Rams’ Pajak finishes 2nd behind Griffith’s record

Ringgold’s Ryan Pajak ran extremely well in the 1600m event on Friday, placing second (4:04.72) against one of the best in the nation in gold medalist Drew Griffith from Butler. Griffith set a national record with a winning time of 3:57.08.

Both Notre Dame commits, Griffith and Pajak will battle today in the 3200m event at 9 a.m.

Charleroi’s Braedin Lunger capped off a phenomenal freshman season with a top-10 finish and two more 11th-place marks at the PIAA Track and Field Championships on Friday.

Lunger was the sole freshman qualifier for his three events and finished in seventh place in the Class 2A boys long jump with a 21-9.25.

He also just missed out on top-10 places in the high jump (6-2) and the 110m hurdles (14.97) as he showcased his athleticism for the entire state to see.

California’s Ella Neil dominated her event on Friday as she participated in the Class 2A girls high jump, tying for fifth place with a 5-2 mark. The junior earned 1.67 points for the Trojans with her impressive finish.

One local athlete managed to qualify for the state finals of the Class 2A boys 300m hurdles as Greensburg Central Catholic’s James Brewer finished in sixth in the preliminary round on Friday with a time of 39.55. The Rostraver native is the only WPIAL representative remaining in the event as he will hope to capture a state title today at 1:55 p.m.

Charleroi’s Eden Smith finished in 18th place in the Class 2A girls 100m hurdles with a finish of 16.20. Smith finished fourth in her heat to cap off an impressive sophomore campaign.

California’s Lee Qualk was another busy athlete on Friday, participating in two events representing the Trojans.

Qualk posted a 19th place finish in the Class 2A boys long jump (20-11.25) and placed 35th in the 100m dash (11.48).

That rounds out Friday’s action, but there are more area athletes set to participate in the festivities today.

For the Class 3A girls, Sylvia Kashak will run in the 800m event at 2:25 p.m.

On the Class 3A boys side, Elizabeth Forward’s Connor Stokes and Patrick Burgos are set to go today, as is the McKeesport 4×100 relay squad.

Belle Vernon’s Ryan Kent will also participate in the discus event today at 12:30 p.m.

California HS Athletics