Butler boys, girls advance to WPIAL track and field team championships after ‘next level’ performances
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Butler’s Kevin Shriver, left, receives the baton from Logan Ekas during the first handoff of the boys 4x100 meter race in the WPIAL Track and Field Team Championship semifinals on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, at Butler High School's Art Bernardi Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler’s Carter Ekas anchored the Tornados 4x400 team and secured the win with a split time of 48.18 seconds and overall time of 3:20.43 in the WPIAL Track and Field Team Championship semifinals on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, at Butler High School's Art Bernardi Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler’s Jocie Slesinski takes first place in the girl’s 400-meter race with a time of 57.91 in the WPIAL Track and Field Team Championship semifinals on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, at Butler High School's Art Bernardi Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Butler boys and girls track teams took first place in the WPIAL Track and Field Team Championship semifinals on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, at Butler High School's Art Bernardi Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Butler boys and girls track teams took first place in the WPIAL Track and Field Team Championship semifinals on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, at Butler High School's Art Bernardi Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Butler boys and girls track teams took first place in the WPIAL Track and Field Team Championship semifinals on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, at Butler High School's Art Bernardi Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Butler boys and girls track teams took first place in the WPIAL Track and Field Team Championship semifinals on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, at Butler High School's Art Bernardi Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Butler boys and girls track teams took first place in the WPIAL Track and Field Team Championship semifinals on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, at Butler High School's Art Bernardi Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Butler boys and girls track teams took first place in the WPIAL Track and Field Team Championship semifinals on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, at Butler High School's Art Bernardi Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Butler boys and girls track teams took first place in the WPIAL Track and Field Team Championship semifinals on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, at Butler High School's Art Bernardi Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Butler boys and girls track teams took first place in the WPIAL Track and Field Team Championship semifinals on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, at Butler High School's Art Bernardi Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Butler boys and girls track teams took first place in the WPIAL Track and Field Team Championship semifinals on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, at Butler High School's Art Bernardi Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Butler boys and girls track teams took first place in the WPIAL Track and Field Team Championship semifinals on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, at Butler High School's Art Bernardi Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Butler boys and girls track teams took first place in the WPIAL Track and Field Team Championship semifinals on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, at Butler High School's Art Bernardi Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Butler boys and girls track teams took first place in the WPIAL Track and Field Team Championship semifinals on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, at Butler High School's Art Bernardi Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Butler boys and girls track teams took first place in the WPIAL Track and Field Team Championship semifinals on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, at Butler High School's Art Bernardi Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Butler boys and girls track teams took first place in the WPIAL Track and Field Team Championship semifinals on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, at Butler High School's Art Bernardi Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Butler boys and girls track teams took first place in the WPIAL Track and Field Team Championship semifinals on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, at Butler High School's Art Bernardi Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Butler boys and girls track teams took first place in the WPIAL Track and Field Team Championship semifinals on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, at Butler High School's Art Bernardi Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Butler boys and girls track teams took first place in the WPIAL Track and Field Team Championship semifinals on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, at Butler High School's Art Bernardi Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Butler boys and girls track teams took first place in the WPIAL Track and Field Team Championship semifinals on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, at Butler High School's Art Bernardi Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Butler boys and girls track teams took first place in the WPIAL Track and Field Team Championship semifinals on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, at Butler High School's Art Bernardi Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Butler boys and girls track teams took first place in the WPIAL Track and Field Team Championship semifinals on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, at Butler High School's Art Bernardi Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Butler boys and girls track teams took first place in the WPIAL Track and Field Team Championship semifinals on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, at Butler High School's Art Bernardi Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Butler boys and girls track teams took first place in the WPIAL Track and Field Team Championship semifinals on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, at Butler High School's Art Bernardi Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Butler boys and girls track teams took first place in the WPIAL Track and Field Team Championship semifinals on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, at Butler High School's Art Bernardi Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Butler boys and girls track teams took first place in the WPIAL Track and Field Team Championship semifinals on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, at Butler High School's Art Bernardi Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Butler boys and girls track teams took first place in the WPIAL Track and Field Team Championship semifinals on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, at Butler High School's Art Bernardi Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Butler boys and girls track teams took first place in the WPIAL Track and Field Team Championship semifinals on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, at Butler High School's Art Bernardi Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Butler boys and girls track teams took first place in the WPIAL Track and Field Team Championship semifinals on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, at Butler High School's Art Bernardi Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Butler boys and girls track teams took first place in the WPIAL Track and Field Team Championship semifinals on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, at Butler High School's Art Bernardi Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Butler boys and girls track teams took first place in the WPIAL Track and Field Team Championship