Ligonier Valley’s John Jablunovsky wins PIAA track gold

By: Paul Schofield
Friday, May 23, 2025 | 8:07 PM

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SHIPPENSBURG — John Jablunovsky has had some good days on the track, but none better than Friday at the PIAA track and field championships.

The Ligonier Valley senior jumped a personal-record 6 feet, 6 inches to win the Class 2A high jump at Seth Grove Stadium.

He also might have been the second athlete in the school’s history to win a state medal in track. Cale Hood won the 300-meter hurdles in 2003.

Jablunovsky had a great day, missing only once before he attempted to break the school record of 6-7. He just missed on three tries at 6-7¹⁄₄.

“Honestly, with how bad the weather was this morning, I genuinely did not think I was going to do that great,” Jablunovsky said. “But I tried not to focus on that and as the meet progressed, I just tried to focus on me and not anybody else.”

After Jablunovsky was preparing to make his attempt at the school record, he noticed someone tore off the tape marking his takeoff. He then had to take time to mark things off.

“At first, I thought that would have messed me up because I looked down and noticed that it was not there. So after I got all situated, I tried not to think about it.

“I did not get 6-7¹⁄₄, but I am still happy to place first. The way I cleared 6-6, and did not want to match my school’s record, that’s why I went for it.”

Jablunovsky said he does not have any college offers, but he hopes college coaches who saw him this week will call.

Norwin junior Annie Czajkowski made her third trip in Class 3A, but this time she is returning home with a medal. She placed eighth in the 1,600.

Czajkowski hopes to earn another Saturday when she competes in the 3,200.

“I have bettered my times every year,” Czajkowski said. “It was great to place, and I am really happy. I was seeded 13, and I was expected to place.”

Czajkowski set a personal record of 4:56.52. She bested her previous best by a second.

“I would like another medal, but if I can get into the high 10:40s I would be satisfied,” Czajkowski said. “I am confident that I can do that because I ran well indoors in the 3K.”

Her time in the 3,200 is 11:04.70.

Czajkowski’s teammates, seniors Ryan Schiller and Brandi Brozeski, qualified in the high hurdles and will return home with medals.

Greensburg Central Catholic had three runners advance to Saturday’s finals.

Junior Jerry Davis qualified first in the 400 and seventh in the 200. Senior Eva Denis qualified for the 100 dash and Sasha Hoffman in the 100 hurdles. Those two are part of the 400 relay team that qualified.

Also qualifying for the final is Penn-Trafford senior Aidon Lett in the 300 hurdles. His twin brother, Ekoulus, finished ninth but failed to qualify.

Ligonier Valley’s Katia Gunter was ninth in the 400.

Geibel’s Emma Larkins qualified in the 400 and the 300 hurdles.

California senior Lee Qualk saved his best for last.

All it took was being relaxed.

Despite competing in heavy rain, Qualk uncorked his winning jump in the PIAA Class 2A long jump of 22 feet, 10 1/2 inches on his final attempt of the event.

Qualk became the first boy in school history to win a PIAA title and the second athlete at the school to be a PIAA champion. He joins thrower Kailyn Clancy, a two-time 2A shot put winner in 2013 and 2014.

“What a way to go out,” Qualk said. “Jumping in the rain was tough, but right before my last attempt it cleared up and I felt I had a little more wind behind me.

“I felt like I was ready to jump my best jump of the day. It was awesome. I could not be happier.”

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.