PENNSYLVANIA STATE MEET

Gary Martin Runs 1:51/4:01 Double For State Titles In Pennsylvania; Mia Cochran Sweeps Three Distance Finals

By Mary Albl of DyeStat

In what has already been an historic spring on the track for Gary Martin, the Archbishop Wood senior continued to prove he’s not done making history. 

At the PIAA Track and Field Championships at Shippensburg University (PA) — held May 27 and 28 — the University of Virginia-bound runner pulled off the distance double, plus a relay, in electrifying fashion. On Friday, Martin, who ran 3:57.98 at the Philadelphia Catholic League track and field championships on May 18, won the Class AAA 1,600 in a record time of 4:01.56. His time shattered the record of 4:07.32 set in 2011 by Drew Magaha. 

Martin came back on Saturday to win the 800 in a US#19 time of 1:51.24. He also ran on the he winning 4x800 relay. 

CJ Singleton won the 3,200 in 8:57.73.

Pennridge’s Joey Gant won the 100 (10.74) and 200 (21.15).

Coatsville’s Lebron Bestick won the 400 in 46.91 a current US#25 time. 

In the field, Hershey’s Justin Rogers broke the PIAA state meet record in the pole vault as he cleared 17-3 to claim gold. His mark is a current US#3. 

Butler won the team title. 

In girls action, distance standout, Moon Area’s Mia Cochran did it all. She not only became the first girl to win all three distance events at the state level but she led Moon Area to a 3A team championship with 30 points. On Friday, the Arkansas commit won the 1,600 in 4:46.53, and returned Saturday to claim the 3,200 title in a 3A state meet record of 10:13.62. She added an exclamation point on the weekend, picking up the victory in the 800 (2:11.16), adding to her collection. 

Spring Grove’s Lalia Campbell, a sophomore, broke the meet record in the 100, clocking 11.55. The previous record of 11.64 was set in 2007 by Breehana Jacobs. Campbell also won the 200 in 23.56, US #19. 

Senior Sanaa Hebron of Neshaminy won the 300 hurdles in 41.85, US#13.

State College Area senior Shannon Mullin saved her best jump for last. On her final attempt she put down a mark of 40-8 to win the triple jump. Her mark is tied for US#23. She finished second in the long jump (18-9.25). 

Spring Ford’s Nene Mokonchu won the high jump, clearing 5-10, tied for US#12.

Elizabeth Tapper of Hempfield Area claimed the shot put title in 46-4.25 and the discus with 153-0. 

CLASS AA

In Class 2A, Wyomissing Area’s J’Ven Williams broke the class state shot put record of 64-10.75 set in 2007 by Olympian Joe Kovacs with a throw of 66-7.75, a current US#6. He also won the discus (167-0). Teammate Drew Mruk won the boys Class AA javelin title with a throw of 211-9, US#5. The two throwers led  Wyomissingto the team championship with 32 points. 

Deek Lakes Carson McCoy won the 800 in a US#17 time of 1:51.02. On Friday, he added a win in the 1,600 (4:13.14).

Conemaugh Township Area’s Ethan Black won the 100 and 200 titles. 

In Class AA girls, Brownsville’s Jolena Quarto won the 3,200 in record-breaking fashion, clocking 10:19.41, beating her sister’s record of 10:25.91 from 2019. She also won the 1,600 (4:54.08).

In the field, Emma Callahan of Shenango tied the Class 2A record in the shot put with a throw of 50-10.75, a current US#2.

Susquehanna Community won the 2A title with 28 points as junior Tatum Norris won the 100 (12.40) and 200 (24.94). 

Team Champions

Class AAA:  Butler boys 47 points; Moon Area girls 30 points - RESULTS

Class 2A: Wyomissing Area boys 32 points; Susquehanna Community girls 28 points - RESULTS