SLIPPERY ROCK — The Slippery Rock boys track and field team was not ready to give up its title as District 10 champion — and it showed.

The Rockets claimed first place in five events and received a bevy of other medalist efforts to earn the Class 2A crown at Saturday's championship meet at Slippery Rock University.

They won the title in Class 3A last year.

"Repeating as district champion is something we talked about since day one," said Slippery Rock coach Tom Meling. "We had a target on our back, every team we faced wanted to beat us, but the boys kept their focus and were determined to win again."

Leading the way for the Rockets was junior Levi Prementine, who won the 110-meter hurdles in a school-record time of 14.83 seconds, the 300 hurdles in a Class 2A state-best 38.71 and the long jump (22 feet, 10¼ inches). He also teamed with Eli Anderson, Sam Schwartz and Tyler Arblaster to win the 4x400 relay in 3:29.97.

"It feels amazing to contribute to another team championship," said Prementine. "It feels good to go back-to-back."

Also taking first place was Arblaster in the 400 run with a time of 50.9 seconds.

The Rockets ran away with the title, scoring 101 points. Harbor Creek was a distant second with 67.

Having his effort contribute to team success is something Schwartz does not take lightly.

"This means a lot to me," he said. "A lot of people think of track and field as an individual sport, but it's great to bring a championship to everyone on the team."

Meling lauded the efforts of team members like sophomore Dustin Joyce.

"We were just hoping he'd place (in the top eight) in the triple jump and he ends up finishing second and is headed to states. That was big," he said.

Prementine's first action on the track came late in the morning when he ran in the prelims for the 110 hurdles in steady rain.

"I had to be a little more cautious than usual," he said. "The track was wet and I just wanted to make sure I finished with a time that would get me to the finals."

Anderson placed third in the event with a state-qualifying time of 15.33.

"He's my main competition every day in practice," Prementine said. "It's who can first get to that first hurdle, who can finish the event in a faster time."

Anderson also made states by placing second in the 300 hurdles.

"My goal is to stay close to Levi," he said. "Last year was my first year running the hurdles and getting to the state meet in both events is a big achievement for me."

Arblaster's best time in the 400 this season, 50.34 seconds, came at the Butler County Classic the first week of April.

"That gave me a lot of confidence early in the season," he said. "Today, I came around that last turn and knew I had a decent lead and it felt good."

Arblaster will compete at states in the 100 and 200 dash as well.

Following are the Slippery Rock High athletes who earned a medal by placing in the top eight at the District 10 Class 2A Track and Field Championships, held Saturday at Slippery Rock University.

(*) Denotes state qualifier

Girls

3,200 relay: 4-Slippery Rock (Ashley Ragan, Tessa Szymanski, Raely FaJohn, Halie Halberg) 10:36.59; 100 hurdles: 2-Aiva Reich 16.25*; 800 run: 3-Ashley Ragan 2:29.09; 3,200 run: 7-Tessa Szymanski 12:29.35; Javelin: 2-Natalie Double 108-11*; Long jump: 3-Julia Coffaro 17-1.5*; Triple jump: 4-Julia Coffaro 35-4.5; Pole vault: 5-Elise DiFrischia 8-6

Boys

3,200 relay: 5-Slippery Rock (Sam Schwartz, Leshan Chen, Viktor Zahn, Anthony Robare) 8:42.55; 110 hurdles: 1-Levi Prementine 14.83*; 3-Eli Anderson 15.33*; 100 dash: 4-Tyler Arblaster 11.26*; 400 run: 1-Tyler Arblaster 50.9*; 400 relay: 5-Slippery Rock (Dustin Joyce, Trent Davey, Jesse Gahring, Eli Anderson) 45.08; 300 hurdles: 1-Levi Prementine 38.71*; 2-Eli Anderson 39.55*; 200 dash: 2-Tyler Arblaster 22.39*; 1,600 relay: 1-Slippery Rock (Eli Anderson, Sam Schwartz, Levi Prementine, Tyler Arblaster) 3:29.97*; Shot put: 4-Zach Hoehn 46-1; Long jump: 1-Levi Prementine 22-10.25*; Triple jump: 2-Dustin Joyce 42-8.25*; Pole vault: 6-Nate Jesteadt 11-0