Discus champs from Penn-Trafford, Hempfield to meet again at states

By: Paul Schofield
Thursday, May 23, 2024 | 9:00 PM

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Hempfield senior Peyton Murray and Penn-Trafford senior Matt Sarnowski have battled all season to see who will be the best discus thrower in the state.

Murray, the reigning PIAA Class 3A champion, has the best throw of the season — 186 feet, 3 inches — which he set April 20 at the Roddick High School Invitational at Shippensburg.

But Sarnowski defeated Murray in the WPIAL finals May 15 with a throw of 185-10.

There are other boys across the state that could ruin the showdown of Westmoreland County throwers. Strath Haven’s Gavin Schmidt has thrown 179-0, Berks Catholic’s Brady Mider 176-5 and Exeter’s Josiah Newman-Kegerise 175-2.

Murray was visibly disappointed with his performance at WPIALs. He said he spent the week working on little things.

“Sure, I wanted to win the WPIAL, but Matt threw better,” Murray said. “I feel I’m stronger that he is, but he’s a lot smoother in his spin. My focus is defending my title.”

Murray said he hopes being in the circle at Shippensburg already this season will help him.

Sarnowski has beaten Murray three times and said Murray might have slight edge because he’s been in the circle.

“I think we’re even,” Sarnowski said. “It’s great competition every time we meet. It’s been neck and neck. I think we’re always within feet almost every time.

“The circle is definitely to his advantage. I threw there last year; it’s a nice circle.”

Those two won’t be the only athletes from the WPIAL putting their talents on display.

Butler senior Drew Griffith and Ringgold senior Ryan Pajak, both Notre Dame commits, have turned heads with their performances in the 1,600- and 3,200-meter runs. Griffith nearly broke the four-minute mile at the Butler Invitational last month.

Griffith has run a 3:59.81 in the 1,600 and a 8:37.43 in the 3,200. Pajak is close behind with a 4:07.06 in the 1,600 and an 8:38.02 in the 3,200.

The WPIAL has five of the top six times in the state in the 1,600. Following Griffith and Pajak are Beaver’s Elijah Bechdel (third at 4:11.29), Fox Chapel’s Rowan Gwin (fourth at 4:11.51) and North Allegheny’s Jack Bartram (sixth at 4:12.40). Hampton’s Dale Hall is ninth with a time of 4:13.16.

In the 3,200, it’s Griffith, Pajak, Bertram and Gwin, whereas in Class 2A, Mohawk’s Jaxon Schoedel is first (9:01.40) and Freeport’s Michael Braun is second (9:02.76).

Athletes from the WPIAL are seeded No. 1 in 15 events.

Derry junior Sophia Mazzoni is looking to claim a PIAA title in the javelin. She has the top throw for girls in either classification at 159-0.

“Coming into WPIALs, I told myself to relax and do my thing,” Mazzoni said. “My second throw, I hit 159.”

She placed second in the PIAA last year.

“I’m ready to get in there,” Mazzoni said. “I’m ready to stand atop of that podium.”

Greensburg Salem sophomore Luke Rullo is looking to come home with a couple of medals. He’ll be competing in the long jump and triple jump. He missed last year’s track season with an injury.

“Not being able to compete last year, I think I overachieved this year,” Rullo said. “I’m proud of myself, and I’m still a little frustrated that I didn’t do as well in the long jump (at WPIALs). I have (states) to redeem myself.”

He placed second in the triple jump and fifth in the long jump.

Rullo is looking to break the school’s long jump record of 22 feet, 3 1/2 inches set by Mike Crimboli in 1970.

Rullo’s best jump is 21-11 1/2.

Norwin has 20 athletes competing in the state meet and Penn-Trafford nine. Hempfield and Greensburg Central Catholic have seven, and Latrobe has six.

PIAA Track and Field Championships

Seth Grove Stadium, Shippensburg University

Friday’s schedule

9 a.m.: 1600 final and 2A girls high jump and discus; 3A girls pole vault and shot put; 2A boys long jump and javelin; 3A boys triple jump and start of preliminaries in the 100, 100 and 110 hurdles; 400-meter relay; 300 hurdles, 200 and 1,600 meter relay. 12:30 p.m.: 2A girls long jump and javelin; 3A girls triple jump; 2A boys high jump and discus; and 3A boys pole vault

Saturday’s schedule

(all running finals)

9 a.m.: 3200; 10 a.m.: 100 hurdles; 10:15 a.m.: 110 hurdles; 10:20 a.m.: Unified Division 100; 10:50 a.m.: 100; 11 a.m.: 3200-meter relay; 1 p.m.: Unified Division 400-meter relay; 1:05 p.m.: 400-meter relay; 1:20 pm.: 1:40 p.m.: 400; 1:55 p.m.: 300 hurdles; 2:10 p.m.: Unified Division: 800; 2:25 p.m.: 800; 3 p.m.: 200; 3:20 p.m.: 1600-meter relay

Field events

9 a.m.: 2A girls pole vault and shot put; 3A girls high jump and discus; 2A boys triple jump; 3A boys long jump and javelin. 12:30 p.m.: 2A girls triple jump; 3A girls long jump and javelin; 2A boys pole vault and shot put; 3A boys discus and high jump.

WPIAL athletes seeded No. 1

3A boys: 1600: Drew Griffith, Butler (4:03.22); 3200: Drew Griffith, Butler (8:41.60); Discus: Matt Sarnowski, Penn-Trafford (185-10).

3A girls: 3200: Logan St. John Kletter, Mount Lebanon (10:19.78); Shot put: Jamie Frisco, North Allegheny (40-1 ¼).

2A boys: 100: DeJuan Croumbles, Neighborhood Academy (10.73); 3200: Jaxon Schoedel. Mohawk (9:16.03); Triple jump: Lorenzo Fancher, East Allegheny (45-5 ½);

2A girls: 100: Hayzes Robinson, Avonworth (12:05); 400 relay: Winchester Thurston (48.77); 400: Tori Atkins, Laurel (55.54); 800: Eilidh Edgar, Trinity Christian (2:14.76); 3200: Chelsea Hartman, Shady Side Academy (10:48.33); 1600 relay: Avonworth/Northgate (3:56.48); Javelin: Sophia Mazzoni, Derry Area (159-0).

Paul Schofield is a TribLive reporter covering high school and college sports and local golf. He joined the Trib in 1995 after spending 15 years at the Daily Courier in Connellsville, where he served as sports editor for 14 years. He can be reached at pschofield@triblive.com.