Butler’s Drew Griffith starts the race out as he ended up winning first place in the boys 3,200 meters in Class AAA In the WPIAL Track and Field Championships at Slippery Rock University. Justin Guido/Butler Eagle 05/17/23

SLIPPERY ROCK — Drew Griffith had already accomplished a lot in his varsity career prior to competing at Wednesday’s WPIAL Track and Field Championships at Slippery Rock University.

Winning an individual district championship was not on that list, but it is now, times two.

The junior won the Class 3A boys 1,600 and 3,200-meter runs. The first title came with a time of four minutes, 9.53 seconds.

“It’s four seconds from my personal-best, but I’m happy with it, especially since I had already run in the 4x800 earlier today,” said Griffith, who beat out Ringgold’s Ryan Pajak by just over three and a half seconds for the crown.

“I was fine with letting Ryan take the lead at the start, let him do his thing, and then reel him in later. I took the lead for good with about 600 meters left.”

Griffith and Pajak would meet again in the 3,200. The latter had a late lead before Griffith passed him with about 60 meters remaining and won with a time of 9:04.80.

“I wanted that win and just went after it,” said Griffith.

His teammates on Butler’s 4x400 relay closed the meet with another win.

Jake Fallecker, Aaron Stebick, Drew Knight and Landon Lacey topped the field with a finish of 3:25.53.

When Lacey, the anchor, received the baton, Butler was in second place behind Mt. Lebanon.

“This was my first week back after being injured,” Lacey said. “Getting the win means a lot. We’d won the last two 4x4s here and this keeps that tradition going.”

Jacob Thompson had turned in a superb season, even before he took to the blocks for the 400 run. But Mars’ senior added to it by winning the event in 49.76 seconds, a fourth of a second from his career best.

“I’m in shock,” he exclaimed. “I’ve come a long way and I’m proud of what I did.

“I felt Brennan (McClafferty) from West Allegheny on my shoulder with about 150 meters left and I just kicked it in.”

Thompson crossed the finish line .09 seconds ahead of McClafferty.

Freeport sophomore Michael Braun entered Class 2A’s 3,200 run as the top seed, then showed his form in winning with a time of 9:23.64.

“I just missed out on the podium (top eight) here last year, ran a 9:45.9,” he said. “That was my breakout performance and it really opened me up to my potential.

“I knew there were four or five other guys who could give me trouble today, but just trusted in my training and coaches.”

Another Yellowjacket, Isaac Wetzel, also brought a district championship back to Freeport, claiming the 300 hurdles in 38.9.

“I ran my best-ever time in the 110 hurdles today (placing second at 14.72),” said Wetzel. “That gave me a lot of confidence and I just knew I’d have a good time in the 300.”