Pittsburgh, Pa. – The Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League (WPIAL) finished the 2024-25 winter season with 35 titles at the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) Championships, bringing home gold in boys’ and girls’ basketball, boys’ and girls’ swimming & diving, boys’ and girls’ wrestling, and competitive spirit.
 
Additionally, WPIAL schools claimed seven titles in gymnastics and rifle – sports that the PIAA does not sponsor state championships in.
 
The state trophy haul for PIAA District VII included nine team and 33 individual championships. Below is a brief recap of the league’s performance at each PIAA and other state-level tournaments.
 
BOYS’ BASKETBALL
The WPIAL extended its streak of consecutive seasons with at least one PIAA boys’ basketball title to six, as The Neighborhood Academy emerged victorious in Class 1A at the PIAA Boys’ Basketball Championships at the GIANT Center in Hershey from March 27-29. The Bulldogs are the 89th PIAA champion from the WPIAL and the 43rd different school to win a title.
 
The Neighborhood Academy captured the Class 1A crown with a 60-51 victory over District XII champion Sankofa Freedom Academy. The Bulldogs’ run to the championship included wins over District V third-place Shanksville (95-32) in the first round, District IX runner-up Elk County Catholic (63-44) in the second round, District III sixth-place LaAcademia Charter (64-44) in the quarterfinals, and District IX champion Otto-Eldred (55-38) in the semifinals. Among the other WPIAL qualifiers, Aquinas Academy reached the quarterfinals, Serra Catholic made the second round, and Nazareth Prep fell in the first round.
 
South Allegheny made it to the Class 3A championship game, but fell to District XII champion West Catholic, 60-51. The Gladiators made it to Hershey with wins over District IX champion Cranberry (75-37) in the first round, District VI runner-up Bishop Guilfoyle (55-47) in the second round, District III champion Trinity (76-62) in the quarterfinals, and WPIAL runner-up Aliquippa (36-31) in the semifinals. The Quips were semifinalists after defeating District VI third-place Westmont Hilltop (73-40), District X champion Mercer (64-37), and District VI champion Forest Hills (73-34). Mohawk and Shady Side Academy both reached the second round, while Bishop Canevin, Ellwood City, and Keystone Oaks dropped their first round contests.
 
Sewickley Academy reached the Class 2A final, but dropped a 55-54 heartbreaker to District III runner-up Linville Hill. The Panthers were victorious against District V runner-up Windber (64-36) in the first round, District X champion Lakeview (56-35) in the second round, WPIAL sixth-place Our Lady of the Sacred Heart (42-35) in the quarterfinals, and WPIAL fifth-place Greensburg Central Catholic (52-48) in the semifinals. The Centurions made the semifinals with wins over District V champion McConnellsburg (54-43), WPIAL fourth-place Neshannock (66-52), and WPIAL champion Jeannette (46-35). Jeannette, Northgate, and Our Lady of the Sacred Heart advanced to the quarterfinals among WPIAL teams, Neshannock and Union made the second round, and Chartiers-Houston fell in the opening round.
 
In Class 6A, Upper St. Clair reached the semifinals with victories over District III eighth-place William Penn (67-30), District III third-place Governor Mifflin (50-38), and District X champion McDowell (51-49). Central Catholic, Mt. Lebanon, and New Castle all dropped their first round contests.
 
Chartiers Valley made the Class 5A semifinals after defeating District III ninth-place Cocalico (62-29), WPIAL third-place Montour (48-38), and District VI champion Greater Johnstown (58-38). Greater Latrobe, Montour, and Peters Township all reached the second round, while Mars, Moon, Penn-Trafford, and Uniontown were eliminated after the first round.
 
North Catholic qualified for the Class 4A semifinals with victories against District X third-place Hickory (72-56), WPIAL fourth-place Beaver (84-53), and District X champion Cathedral Prep (78-75, OT). Beaver and Belle Vernon reached the second round, while Avonworth and Knoch fell in the opening round.
 
GIRLS’ BASKETBALL
The WPIAL made it seven consecutive seasons with at least one WPIAL girls’ basketball title, as South Fayette claimed the Class 5A crown at the PIAA Girls’ Basketball Championships at the GIANT Center in Hershey from March 27-29. The Lions are the 51st PIAA champion from the WPIAL and the 29th different school to win a title.
 
