Victory laps: Quaker Valley sweeps boys, girls team titles at PIAA track meet

By: Ray Fisher
Sunday, June 1, 2025 | 11:01 AM

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Quaker Valley’s track and field teams had a great Memorial Day weekend, carving out memories that will last a lifetime.

The Quakers’ track and field program was represented by 16 athletes in 24 events, along with four relay teams, at the PIAA Class 2A meet May 23-24 at Shippensburg University.

With such a large volume of top-flight competitors, QV was a favorite — at least in the boys meet — to bring home its first state title in school history in track and field.

And the Quakers didn’t disappoint.

QV’s two-time WPIAL champion boys team racked up 75 points to finish first by a wide margin, easily defeating Nativity BVM with 30 points and Lewisburg with 27.33.

“The boys set three school records at the state meet,” QV coach Jared Jones said. “The boys team now owns six school records and five second-best all-time performances. Ten different boys from this team hold top two marks in QV history.

“This extraordinary team also set a new record for most points ever scored by any 2A or 3A boys team at the PIAA championship meet. The boys join Aliquippa as the only other 2A team in the WPIAL to win a state championship in track and field.”

QV’s girls team, which won its fourth consecutive WPIAL championship this spring, finished first in the PIAA scoring with 54 points. Lewisburg, the Day 1 leader, ended up with 47, and was followed by Laurel with 31.

“For the girls, this marks the first time any QV team has won a state championship in any sport,” Jones said. “They join only two other WPIAL 2A schools to ever win a state championship in (girls) track and field.”

The girls team had nine qualifiers in 14 events along with one relay team quality for the PIAA meet. QV’s boys team had seven athletes in 10 events and all three relays advance to states.

Some of the highlights for the boys team were the winning performances of the 1,600-meter relay and 3,200-meter relay teams along with sophomore Jonah Montagnese’s exciting first-place finish in the 1,600.

Seniors Clark LaLomia and Davin “Macky” Gartley, junior Jayden Juliano and sophomore James Irwin combined to win the 1,600 relay in 3:21.69, as Irwin valiantly held off the anchor runners from Pottsville Nativity (3:22.05) and Central Columbia (3:22.78).

“It is amazing being part of a team that carries such a high name for itself,” Irwin said. “We were dialed in, and even though we knew we could bring it home, the pressure was still on, and I was fully confident going into this race knowing that each guy on that relay would leave it all out there. We all pushed ourselves to the limit and got it done. It’s an amazing feeling to compete at that level, and I’m already looking forward to being back there in the years to come.

“As for our title as state champs, it’s unreal to be part of a team that achieved such a huge goal that we worked so hard for. All the early mornings, tough practices and sacrifices we made this season showed in that victory. It wasn’t just individual talent; it was a total team effort, and I’m beyond proud of the guys on this squad.”

The 3,200 relay team — Montagnese, junior River Capek, senior Jackson Pethel and LaLomia — clicked with a winning 7:56.89 effort to easily beat Winchester Thurston (8:00.11), another WPIAL school.

Montagnese was clocked at 4:11.06 in the 1,600 to capture the top spot ever so slightly ahead of Mohawk’s Jaxon Schroeder (4:11.47) and Freeport’s Michael Braun (4:11.97).

“I’m honestly still processing the win in the 1,600,” Montagnese said. “Going into the race I knew it was going to be very close, and I knew if I played my cards right I would come away with the win.”

Montagnese also placed fourth in the 3,200 in 9:10.57 and sixth in the 800 in 1:57.82 to earn four PIAA medals over the weekend and help propel the Quakers to the team championship.

“We knew we were the favorites for the state championship,” Montagnese said, “but that didn’t mean we weren’t going push as hard as we could in every race. We scored the highest total in the history of the meet. I think this group of guys knew from the start of the season what the goal was, and I think all of our hard work and training really came together for the perfect ending to this historic season.”

The Quakers also were pushed toward the team championship by Gartley, who placed second in a photo finish in both the 110 hurdles (14.28) and 300 hurdles (37.58), and LaLomia, the 800-meter runner-up (1:56.56).

Gartley’s hurdles events proved dramatic.

“I am a little upset about my silver linings in the hurdles,” said Gartley, the WPIAL champion in both events, “but was happy to score for the team. I was excited to help both relays score points.

“Our team had an incredible performance. We were the most dominant (2A) team in the state. I am very proud of everyone and really grateful for our coaches, who got us to where we are.”

