Freeport’s Michael Braun adds 2nd state medal to his collection

By: Chris Harlan
Saturday, May 25, 2024 | 6:48 PM

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SHIPPENSBURG — After crossing the finish line at Seth Grove Stadium, distance runners are ushered to the infield turf where they can go in a few different directions.

Some make their way toward the shade of their team tents, which Freeport’s Michael Braun did a year ago. But this year, instead of going straight to the blue canopy tucked behind the scoreboard, Braun took a detour.

Twice, he walked to the medals stand.

A day after winning his first PIAA medal in the 1,600 meters, Braun added another Saturday by finishing third in the Class 2A boys 3,200 at the state track and field championships.

This week wasn’t his favorite weather for running — temps in the 80s and scorching sun — but Braun left Shippensburg saying he felt great about two days spent in the sunshine.

“Definitely,” he said. “(Class) 2A is pretty competitive. I’m happy I was able to come here my second year and be able to get seventh in the mile and third in the 2-mile.”

Braun crossed the line for the 3,200 meters in 9 minutes, 16.91 seconds.

His time was about 14 seconds off his personal-best from last month, but Braun said the state race became more about strategy than record-setting speed.

“It’s more racing than going for time,” he said, “which I’m still not really used to yet.”

Mohawk junior Jaxon Schoedel won the 3,200 in 9:10.45, and Coudersport’s Kevin Sherry was second at 9:16.40. Braun had more than a three-second edge over fourth place.

“Just stick with the main group,” Braun said of his strategy, “and try to outkick everybody the last 800.”

Knoch junior Kara Fennell placed in two events Saturday in 2A girls, finishing third in the triple jump and sixth in the pole vault.

Fennell’s triple jump distance of 38 feet, 10 1/2 inches, was more than 10 inches better than her WPIAL championship mark from last week. She topped 38 feet twice Saturday.

In the pole vault, Fennell tied for sixth at 11 feet.

Fox Chapel senior Anna Troutman placed sixth in the 3A girls high jump at 5-4. Troutman cleared the bar at 5-0, 5-2 and 5-4 on her first attempt at each height.

Foxes sophomore Claire Conti finished ninth in the 3A girls shot put, Anna Kintner was 14th in the girls long jump and Rowan Gwin was 16th in the boys 3,200.

Apollo-Ridge’s Conner Henderson was 10th in the 2A boys pole vault at 13-6. In the boys javelin, Apollo-Ridge’s Karter Schrock was 13th, and teammate Jaden McCray was 18th.

Kiski Area’s Eliza Miller was 21st in the girls 3,200 meters. Deer Lakes’ Zach Kruse was 28th in the boys 800.

Riverview’s Lola Abraham was 17th in the 2A girls triple jump, Carlo Buzzatto was 16th in the boys discus and Micah Ivy was 27th in the 800.

This was the second year that Braun qualified for states, having placed 10th in the 3,200 meters last season. He said he came back this year feeling far more confident.

“It’s a completely different experience, even like checking in and preparing for the race,” he said Friday. “You have to do things a little bit different because of the schedule. … Last year, that was all new to me.”

On Friday, he wasn’t immediately certain he had earned a spot on the 1,600-meter medal stand. He and Schoedel were seeded in a slow heat, so they had to run and then hold their breath for results.

“They started reading the names of who was going to go on the podium, and they put me at No. 7,” Braun said. “I was pretty pumped about that.”

On Saturday, there was no doubt he had earned a spot on the 3,200 stand with his third-place finish and already was looking forward to next year. Especially because he now knows the path to the medal stand.

“I’m a lot more relaxed,” he said, “and a lot more prepared.”

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: Freeport