South Fayette emerged with the Class 5A trophy after topping District XII champion Archbishop Wood, 45-37. The Lions’ run to Hershey featured wins against District III seventh-place Lower Dauphin (56-21) in the first round, District III third-place West York (70-41) in the second round, District VI champion Hollidaysburg (70-52) in the quarterfinals, and WPIAL champion Peters Township (50-36) in the semifinals. The Indians were semifinalists with wins against District III eighth-place Conrad Weiser (58-25), WPIAL third-place Thomas Jefferson (57-53), and District X champion Cathedral Prep (35-25). Thomas Jefferson made the second round, while Baldwin, Bethel Park, Indiana, Mars, and Penn-Trafford all fell in the first round.
 
Upper St. Clair reached the Class 6A championship game, only to fall to District I champion Perkiomen Valley, 58-27. The Panthers topped District III eighth-place Manheim Township (65-37) in the first round, WPIAL third-place Canon-McMillan (46-32) in the second round), District I fifth-place Haverford (51-35) in the quarterfinals, and District I runner-up Garnet Valley (53-49) in the semifinals. Canon-McMillan qualified for the second round, and Norwin dropped its opening round game.
 
Shady Side Academy made the Class 3A final, but fell to District IV champion Loyalsock Township, 55-43. The Bulldogs punched their ticket to Hershey with wins over District IX runner-up Cranberry (51-23) in the first round, District X champion Northwestern (46-44) in the second round, District III champion Trinity (46-43) in the quarterfinals, and WPIAL third-place Our Lady of the Sacred Heart (43-29) in the semifinals. The Chargers were semifinalists after collecting victories over District X runner-up Seneca (53-44), WPIAL champion Greensburg Central Catholic (36-34), and District VI champion Central Cambria (47-43). Greensburg Central Catholic made the second round, while Avonworth, Ellwood City, and Keystone Oaks lost in the first round.
 
In Class 4A, North Catholic reached the semifinals with wins against District VI runner-up Penn Cambria (59-29), District X champion Harbor Creek (57-33), and WPIAL runner-up Blackhawk (51-44). Blackhawk and Oakland Catholic were quarterfinalists, Elizabeth Forward made the second round, and Laurel Highlands and South Park fell in the opening round.
 
The WPIAL saw in Class 2A four teams make the second round in Aliquippa, Neshannock, South Side, and Winchester Thurston, while Chartiers-Houston, Fort Cherry, and Rochester all lost their first game.
 
In Class 1A, Aquinas Academy was the lone WPIAL school to reach the second round. Bishop Canevin, Clairton, Geibel Catholic, Saint Joseph, and Union all fell in the first round.
 
BOYS’ SWIMMING & DIVING
The WPIAL swept the team titles and claimed 16 individual gold medals at the PIAA Boys’ Swimming & Diving Championships at Kinney Natatorium on the campus of Bucknell University from March 12-15. North Allegheny won one individual gold to go with its team crown, while Mt. Pleasant collected five individual titles to lead to its team championship. Central Catholic, Freeport, Indiana, and Mars also brought home at least one gold medal.
 
North Allegheny scored 215 points over the course of the championships, besting runner-up La Salle College by 53. This is the Tigers’ seventh PIAA boys’ swimming & diving team title (1994, 2009, 2010, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2025), which is the second most among WPIAL schools. Mt. Pleasant topped its WPIAL section foe Indiana by a single point, as its 198 points brought home its first PIAA team championship in the sport. The Vikings are the 11th different WPIAL school to win a PIAA title.

Mt. Pleasant and North Allegheny’s team championships mark just the second time overall and first time since 1996 that the WPIAL swept both PIAA boys’ swimming & diving team titles.
 
For Class 3A, the North Allegheny quartet in the 200 freestyle relay brought home gold with a NFHS Honor Roll time of 1:22.50, besting runner-up Central Bucks West by 0.57 seconds.
 
Central Catholic senior McClellan Clark won the 500 freestyle with a NFHS Honor Roll time of 4:22.78, topping Penn Manor’s Trevor Olson by 3.27 seconds.
 
