WPIAL track and field: Butler’s Aubrey Rock defends pole vault gold; Seneca Valley’s Gavin Skarbek realizes 400 dreams
-
Butler’s Aubrey Rock took first place in the 3A girls pole vault with a height of 12 feet in the WPIAL Track and Field Individual Championships on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
Grayden Brown passes the baton to anchor Christopher Rubcic to win the boys 3A 4x100 meter relay with a time of 41:85 in the WPIAL Track and Field Championships on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
Seneca Valley’s Dakari Payne wins the 3A boys high jump with a height of 6-05.00 during a jump off with North Allegheny’s Dylan Langdon in the WPIAL Track and Field Championships on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
Seneca Valley’s Dakari Payne hugs North Allegheny’s Dylan Langdon after winning the 3A boys high jump with a height of 6-05.00 during a jump off with in the WPIAL Track and Field Championships on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
Seneca Valley’s Dakari Payne hugs North Allegheny’s Dylan Langdon after winning the 3A boys high jump with a height of 6-05.00 during a jump off with in the WPIAL Track and Field Championships on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
Seneca Valley’s Gavin Skarbek wins the 3A boys 400-meter race with a time of 49.12 in the WPIAL Track and Field Championships on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
The WPIAL Track and Field Individuals Championships were held on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
The WPIAL Track and Field Individuals Championships were held on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
The WPIAL Track and Field Individuals Championships were held on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
The WPIAL Track and Field Individuals Championships were held on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
The WPIAL Track and Field Individuals Championships were held on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
The WPIAL Track and Field Individuals Championships were held on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
The WPIAL Track and Field Individuals Championships were held on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
The WPIAL Track and Field Individuals Championships were held on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
The WPIAL Track and Field Individuals Championships were held on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
The WPIAL Track and Field Individuals Championships were held on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
The WPIAL Track and Field Individuals Championships were held on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
The WPIAL Track and Field Individuals Championships were held on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
The WPIAL Track and Field Individuals Championships were held on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
The WPIAL Track and Field Individuals Championships were held on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
The WPIAL Track and Field Individuals Championships were held on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
The WPIAL Track and Field Individuals Championships were held on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
The WPIAL Track and Field Individuals Championships were held on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
The WPIAL Track and Field Individuals Championships were held on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
The WPIAL Track and Field Individuals Championships were held on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
The WPIAL Track and Field Individuals Championships were held on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
The WPIAL Track and Field Individuals Championships were held on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
The WPIAL Track and Field Individuals Championships were held on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
The WPIAL Track and Field Individuals Championships were held on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
The WPIAL Track and Field Individuals Championships were held on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
The WPIAL Track and Field Individuals Championships were held on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
The WPIAL Track and Field Individuals Championships were held on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
The WPIAL Track and Field Individuals Championships were held on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
The WPIAL Track and Field Individuals Championships were held on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
The WPIAL Track and Field Individuals Championships were held on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
The WPIAL Track and Field Individuals Championships were held on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
The WPIAL Track and Field Individuals Championships were held on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
The WPIAL Track and Field Individuals Championships were held on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
The WPIAL Track and Field Individuals Championships were held on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
The WPIAL Track and Field Individuals Championships were held on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
The WPIAL Track and Field Individuals Championships were held on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
The WPIAL Track and Field Individuals Championships were held on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
The WPIAL Track and Field Individuals Championships were held on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
The WPIAL Track and Field Individuals Championships were held on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
The WPIAL Track and Field Individuals Championships were held on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
The WPIAL Track and Field Individuals Championships were held on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
The WPIAL Track and Field Individuals Championships were held on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
The WPIAL Track and Field Individuals Championships were held on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
The WPIAL Track and Field Individuals Championships were held on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
The WPIAL Track and Field Individuals Championships were held on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
The WPIAL Track and Field Individuals Championships were held on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
The WPIAL Track and Field Individuals Championships were held on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
The WPIAL Track and Field Individuals Championships were held on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
The WPIAL Track and Field Individuals Championships were held on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
The WPIAL Track and Field Individuals Championships were held on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
The WPIAL Track and Field Individuals Championships were held on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
The WPIAL Track and Field Individuals Championships were held on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
The WPIAL Track and Field Individuals Championships were held on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
The WPIAL Track and Field Individuals Championships were held on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
The WPIAL Track and Field Individuals Championships were held on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
The WPIAL Track and Field Individuals Championships were held on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
The WPIAL Track and Field Individuals Championships were held on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
The WPIAL Track and Field Individuals Championships were held on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
The WPIAL Track and Field Individuals Championships were held on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
The WPIAL Track and Field Individuals Championships were held on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
The WPIAL Track and Field Individuals Championships were held on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
The WPIAL Track and Field Individuals Championships were held on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
The WPIAL Track and Field Individuals Championships were held on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
The WPIAL Track and Field Individuals Championships were held on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
The WPIAL Track and Field Individuals Championships were held on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
The WPIAL Track and Field Individuals Championships were held on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
The WPIAL Track and Field Individuals Championships were held on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
The WPIAL Track and Field Individuals Championships were held on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
SLIPPERY ROCK — Butler’s Aubrey Rock entered Wednesday’s WPIAL Track and Field Individual Championships hoping for the bare minimum in the pole vault. Clear the state standard height, she thought.
