Notable changes to the 2024-25, 2025-26 WPIAL gymnastics alignment

By: Bill Hartlep
Monday, August 19, 2024 | 11:17 AM

The WPIAL released new section alignments for the next two-year cycle in all sports, and changes will be implemented starting this fall.

This summer, the Tribune-Review will break down changes for each of the WPIAL sports.

Here’s a look at the upcoming WPIAL gymnastics season:

2023-24 WPIAL championships

WPIAL team champion: Pine-Richland

WPIAL all-around: Abby Rexrode, Baldwin (Advanced); Macey McKinney, West Allegheny (Intermediate I); Marina Pinchioti, Hopewell (Intermediate II)

WPIAL vault: Rexrode (Advanced); Abby Getch, North Catholic (Intermediate I); Sierra Dickert, North Allegheny (Intermediate II)

WPIAL bars: Rexrode (Advanced); Jordyn Kunselman, OLSH (Intermediate I); Ava Hickman, Hempfield (Intermediate II)

WPIAL beam: Oliva Kovach, Mt. Pleasant (Advanced); McKinney (Intermediate I); Addyson Figley, West Allegheny (Intermediate II)

WPIAL floor: Rexrode (Advanced); Alayna Kelly, South Side (Intermediate I); Rylie Teapole, Beaver (Intermediate II)

Notable changes

• The WPIAL field grew by two teams for the next two-year cycle, forming two eight-team sections. Hempfield has joined Section 1, and Beaver will compete in Section 2.

• The top three teams in each section as determined by section record qualify for the team championships.

• The individual championship is open to all competitors who have achieved designated qualifying scores.

Past champions

• Pine-Richland dethroned Moon last season as WPIAL champion, ending the Tigers’ two-year run.

The Rams now have four WPIAL championships.

The Tigers have eight titles overall, trailing only North Allegheny’s 18 for most in WPIAL history.

Other multiple winners are Baldwin with three and Butler, Hampton, North Hills and Thomas Jefferson, with two each.

Central Valley won the 2021 championship after Thomas Jefferson captured back-to-back titles.

• Pine-Richland went 7-0 overall and 6-0 in Section 1 last season. Baldwin (7-1, 5-1) and North Allegheny (6-2, 4-2) also qualified for the team postseason from Section 1. The Section 2 qualifiers were Moon (8-0, 6-0), Central Valley (5-2, 5-1) and West Allegheny (5-3, 4-2).

• Baldwin’s Abby Rexrode, a rising senior, won a third straight all-around title last year, joining three others who have won three all-around gold medals: Hopewell’s Kelly Burak (2010-12) and North Allegheny’s Jamie Davic (1993-95) and Angie Evans (1986-88).

Key dates

Nov. 15: First practice date

Nov. 23: First scrimmage date

Nov. 29: First play date

Dec. 9: First section date

Feb. 7: WPIAL team championships

Feb. 8: WPIAL individual championships

Feb. 14-15: PA Classic state championships

2024-25, 2025-26 alignment

Section 1: Baldwin, Burrell, Fox Chapel, Hempfield, North Allegheny, North Hills, Pine-Richland, Thomas Jefferson

Section 2: Beaver, Central Valley, Chartiers Valley, Hopewell, Montour, Moon, South Side, West Allegheny

Bill Hartlep is the TribLive sports editor. A Pittsburgh native and Point Park graduate, he joined the Trib in 2004, covering high school sports. He held various editing roles before assuming his current position in 2019. He can be reached at bhartlep@triblive.com.

Tags: Baldwin, Beaver, Central Valley, Hempfield, Hopewell, Moon, North Allegheny, Pine-Richland, South Side, Thomas Jefferson, West Allegheny