Mars senior Luke Lamb took home gold in the 100 backstroke, clocking in with a NFHS Honor Roll mark of 47.78 seconds – 1.25 second quicker than North Allegheny’s Danny Lesinski.
 
The Class 2A individual gold medal haul began with Mt. Pleasant in the 200 medley relay, as the quartet finished with a time of 1:34.45 – 1.35 seconds quicker than runner-up Cathedral.
 
Indiana senior Preston Kessler won gold in the 100 and 200 freestyles. In the 100 freestyle, his NFHS Honor Roll time of 43.28 seconds was 0.08 seconds quicker than Blue Mountain’s Noah Powers. Kessler set a new PIAA championship meet record in the 200 freestyle with a time of 1:37.82 seconds – breaking the previous standard of 1:38.31 by Clearfield’s Luke Mikesell in 2019.
 
Mt. Pleasant senior Joseph Gardner took first in the 200 individual medley and 100 breaststroke. He clocked in at 1:49.52 in the 200 individual medley to top Northgate’s Sam Cavanaugh by 1.09 seconds, while his time of 53.83 seconds in the 100 breaststroke broke his own PIAA championship meet record of a year ago, which was 54.28 seconds.
 
Mt. Pleasant senior David Mutter also won two gold medals in the 100 butterfly and 500 freestyle. In the 100 butterfly, he touched the wall with a NFHS Honor Roll time of 48.08 seconds, which was 1.44 seconds quicker than Hampton’s Chris Belch. Mutter finished the 500 freestyle with a time of 4:31.56 – topping runner-up Cavanaugh by 2.96 seconds.
 
Indiana brought home two relay victories in the 200 freestyle relay and 400 freestyle relay. The Indians finished the shorter relay with a mark of 1:25.96, which was 2.09 seconds faster than runner-up Tunkhannock. In the 400 freestyle relay, Indiana finished in 3:08.46 to best runner-up Schuylkill Valley by 2.69 seconds.
 
Freeport sophomore Isaac Barton became a PIAA champion in the para 50 freestyle and para 100 freestyle. Barton finished the 50 freestyle in 25.82 seconds, just 0.01 seconds quicker than Pittston Area’s Josiah Lyons. In the 100 freestyle, he clocked in at 56.98 seconds, which was
 
In Class 3A, North Allegheny junior Danny Lesinski claimed silver in the 100 backstroke and the Tigers were second in the 400 freestyle relay. Five WPIAL student-athletes and relay teams placed third in their events: Lesinski (200 individual medley), North Allegheny senior Gus Miller (100 butterfly, 100 backstroke), North Allegheny junior Ethan Maravich (1-meter dive), Upper St. Clair junior Nazar Zoukovski (200 freestyle), and Upper St. Clair (200 medley relay).
 
At Class 2A, Hampton senior Chris Belch earned silver medals in the 100 butterfly and 100 backstroke, Indiana sophomore Joshua Reed finished second in the 50 freestyle, and Northgate junior Sam Cavanaugh was runner-up in the 200 individual medley and 500 freestyle. There were four WPIAL student-athletes and relay teams claiming bronze in their events: Reed (100 freestyle), Hampton (200 medley relay), Mt. Pleasant (200 freestyle relay), and Shady Side Academy senior Soren Cooper (200 freestyle).
 
Class 3A champion North Allegheny was joined in the top 10 of the team standings by Upper St. Clair (5th, 137 points) and Central Catholic (10th, 73 points).
 
Class 2A champion Mt. Pleasant was joined in the top 10 of the team standings by Indiana (2nd, 197 points), Northgate (6th, 115 points), Hampton (7th, 110 points), and Shady Side Academy (8th, 100 points.)

GIRLS’ SWIMMING & DIVING
The WPIAL captured a team title and 10 individual gold medals at the PIAA Girls’ Swimming & Diving Championships at Kinney Natatorium on the campus of Bucknell University from March 12-15. Mt. Pleasant defended its PIAA team crown thanks in part to three individual wins. Fox Chapel, Freeport, Hampton, Indiana, Mt. Lebanon, and Shady Side Academy also collected at least one gold medal.
 