semifinals on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, at Butler High School's Art Bernardi Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Butler boys and girls track teams took first place in the WPIAL Track and Field Team Championship semifinals on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, at Butler High School's Art Bernardi Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Butler boys and girls track teams took first place in the WPIAL Track and Field Team Championship semifinals on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, at Butler High School's Art Bernardi Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Butler boys and girls track teams took first place in the WPIAL Track and Field Team Championship semifinals on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, at Butler High School's Art Bernardi Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Butler boys and girls track teams took first place in the WPIAL Track and Field Team Championship semifinals on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, at Butler High School's Art Bernardi Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Butler boys and girls track teams took first place in the WPIAL Track and Field Team Championship semifinals on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, at Butler High School's Art Bernardi Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Butler boys and girls track teams took first place in the WPIAL Track and Field Team Championship semifinals on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, at Butler High School's Art Bernardi Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Butler boys and girls track teams took first place in the WPIAL Track and Field Team Championship semifinals on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, at Butler High School's Art Bernardi Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Butler boys and girls track teams took first place in the WPIAL Track and Field Team Championship semifinals on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, at Butler High School's Art Bernardi Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Butler boys and girls track teams took first place in the WPIAL Track and Field Team Championship semifinals on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, at Butler High School's Art Bernardi Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Butler boys and girls track teams took first place in the WPIAL Track and Field Team Championship semifinals on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, at Butler High School's Art Bernardi Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Butler boys and girls track teams took first place in the WPIAL Track and Field Team Championship semifinals on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, at Butler High School's Art Bernardi Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Butler boys and girls track teams took first place in the WPIAL Track and Field Team Championship semifinals on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, at Butler High School's Art Bernardi Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Butler boys and girls track teams took first place in the WPIAL Track and Field Team Championship semifinals on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, at Butler High School's Art Bernardi Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Butler boys and girls track teams took first place in the WPIAL Track and Field Team Championship semifinals on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, at Butler High School's Art Bernardi Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Butler boys and girls track teams took first place in the WPIAL Track and Field Team Championship semifinals on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, at Butler High School's Art Bernardi Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Butler boys and girls track teams took first place in the WPIAL Track and Field Team Championship semifinals on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, at Butler High School's Art Bernardi Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Butler boys and girls track teams took first place in the WPIAL Track and Field Team Championship semifinals on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, at Butler High School's Art Bernardi Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Butler boys and girls track teams took first place in the WPIAL Track and Field Team Championship semifinals on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, at Butler High School's Art Bernardi Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Butler boys and girls track teams took first place in the WPIAL Track and Field Team Championship semifinals on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, at Butler High School's Art Bernardi Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Butler boys and girls track teams took first place in the WPIAL Track and Field Team Championship semifinals on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, at Butler High School's Art Bernardi Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Butler boys and girls track teams took first place in the WPIAL Track and Field Team Championship semifinals on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, at Butler High School's Art Bernardi Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Butler boys and girls track teams took first place in the WPIAL Track and Field Team Championship semifinals on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, at Butler High School's Art Bernardi Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Butler boys and girls track teams took first place in the WPIAL Track and Field Team Championship semifinals on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, at Butler High School's Art Bernardi Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
BUTLER TWP — As Butler’s Carter Ekas strolled off the track and onto the turf, a mob of teammates impeded his progress.
One in the crowd hurried back to the electronic clock propped up beside the finish line at Art Bernardi Stadium on Wednesday.
“Forty-eight one! Forty-eight one!” He shouted, bouncing about and maneuvering into the throng to pat a mild-mannered Ekas on the back.
“There’s not much you can do about that,” a Penn-Trafford coach said in resignation while walking by.
Ekas’ 48.18-second anchor lap finished off a 3:20.43 time in the 4x400-meter relay and put away the Warriors at a four-team WPIAL Class 3A Team Track and Field Championships semifinal playoff meet. It also helped earn the Golden Tornado’s boys team entry into the title meet at West Mifflin High School on Tuesday.
Fifteen minutes later, Ekas sunk into a foldable chair under a tent, a bag of ice pressed against his back to cool him down and a water bottle in hand. He was still short of breath.
“We were getting the hand-off at the same time, and he got out a little faster, boxed me off, and then about 100 meters in — once we hit the straight-away — I just really kicked it in and passed him,” Ekas said. “After that, I just didn’t slow down.”
Butler beat Penn-Trafford 83-67, Moon 106-44 and Kiski Area 112-38.
“If Penn-Trafford wins that, then it could (have been) a tie meet if they sweep the pole vault,” Butler coach Mike Seybert said.
Seybert was thrilled to detail Ekas’ progression.
“He’s just stepping into the next level,” Seybert said. “In the whole indoor season and the outdoor season, he just keeps on getting better. When you get the baton against a really good mile relay team and they’re coming after you, and you shift the gears the whole way around, that means you’ve arrived.”
“Honestly, it’s kind of crazy because it’s eight seconds faster than I ran last year, eight-and-a-half seconds,” Ekas said. “I would’ve never guessed that I would even be close to these times this year.”
Ekas was pleased with the quartet’s time, but noted only half of the Golden Tornado’s “A” team competed in that event. Kevin Shriver, who handed it off to Ekas for the concluding leg, wasn’t expecting to take part in the relay. It was between him and Grayden Brown, with Shriver being thrust into the mix just a few events before.
