place with a 36-hole tally of 140 (-4) – two strokes behind the medalist, Wyoming Seminary senior Nick Werner. Schollaert was one of four WPIAL student-athletes to place inside the top 10, alongside Shady Side Academy senior Landon Mauser (t-6th – 143, -1), Quaker Valley senior Ethan Dai (t-6th – 143, -1), and Neshannock sophomore Rocco Bautti (8th – 145, +1).
Greensburg Central Catholic and North Catholic competed in the Class 2A team championship, finishing fourth and sixth, respectively. The Centurions’ round of 313 (+25) was led by seniors Braden Riley and Sean Walker each registering a 76 (+4), while the Trojans’ round of 316 (+28) was paced by junior Chris Faber posting a 73 (+1).
GIRLS’ GOLF
For the first time since 2018, the WPIAL claimed both PIAA individual and team titles at a single classification, as it won Class 3A gold at the PIAA Girls’ Golf Championships at Penn State Golf Courses on Oct. 21-23. Elizabeth Forward junior Mya Morgan represented as the Class 3A individual winner, while Peters Township successfully defended its team championship in dramatic fashion.
Peters Township is the first school to go back-to-back since Greensburg Central Catholic in 2018-19. The Indians brought home the 16th PIAA girls’ golf team title in WPIAL history and are the fifth school to win multiple championships, joining Central Valley and Shady Side Academy each with four, North Allegheny with three, and the Centurions with two.
Morgan brought home the WPIAL’s 25th PIAA girls’ golf individual gold and is Elizabeth Forward’s first in school history. The Warriors are the 13th different school to produce an individual champion, while Morgan will have one more opportunity to become the WPIAL’s seventh multi-time PIAA winner – a group that includes Fox Chapel’s Michelle Michanowicz (1980, 1981), Greensburg Central Catholic’s Staci Aber (1989, 1991) and Olivia Zambruno (2014, 2015, 2016), Hempfield Area’s Katie Miller (1999, 2000, 2002), Hopewell’s Jodi Figley (1984, 1986), and North Catholic’s Maddie Smithco (2017, 2018).
Thanks to a first-round tally of 68 (-4), Morgan’s two-day total of 143 (-1) gave her the Class 3A individual gold, one stroke ahead of Plymouth-Whitemarsh senior Rhianna Gooneratne. She was joined inside the top 10 by Peters Township junior Ellie Benson, who placed seventh with a score of 148 (+4).
After a sudden-death playoff went to four holes, Peters Township emerged as the Class 3A team champion over Manheim Township. The Indians recorded a round of 227 (+11), thanks to scorers Benson (75, +3) and seniors Sophia Severns (76, +4) and Brooke Vowcheck (76, +4). Fox Chapel finished fifth with a tally of 254 (+38), with sophomore Clara Koteski carding an 82 (+10) to lead the Foxes.
Shady Side Academy freshman Alyssa Zhang earned bronze in the Class 2A individual championship with a two-day total of 147 (+3), seven strokes behind the champion, St. Joseph’s Catholic Academy junior Madison Koshko. Zhang was one of two WPIAL freshmen to claim a top-10 finish, as Chartiers-Houston’s JoJo Jaskulski placing eighth with a 36-hole tally of 154 (+10).
Zhang led the Bulldogs in the Class 2A team championship, as her round of 73 (+1) was the lowest of all team competitors by three strokes. Shady Side Academy finished fourth overall with a total of 273 (+57).
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