Mt. Pleasant recorded 189 points at the championships, topping runner-up Cathedral Prep by 16. The Vikings have now three-peated Class 2A and move into a tie for fourth most PIAA girls’ swimming & diving team championships among WPIAL schools.
 
In Class 3A, Fox Chapel senior Sarah Pasquella was one of two WPIAL student-athletes to claim gold, doing so in the 200 freestyle with a time of 1:48.84 – 0.31 seconds quicker than North Allegheny’s Claire Bacu.
 
Mt. Lebanon senior Sylvia Roy broke her own PIAA championship meet record in the 100 backstroke, as her time of 52.74 seconds was 0.16 seconds faster than the 2024 standard.
 
The Class 2A individual gold medal run began with Mt. Pleasant senior Lily King, who made history with her wins in the 100 and 200 freestyles. King accomplished the feat of capturing eight PIAA individual gold medals over her career, winning the 100 freestyle four times, 200 freestyle three times, and 50 freestyle once. Her 100 freestyle time of 47.31 seconds broke her own PIAA championship meet record from a year ago of 48.15 seconds, while her 200 freestyle mark of 1:44.64 topped the previous standard of 1:44.73, set by West York’s Courtney Harnish in 2017.
 
Shady Side Academy sophomore Ava Jochims won two gold medals in the 200 individual medley and 500 freestyle. In the 200 individual medley, her NFHS Honor Roll time of 2:00.49 was 2.65 seconds than Dallas’s Lydia Gonzales. In the 500 freestyle, she clocked in with an NFHS Honor Roll time of 4:50.75 – 7.94 seconds faster than MMI Prep’s Mary Kate Kupsky.
 
Freeport senior Kira Schrecongost led a WPIAL-dominant effort in the 100 butterfly, with her time of 54.96 seconds topping the podium by 0.70 seconds over Hampton’s Lainey Sheets. The WPIAL occupied each of the top five positions for the race, with Schrecongost and Sheets joined by Trinity’s Paige Schott in third, Freeport’s Kasey Schrecongost in fourth, and Indiana’s Peyton Scott in fifth.
 
Mt. Pleasant senior Kiersten O’Connor won the 100 backstroke with a time of 54.61 seconds, besting Cathedral Prep’s Maria Costa by 0.39 seconds.
 
In the 100 breaststroke, Indiana senior Peyton Scott emerged victorious after touching the wall in 1:03.15 – just 0.03 second quicker than Knoch’s Giona Lavorini.
 
Hampton junior Gabby Elk captured gold in the 1-meter dive with a score of 433.00 points, topping Upper Moreland’s Justine Frantz by 18.85 points.
 
At Class 3A, North Allegheny junior Claire Bacu took silver medals in the 200 freestyle and 500 freestyle, Knoch senior Giona Lavorini finished second in the 100 breaststroke, and Roy was the runner-up in the 50 freestyle. There were two WPIAL student-athletes that placed third in their events: North Allegheny senior Juliet Hood (1-meter dive) and Pine-Richland senior Sarah Shaffer (100 breaststroke).
 
In Class 2A, Mt. Pleasant’s relay teams finished second in the 200 medley relay, 200 freestyle relay, and 400 freestyle relay, while silver medals were claimed by Hampton junior Lainey Sheets in the 100 butterfly, Thomas Jefferson senior Genevieve Cody in the 100 freestyle, and O’Connor in the 50 freestyle. Six WPIAL student-athletes and relay teams finished third in their events: Sheets (100 backstroke), Freeport (200 medley relay, 400 freestyle relay), Quaker Valley senior Ruby Olliffe (1-meter dive), Southmoreland junior Allison Stinnett (100 breaststroke), Trinity sophomore Paige Schott (100 butterfly), and Thomas Jefferson (200 freestyle relay).
 
North Allegheny was the highest finishing WPIAL team in Class 3A, placing fourth with 171 points. The Tigers were joined by Fox Chapel (6th, 103 points) and Mt. Lebanon (10th, 67 points) in the top 10.
 
Class 2A champion Mt. Pleasant was joined in the top 10 of the team standings by Freeport (4th, 135 points), Indiana (5th, 122 points), Hampton (6th, 110 points), Franklin Regional (t-7th, 104 points), and Thomas Jefferson (9th, 99 points).
 
