McKeesport, Pa. – The Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League (WPIAL) hosted the WPIAL/UPMC Sports Medicine Boys’ Cross Country Championships on Thursday, Oct. 23 at White Oak Park in McKeesport.
In Class 3A, Hempfield Area shone as a team, capturing their first team championship in school history, while Benjamin McBride brought home the first individual title for Norwin in 30 years.
In Class 2A, Quaker Valley dominated both the team and individual competitions. The Quakers repeated as champions for the first time since 2011-12, with Jonah Montagnese posting the fastest boys’ individual time across all classifications.
The Class 1A race saw new winners across the board. Zachary Sharara claimed individual gold for the first time in Sewickley Academy history, while Winchester Thurston returned to the top of the podium with their first team championship since 2020.
The Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) Boys’ Cross Country Championships will be held on Saturday, Nov. 1, at Parkview Cross Country Course in Hershey. WPIAL qualifiers include the top three teams and the top 15 individual runners outside those teams in Classes 1A and 3A, and the top four teams and top 20 individual runners outside those teams in Class 2A.
CLASS 3A RECAP
The Class 3A boys’ race featured a historic moment for Hempfield, as the Spartans captured their first-ever WPIAL boys’ cross country team championship. Led by a pair of top-10 finishers, Hempfield Area tallied 67 points to edge out perennial power North Allegheny (79) and defending champion Norwin (108).
Individually, Norwin sophomore Benjamin McBride claimed the gold medal with a time of 15:27.8, earning his first WPIAL title and giving the Knights their first individual chamption since 1995. McBride held off Hempfield Area senior Jonathan Stetchock (15:37.5) by just under ten seconds, while Butler junior Brendan Eicher (15:39.6) rounded out the podium in third.
The remainder of the top 10 included Upper St. Clair senior Nolan Sarkett (15:43.2) in fourth, North Allegheny senior Andrew Peigh (15:44.9) in fifth, Mt. Lebanon senior Evan Yurasko (15:47.8) in sixth, Hempfield senior Ryan Ewing (15:48.8) in seventh, Greater Latrobe junior Charlie Heese (15:55.1) in eighth, North Allegheny junior Wyatt Case (15:57.8) in ninth, and North Allegheny junior Gatik Hirwani (16:00.4) in tenth.
Hempfield Area (9-0, 9-0 Section II - Division I) earned its first WPIAL crown in program history with 67 points, paced by Stetchock (2nd) and Ewing (7th). The Spartans’ other scorers included seniors Isaiah Bittner (16th), Troy Payne (18th), and Carter Moody (24th).
North Allegheny (8-0, 7-0 Section III - Division I) finished second with 79 points, led by Peigh in fifth and supported by Case (9th), Hirwani (10th), Colin Clarkson (21st), and Jack Curren (34th).
Norwin (8-1, 8-1 Section I - Division I) rounded out the PIAA qualifying teams in third with 108 points. Alongside McBride’s winning effort, the Knights saw contributions from senior Alexander Barrett (11th), Ransom Gaydos (30th), Declan O'Donell (31st), and William Little (35th).
CLASS 2A RECAP
Quaker Valley junior Jonah Montagnese dominated the 2A Boys Cross Country Championship, claiming the individual title with a blazing 15:08.70—the fastest boys’ individual time across all classifications this season. His performance helped the Quakers secure a repeat team championship, continuing their impressive streak of success.
North Catholic showed strong depth as well, with Jack Steineman (10th grade) taking third in 15:38.30 and senior Tyler Carroll finishing fourth in 15:53.30, powering the Trojans to a second-place team finish.
Other top-10 finishers included Carter French (Knoch, 2nd, 15:36.60), Josh Wukitch (Hampton, 5th, 15:58.30), Lucas Bleakney (Ellwood City, 6th, 15:59.80), Dravin Everley (Ringgold, 7th, 16:08.40), Ethan Syner (Uniontown Area, 8th, 16:10.00), Brody Graham (Blackhawk, 9th, 16:21.50), and Isaac Burtt (Beaver Area, 10th, 16:28.50).
In team scoring, Quaker Valley finished first with 90 points, followed by North Catholic (149) and Ellwood City (172). The Quakers’ combination of top-end speed and team depth cemented their status as back-to-back champions and one of the region’s dominant programs.
CLASS 1A RECAP
Sewickley Academy sophomore Zachary Sharara made history by becoming the first individual boys’ cross country champion in school history, crossing the line in 15:41.60 at the 1A Boys Championship. His performance earned him an individual qualifier spot and marked a milestone for the program.
The team competition was tightly contested, with Winchester Thurston claiming first place with 77 points, powered by strong finishes from Jack Iyer (4th, 16:19.30) and Otis Pascal (5th, 16:23.40).
Shady Side Academy finished a close second with 102 points, led by Harlan Cooper (6th, 16:33.50) and Will Nury (9th, 16:49.40). Mohawk rounded out the top three with 103 points, paced by Scott McConnell (2nd, 16:05.40), Grayson Ponziani (8th, 16:43.80), and Aiden Tanner (10th, 16:49.60).
Other top finishers included Ashton Saunders (Riverview, 3rd, 16:10.00) and Ethan Moldovan (Carlynton, 7th, 16:37.10), who helped make the race highly competitive.
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