Ronald Porter’s WPIAL gold highlights school year in Penn Hills sports

By: Josh Rizzo
Sunday, June 22, 2025 | 11:01 AM

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Ronald Porter III’s willingness to try something new as a junior and his quick progress from there allowed him to do something during his senior season that was the highlight of the athletics programs at Penn Hills during the 2024-25 school year.

Porter initially came out for track wanting to run the 100 and 200 with his football teammates. When Penn Hills track coach Lee Zelkowitz saw the then-junior up close, he encouraged Porter to try the jumps.

Porter won the WPIAL Class 3A championship in May and went on to place third at the PIAA championships with a leap of 23 feet, 6½ inches.

“It wasn’t on my mind. I knew I was going to do the 100 and 200,” said Porter during his junior season. “They were talking to me about (jumping). I’m glad I did.”

During the WPIAL championships at Slippery Rock University, Porter won the title with a leap of 22-8½.

“I didn’t see it coming, to be honest,” said Porter, who will play football at Cal (Pa.) this fall. “I was jumping 21 feet last year. I never saw myself jumping 23. Whenever it’s a competition, I lock in more.”

Zelkowitz said he was proud of Porter’s progression.

“I knew he had the potential last year,” he said. “He took it to another level this season. He has good pop and good speed going down the runway. He has a consistent approach and has been hitting the board well.”

Mackenzie McIntyre also qualified for states in two events for Penn Hills but chose not to go to the state meet.

Stop the streak

The Indians’ boys volleyball team saw a 64-match losing streak in section matches halted this season. Penn Hills beat Plum in four sets to bring back a losing stretch that dated back to 2018.

Football shakes slow start

Naytel Mitchell met coach Charles Morris’ high expectations all season by piling up more than 1,000 yards on the ground. The most important 80 yards came during the first round of the WPIAL Class 5A playoffs against Moon.

Mitchell carried the ball twice on a two-play, 80-yard drive that ended with his 69-yard touchdown run to carry Penn Hills to a 30-27 victory. The Indians started the season 0-3 but rallied to win seven of their next eight games.

The Indians were eliminated by Upper St. Clair in the quarterfinals.

Boys basketball ends up 2nd

Penn Hills didn’t have much experience returning from last season. The Indians played well enough to finish second, losing 68-61 to Kiski Area in their final Section 2-5A game with the title on the.

Penn Hills (12-10) lost in the first round to Peters Township.

Phipps, Repovich make WPIALs

Indians junior wrestler Daemon Phipps finished tied for a career-high with 25 wins by reaching the WPIAL Class 3A championships at 114 pounds. Bradley Repovich also earned his first spot at WPIALs at 145 pounds and made a six-win improvement over the previous season.

Relay team, Sipple qualify

The 200 free relay team of Clarke Leonard, Anthony Collins, Hunter Boyd and Anthony Sipple competed in the WPIAL Class 3A swimming championships. Sipple also qualified in the 100 back and 50 free.

Tags: Penn Hills