BOYS’ WRESTLING
The WPIAL earned a pair of Class 3A gold medals at the PIAA Boys’ Wrestling Individual Championships at the GIANT Center in Hershey from March 6-8. Thomas Jefferson senior Maddox Shaw topped the podium in the 152 weight class, while Belle Vernon junior Elijah Brown won at the 215 weight class. Shaw is now a two-time PIAA gold medalist after winning at 139 last year, while this is the first title for Brown.
 
Shaw took gold at 152 with a 4-2 decision against Connellsville’s Evan Petrovich. His run to the final included a fall in 3:31 against North Penn’s Jonny O’Brien, a fall in 3:25 versus Central Bucks West’s Chris Dennis, and an 8-0 major decision over Perkiomen Valley’s Luke Knox.
 
Brown won the 215 crown with a 4-3 decision versus Kiski Area’s Cooper Roscosky. His trek to gold featured a pin in 0:23 versus Unionville’s Brady Kelly, a 15-0 technical fall against St. Joseph’s Prep’s John Boggs, and a 6-3 decision over Ringgold’s Jake Conroy. The top four positions at 215 were occupied by WPIAL student-athletes, as Central Catholic’s Roman Thompson finished third, and Conroy took fourth.
 
In Class 3A, Connellsville senior Evan Petrovich (152), Greater Latrobe senior Luke Willochell (133), Kiski Area junior Cooper Roscosky (215), and Thomas Jefferson senior Bode Marlow (172) claimed silver at their respective weight classes. The WPIAL had seven student-athletes earn bronze: Butler junior Santino Sloboda (127), Central Catholic sophomore Roman Thompson (215), Connellsville sophomore Kai Vielma (139), Greater Latrobe sophomore Hunter Snyder (189), Indiana senior Nico Fanella (133), Peters Township sophomore Nicholas McGarrity (107), and Thomas Jefferson senior Shepherd Turk (285).
 
At Class 2A, Central Valley junior Antonio Boni claimed silver in the 127 weight class, and Fort Cherry senior Braedon Welsh took bronze at 215.
 
The PIAA Wrestling Team Championships were held from Feb. 7-8 at Altoona High School, with preliminary and first round matches contested at home sites. The WPIAL had seven teams qualify for the championships – three in Class 3A and four in Class 2A.
 
Connellsville was the highest finishing team for the WPIAL, placing third in Class 3A. The Falcons earned bronze with a 37-21 win over District I champion Boyertown, and advanced to the consolation final with a 28-22 triumph against WPIAL champion Franklin Regional. Franklin Regional reached the consolation semifinals with a 39-11 win against District VI champion Central Mountain, while Norwin fell in the first round.
 
In Class 2A, Burrell won its first match against District VI champion Penns Valley, 39-27, but ultimately fell in the consolation quarterfinals. Derry was eliminated in the first round, while McGuffey and Quaker Valley dropped their preliminary round matches.
 
GIRLS’ WRESTLING
The WPIAL captured one gold medal at the PIAA Girls’ Wrestling Individual Championships at the GIANT Center in Hershey from March 6-8. Canon-McMillan sophomore Marlee Solomon became the league’s second PIAA champion with a victory at the 112 weight class.
 
Solomon claimed the 112 title with a 14-0 major decision against Conneaut’s Daylee Watson. Her run to the championship match a fall in 1:17 against York Suburban’s Alysiana Ierley, an 8-1 decision versus Wilson Area’s Nevaeh Colon, and an 11-0 major decision over Brashear’s Tamara Humphries.
 
The WPIAL saw Plum junior Alaina Claassen and Southmoreland junior Zoey Murphy bring home silver at the 190 and 235 weight classes, respectively. Laurel junior Maggie Alfera was the bronze medalist at 136.
 
Canon-McMillan was the highest finishing WPIAL school on the team leaderboard, as its 35 points was good for 10th overall.
 
COMPETITIVE SPIRIT
The WPIAL collected three division championships at the PIAA Competitive Spirit Championships, marking the second time in three years that the league has accomplished that feat. Held at Santander Arena in Reading from Jan. 30-31, the championships saw Thomas Jefferson winning Class 3A Small Varsity, Neshannock taking Class 2A Large Varsity, and Butler winning Co-Ed Varsity.
 