“I split a 50 (seconds), which is amazing for me because I don’t really run the four,” Shriver said.
He was even more surprised by Ekas’ effort.
“That’s crazy,” Shriver said. “Knew he was a fast guy since the start of the season, knew he could split 49s, 50s, did not expect a 48 from him. ... That is a crazy time for him.”
Aaron Stebick and Isaac Miller were also part of the winning quartet. Jace Gratzmiller and Regan Peth are among the other guys who cycle in.
“Right now, we have eight really good guys, so, for the last spot, it’s kind of a toss-up,” Ekas said.
Butler’s boys’ 4x100 relay record of 42.42 seconds weathered a couple of contenders earlier this season. Not this time around, as Logan Ekas, Shriver, Grayden Brown and Christopher Rubcic combined to round the oval in 42.14 seconds, setting a new program mark by nearly three-tenths of a second.
“Last year, they ran a 42.43 — one one-hundredth (away) — and then earlier (this season), we’ve run 42.40-something twice,” Seybert said. “But they hit three perfect hand-offs. ... This is what it is because the other side of the state, they’re not waiting for us just to beat each other here. I told them yesterday, I said, ‘If you guys want to be big dogs on the other side of the state, you’ve got to get to the next level.’ And they did today.”
“I knew we were gonna break the record, but I didn’t expect us to run a 42.1,” Shriver admitted. “That was a crazy time.”
Butler’s girls advanced to the WPIAL Class 3A title meet, as well, behind the efforts of plenty. They beat Moon 107-43, Beaver 130-20 and Belle Vernon 120-24.
“Just some real stalwarts,” Golden Tornado coach John Williams said of his standouts.
Seniors Aubrey Rock, Jocie Slesinski and Madi McGarrah had impressive showings for the Golden Tornado. Rock placed first in the 100 (12.93), pole vault (11 feet) and long jump (17-6.5), and was part of the winning 4x100 relay (50.31). Slesinski ran a personal best (57.91) in the 400 and also placed in the 100 and 200. McGarrah won the mile in 5:25.13 and Zari Golojuh the two-mile in 12:26.32. Adraya Baxter outclassed the competition in the 100 and 300 hurdles.
Michelle Jacobson (shot put, 31-8) and Sarah Lucas (javelin, 105-3) won field events for Butler.
“I’ve been telling the kids all year, like, ‘Hey, we’re one of the top five or six teams in the WPIAL,’” Williams said. “There’s 57 teams in 3A track. ... We’ve just got to keep getting better.”
WPIAL Track and Field Championships
Semifinal Results
Boys
Team scores: Butler 83, Penn-Trafford 67; Butler 106, Moon 44; Butler 112, Kiski Area 38
4x800 relay: Butler (Logan Rogers, Mateo Saspe, Ethan Thomas, Zachary Slear); 110 hurdles: Lett (PT) 14.49; 100 dash: Kevin Shriver (B) 11.13; 1,600 run: McGhee (PT) 4:23.62; 4x100 run: Cheplick (PT) 49.98; 400 relay: Butler (Logan Ekas, Kevin Shriver, Gradyen Brown, Christopher Rubcic) 42.14; 300 hurdles: Lett (PT) 38.51; 800 run: McGhee (PT) 1:57.15; 200 dash: Kevin Shriver (B) 22.42; 3,200 run: Brendan Eicher (B) 9:56.83; 4x400 relay: Butler (Kevin Shriver, Carter Ekas) 3:20.43
Shot put: Anderson (K) 45-11.5; Discus: Duncan (M) 134-9; Javelin: Nicco Baggetta (B) 186-8; High jump: Max Walker (B) 6-0.25; Long jump: Tyson Pino (B) 21-4.5; Triple jump: Eli Campbell (B) 43-1; Pole vault: Alaia (PT) 13-0
Girls
Team scores: Butler 107, Moon 43; Butler 130, Beaver 20; Butler 139, Belle Vernon 10
4x800 relay: Butler 9:52.63; 100 hurdles: Adraya Baxter (B) 15.94; 100 dash: Aubrey Rock (B) 12.93; 1,600 run: Madi McGarrah (B) 5:25.13; 400 run: Jocie Slesinski (B) 57.91; 4x100 relay: Butler 50.31; 300 hurdles: Adraya Baxter (B) 46.73; 800 run: Taylor (M) 2:22.07; 200 dash: Stepp (M) 25.51; 3,200 run: Zari Golojuh (B) 12:26.32; 4x400 relay: Moon 4:05.23
Shot put: Michelle Jacobson (B) 31-8; Discus: Depner (M) 118-6; Javelin: Sarah Lucas (B) 105-3; High jump: Devito (K) 5-2.25; Long jump: Aubrey Rock (B) 17-6.5; Triple jump: Delsite (M) 37-3.5; Pole vault: Aubrey Rock (B) 11-0
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