Gartley made a courageous dive at the 300 hurdles finish line but fell two-hundredths of a second short of catching Corry’s Blake Cook, who recorded a time of 37.56.

The QV hurdler lost out to Nativity BVM’s Noah Dolbin (14.10) in another close finish in the 110 hurdles.

Irwin placed third in the 400 (49.17) while Pethel finished fourth in the 800 (1:57.11).

LaLomia was thrilled with his relay running but not as pleased with his 800 performance.

“I was really happy to be able to provide a good leg to both winning relays, but I think I underperformed in the open 800,” LaLomia said. “All-around though, it was a large improvement from last year, so I’m very pleased.

“And the team performed exceptionally; everyone did their job really well and it showed. I’m so proud of how everyone carried themselves and performed when it counted most. To win Quaker Valley’s first (boys) team title is amazing, and I’m honored to have been a part of it. There’s no one I’d rather have accomplished this with than with my teammates and coaches; without them none of this would have been possible.”

Finally, the 400-meter relay team, consisting of Gartley, Irwin, sophomore Kieran Cain and senior Winston Clifford, ended up seventh in 43.39.

Senior Jay Olawaiye sparked the Quaker Valley girls squad by winning the triple jump with a distance of 38 feet, 9.75 inches to outshine Winchester Thurston’s Alexis Banish, the runner-up with a 38-7.5 mark. Olawaiye was in eighth place heading into the finals of the event.

“I can’t believe I won a state title,” Olawaiye said. “I didn’t win at WPIALs, and I was seeded third coming in, so I didn’t fully expect to win the state meet. But I stayed motivated, energized and positive throughout the entire meet. I worked hard in the weeks leading up to the jump, and I am so blessed that everything worked in my favor. I gratefully and humbly accept the honor that is the PIAA gold medal.

“What a weekend for Quaker Valley track. I am so proud of the girls team for coming through and winning the state title. Each girl contributed majorly to the win. I was so glad that I had the privilege to stand by this group of girls while holding the state trophy. Everyone on the team is so talented athletic and determined; their hard work helped QV win the title.”

QV’s Cecilia Montagnese, another standout senior, enjoyed an outstanding weekend as a triple medalist.

She finished second in the 1,600 on Day 1, smashing her personal record with a 4:50.58 effort, and second in the 3,200 on Day 2 with a 10:26.78 time.

“I’m really happy for what I was able to run at the state meet this year. I did not expect to run eight seconds faster (in the 1,600), but that was really cool,” Montagnese said. “It was a really strong group of competition, and it was so fun to race at a high level like that. I was pretty excited with all of my times.

“I am incredibly proud of the entire team for being able to accomplish something that no other girls track team at our school has been able to do. It was so fun to hear our name on the loudspeaker and to get the trophy. Our girls worked so hard all year, so I’m glad we were able to succeed. I definitely couldn’t have asked for a better team.”

Montagnese was just as thrilled over her runner-up performance in the 3,200.

“Super excited,” she said. “I did not make states last year, so it was exciting to pick up medals. It was actually nice to have someone out front leading the way. I am used to running by myself.”

The QV distance runner also finished fourth in the 800 in 2:13.91.

Meanwhile, Oumou “Mimi” Thiero, a 6-foot-4 junior and one of the top girls basketball recruits in the state, placed second in the high jump by clearing a height of 5-7.

Sophomore Evie Rosselli was awarded the runner-up position in the pole vault event by clearing a height of 12-0.

The winner, Freeport’s Mackenzie Magness, made it over the same height on her first attempt compared to Rosselli’s one miss. Grove City’s Aleah Morgante also cleared 12-0 but had two misses. Rosselli had a ninth-place showing in the 100 hurdles.

“I exceeded my expectations by getting second in the pole vault,” Rosselli said, “and I’m looking forward to competing at the state championships in the future. The girls did amazing (as a team). I’m so grateful and proud to be a part of that experience.”

Other medalists for the Quakers were the 400-meter relay team, consisting of Rosselli, seniors Kwilai Karto and Vanessa Pickett and sophomore Rose Pocasangre, who placed fourth in 49.12. Pickett also landed in seventh place in the long jump (17-8.5).

More PIAA qualifiers for QV were Karto (100, 200), freshman Lucy Montagnese (3,200), Pocasangre (300 hurdles) and senior Sarah Minard (pole vault).

For the boys team, Xander Vescio (110 hurdles), a junior, and Clifford (high jump) also were state qualifiers.

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