Butler is now up to a league-high five PIAA competitive spirit titles (2013, 2016, 2019, 2023, 2025), while it’s now three in four years for Neshannock (2022, 2023, 2025). Thomas Jefferson is the seventh different WPIAL school to claim PIAA competitive spirit gold and gives the league their 16th title overall.
 
Thomas Jefferson led a heavy WPIAL contingent in the Class 3A Small Varsity division, as its final score of 88.50 was 1.40 points higher than runner-up South Fayette at 87.10. Penn-Trafford was also a finalist, placing fifth with a score of 83.50. Franklin Regional, Mars, and Plum reached the semifinals.
 
Neshannock was the lone WPIAL school to make the Class 2A Large Varsity finals, posting a score of 80.87 to top runner-up Hickory by 5.74 points.
 
Butler took home the Co-Ed Varsity title with a tally of 84.33, besting runner-up McDowell by 4.40 points.
 
Hempfield Area and Norwin were the highest finishing WPIAL teams in the Class 3A Large Varsity division, both tying for fourth with a score of 81.67. Seneca Valley took sixth with a mark of 78.10, while Baldwin and North Allegheny reached the semifinals.
 
In the Class 2A Small Varsity division, Hampton placed seventh with a score of 68.00, Central Valley took eighth with a mark of 66.90, and Ambridge finished ninth with a tally of 65.70. Elizabeth Forward was a semifinalist.
 
GYMNASTICS
Baldwin senior Abby Rexrode swept each individual event at the PA Classic Gymnastics Individual Championships, held at Moon High School on Feb. 22.
 
Rexrode was victorious in the vault (9.750), uneven bars (9.650), balance beam (9.625), and floor exercise (9.525) for an all-around score of 38.550 – topping the runner-up score of 37.708 from Oakland Catholic sophomore Madeline Wingerter by 0.842.
 
Wingerter claimed silver medals in the vault (9.433), uneven bars (9.400), and floor exercise (9.400), and a bronze in the balance beam (9.475). Central Valley freshman Bria Zelesnik claimed all-around bronze with a score of 36.783.
 
In the PA Classic Gymnastics Team Championships at Moon High School on Feb. 21, Baldwin finished second with a score of 142.234, Thomas Jefferson took third with a tally of 141.68, and Central Valley placed fourth with a mark of 138.425.
 
The PA Classic also featured a Silver Division team competition, and individual competitions in the Gold, Silver, and Bronze divisions.
 
West Allegheny won the Silver Division team crown with a score of 135.825.
 
In the Gold Division individual championship, Thomas Jefferson junior won the all-around title with a score of 36.450, and claimed gold in the balance beam (9.375) and floor exercise (9.450). Central Valley sophomore Elise Nalli took the win in the vault with a mark of 9.350.
 
Freeport sophomore Allyson Turk shared the top spot in balance beam for the Silver Division, recording a score of 8.950.
 
In the Bronze Division, Hopewell freshman Lia Eberhardt claimed gold in the vault with a score of 8.733, while West Allegheny sophomore Emily Dove won the uneven bars with a mark of 7.025.

RIFLE
The WPIAL claimed the individual and team championships at the Pennsylvania State Prone Rifle Championships, with Butler sophomore Jackson Jungling winning individual gold, and he and his teammates leading the Golden Tornado to the team title.
 
Jungling posted a score of 413.8 at the individual championships to top the podium. The WPIAL occupied four of the top five positions on the leaderboard, with Penn-Trafford senior Emily Valenta finishing second (413.3), Armstrong sophomore Riley Wasson placing fourth (410.0), and Butler junior Alyssa Miller coming home in fifth (409.7).
 
Butler captured the team crown with a score of 1019.9, topping runner-up Hempfield Area by 4.8. The Golden Tornado saw Miller and freshman Andrew Wolfe lead the way with marks of 204.5 each, while Jungling posted a 204.2.
 
Hempfield Area finished second with a score of 1015.1, with its top scorer being sophomore Aiden McVickers at 206.7. Mt. Lebanon finished fourth with a mark of 1008.6, and Woodland Hills came home in sixth with a tally of 1001.2.
 
#WPIAL