PIAA recap: WPIAL athletes win 11 events at state track championships

By: Chris Harlan
Sunday, May 26, 2019 | 11:53 AM

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The weekend started slowly but WPIAL athletes rallied on Saturday and won 11 events at the PIAA track and field championships in Shippensburg.

Aliquippa’s M.J. Devonshire and Shady Side Academy’s Melissa Riggins won two events apiece, while WPIAL distance runners Gionna Quarzo of Brownsville, Emily Carter of Bethel Park and Zach Kinne of North Allegheny won three of the four 3,200-meter races.

Riggins, Quarzo and Carter also broke PIAA championship records.

Brownsville’s Gionna Quarzo defends 3,200 title in record time

Brownsville’s Gionna Quarzo heard a voice from above helping her set a meet record Saturday at the PIAA track and field championships.

Brownsville’s Gionna Quarzo defends her title in the Class AA girls 3,200 meters and sets a #PIAA record #TribHSSN pic.twitter.com/WUJJMLJwD7

— Chris Harlan (@CHarlan_Trib) May 25, 2019

Bethel Park’s Emily Carter wins 3,200 meters, sets PIAA record in AAA

All Bethel Park sophomore Emily Carter was expecting at the PIAA track and field championships Saturday was a place on the podium. But the WPIAL Class AAA champion outdid herself. She ended up standing on the top of the podium following the 3,200-meter final.

North Allegheny’s Zach Kinne leads 5 WPIAL runners on 3,200 medal podium

North Allegheny’s Zachary Kinne was running at Seth Grove Stadium, otherwise the state championship sure felt a lot like the WPIAL meet.

North Allegheny’s Zach Kinne wins the #PIAA Class AAA boys 3,200 meters in a personal-best 9:01.94 #TribHSSN pic.twitter.com/APLhuFNt3G

— Chris Harlan (@CHarlan_Trib) May 25, 2019

Waynesburg’s Daniel Layton captures state title in 110 hurdles

When Waynesburg senior Daniel Layton crossed the finish line after winning the Class AA 110-meter hurdles Saturday, he had a big smile on his face.

Aliquippa sprinter M.J. Devonshire wins gold in 100, 200

Aliquippa has a storied history of all-time great all-around athletes who wore the Quips’ red and black. M.J. Devonshire surely solidified his spot on that list.

Aliquippa’s M.J. Devonshire won the #PIAA Class AA 100-meter dash today, giving him state ?? in track and football … and a spot among the all-time great Quips athletes?#TribHSSN pic.twitter.com/bW3TBNvll8

— Chris Harlan (@CHarlan_Trib) May 25, 2019

Avonworth/Northgate’s Hayden Robinson finds ‘relief’ in 100-meter victory

There, of course, was happiness and excitement as Hayden Robinson crossed the finish line first at Seth Grove Stadium. But, she said, there was also relief.

Avonworth/Northgate’s Hayden Robinson feels “relief” as she wins the #PIAA Class AA 100-meter title after finishing as state runner-up twice #TribHSSN pic.twitter.com/vEmhAV7gzA

— Chris Harlan (@CHarlan_Trib) May 25, 2019

Shady Side Academy’s Melissa Riggins wins twice, breaks PIAA record

Shady Side Academy sophomore Melissa Riggins successfully defended her PIAA 800- and 1,600-meter titles Saturday at the state track and field championships.

Shady Side Academy sophomore Melissa Riggins wins the 800 AA race. @CHarlan_Trib @schofield_jp @TribLiveHSSN @TribSports @schofield_jp pic.twitter.com/ucgDZYrDLw

— JP Schofield (@schofield_jp) May 25, 2019

Riverside senior Calvin Wetzel overcomes back injury to win PIAA hurdles title

A back injury almost kept Riverside senior Calvin Wetzel from competing in track and filed this spring.

Burrell 400 relay breaks school record, wins PIAA gold

Burrell sprinter Jocelyn Vickers ran her opening leg of the 400-meter relay and then hurried toward the finish line to wait for her team’s baton to arrive. She didn’t wait long.

Burrell girls win the 4×100 relay at the #PIAA Class AA track and field championships today in Shippensburg #TribHSSN

?@Hornerfoto1 pic.twitter.com/BwzQLWuNyT

— Chris Harlan (@CHarlan_Trib) May 25, 2019

Final results for the 2019 championships

Chris Harlan is a TribLive reporter covering sports. He joined the Trib in 2009 after seven years as a reporter at the Beaver County Times. He can be reached at charlan@triblive.com.

Tags: Aliquippa, Avonworth, Bethel Park, Brownsville, Burrell, North Allegheny, Northgate, Riverside, Shady Side Academy, Waynesburg