Sports

Butler boys, North Allegheny girls win WPIAL track titles

By Paul Schofield, The Tribune-Review, Greensburg The Tribune Content Agency

May 6, 2026 6:11 AM

May 5-Butler and North Allegheny high school each added another WPIAL track and field trophy to their case Tuesday.

The Butler boys won their 12th overall and fourth in the past six years by defeating Seneca Valley (76-74), Norwin (79-71) and Hempfield (98-52). Norwin finished second by defeating Seneca Valley (83-67) and Hempfield (101-49).

North Allegheny claimed its 12th title, tying Butler for the most girls titles. The Tigers defeated Norwin (89-61), Hempfield (97-53) and Mt. Lebanon (81-69). Mt. Lebanon and Norwin tied (75-75), but the Blue Devils collected the runner-up trophy by outscoring the Knights (226-215).

"You take nothing for granted," Butler coach Mike Seybert said. "There were four great teams here, and getting to 76 points was the key.

"We have a great group of seniors, and it was exciting to see them go out on top. It was awesome to see them pull together."

Leading the way for the Golden Tornado were double individual winners Kevin Shriver (100 and 200 meters) and Brendan Eicher (1,600 and 3,200).

Butler had eight first-place finishes.

Pacing Norwin was Jeremiah Francis. He won the 110 hurdles and the long jump. He placed second in the 300 hurdles.

"I am proud of our efforts," Norwin coach Tim Van Horn said. "There was a lot of great competition. Both the boys and girls performed well. Annie (Czajkowski) had a great day."

The Knights boys had six first-place finishes, and the girls had two.

North Allegheny dominated the field events, winning five of seven events. The Tigers won eight events overall.

"We were dynamite in the field," North Allegheny coach John Neff said. "Everyone pulled together. If one person was having a tough day, someone else picked them up.

"There were so many great teams. Any one of the teams could have won here."

The field winners for the Tigers were Avery Ruffus (triple jump), Lindsay Breneman (pole vault), Audrey Maxwell (discus), Emma Neese (javelin) and Taylor Neese (shot put). Ruffus broke the school record.

Mt. Lebanon had five champions. Kiera Kraemer won the long jump and shared first place with Hempfield's Mayla Brunazzi.

The Spartans' other winners were Angelina Overfield (100 hurdles) and Chesnee Smith (800).

"I felt the girls race was wide open," Hempfield coach Ron Colland said. "Butler was the clear favorite on the boys side.

"Chesnee had another great day. Mayla had a nice win and Angelina had a solid day. There were a lot pf personal records set."

Brayden Ser was the Spartans' winner for the boys. He won the high jump with a jump of 6-foot-5.

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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.