To an outsider, that objective might have been confusing, since she’d won the event at the same meet as a junior last year. Her gold medal from then has hung from a mirror on a dresser in her bedroom since, providing periodic proof of what she’s capable of.
“It was a reminder that I can be great, but also a reminder that you don’t always have to be great, even if you are great,” Rock said.
She now has another to dangle beside it, vaulting a season-best 12 feet to come out on top again at Slippery Rock University’s Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rock also won the long jump with an effort of 18 feet, 8 inches.
The path back to the top of the podium in the pole vault wasn’t the smoothest. A bumpy start to the indoor season allowed doubt to creep into her mind. At the first meet of that campaign, Rock said she failed to clear any bar. She later missed out on states, even after working with a sports psychologist to figure things out.
“There should definitely not be an expectation of it to just be a baseline thing because, no matter how good you are, if you’re an Olympic champion, if you’re Simone Biles or Katie Moon, there’s always going to be ups and downs no matter what,” Rock said. “I think people should always appreciate that about a back-to-back champion.”
The 12-foot mark was 1 inch shy of Rock’s personal record. She said she was back to competing “like my normal self.” With the help of the sports psychologist, she adopted mental cues.
“She just gave me some tools to talk myself up and realize that none of that (talent) ever left and that I still had it in me,” Rock said. “It’s all stuff that sounds really simplistic, but it’s just things that you have to remember to tell yourself every day.”
Rock wasn’t able to perform as she hoped at the state meet last season. Dealing with a stomach bug, she said she “cleared 11 (feet), and then I just crashed and burned after that.”
If healthy, she expects better this time around at Shippensburg University next week.
Other girls gold medal winners from the day included: Seneca Valley’s Jordan Monteleone (Class 3A high jump, 5-5), North Catholic’s Audra Lazzara (Class 2A 100-meter hurdles, 14.99) and Freeport’s Mackenzie Magness (Class 2A pole vault, 12-4).
Butler’s boys 4x400 relay (3:17.49), Seneca Valley’s 4x100 girls (48.73) and North Catholic’s 4x100 girls (48.74) earned gold, as well.
Seneca Valley senior Gavin Skarbek’s reality was awfully familiar. There he stood, a WPIAL Class 3A 400-meter gold medal clinging to his neck after he posted a personal-best time of 48.99 seconds.
It was a vision he’d seen plenty before.
“I’m not even lying, sometimes I dream about WPIALs,” Skarbek said. “I think about it so much before bed.”
On Wednesday, there wasn’t much time for any of that. Skarbek woke up at 3 a.m., then couldn’t fall back asleep. He had to wait nearly six hours before the bus left for SRU.
“I spent a lot of it just kind of relaxing, making my breakfast, making sure I ate the right stuff and kind of walked through the day,” Skarbek said.
What followed was exactly what he’d planned out many times in his mind.
“This is kind of like the past six months of my life all brought together,” Skarbek said. “I was expected to win today. It was stressful. I just stuck to my training, had a good race and came out good, finished good. It was perfect.”
As for the medal, Skarbek said, “Honestly, it sounds goofy, but I’m gonna sleep with it (on) tonight.”
WPIAL Track and Field Championships Results
(Local medalists in each event)
Class 3A Boys
(Top 5 automatically qualify for states)
4x800 relay: 3-Butler (E.Thomas, M.Saspe, Z.Slear, L.Rogers) 7:57.33
100 dash: 7-Gabe Hein (M) 11.17, 8-Noah Rieger (SV) 11.18
4x100 relay: 1-Butler (L.Ekas, K.Shriver, G.Brown, C.Rubic) 41.85
400 dash: 1-Gavin Skarbek (SV) 48.99; 2-Aaron Stebick (B) 49.24
300 hurdles: 3-Austin Friedline (K) 38.95
800 run: 6-Zachary Slear (B) 1:58.40
200 dash: 8-Gavin Skarbek (SV) 26.83
3,200 run: 7-Carter French (K) 9:29.96; 8-Max Smith (SV) 9:35.60
4x400 relay: 1-Butler (R.Peth, A.Stebick, J.Gratzmiller, C.Ekas) 3:17.49#
High jump: 1-Dakari Payne (SV) 6-5
Long jump: 7-Dakari Payne (SV) 21-3.5
Triple jump: 5-Dakari Payne (SV) 44-5.5
Discus: 6-Troy Slater (K) 150-10
Javelin: 2-Nicco Baggetta (B) 187-2; 7-Tyson Pino (B) 169-5
Class 3A Girls
(Top 4 automatically qualify for states)
4x800 relay: 2-Seneca Valley (H.Jones, P.Damico, S.Heltzell, K.Hummert) 9:35.48, 6-Butler (M.McLister, A.Sintz, L.Bowden, M.McGarrah) 9:47.43
100 hurdles: 4-Kathryn Morrison (SV) 15.37
100 dash: 5-Augelina Williams (SV) 12.63
1,600 run: 7-Sydney Heltzell (SV) 5:18.35
4x100 relay: 1-Seneca Valley (A.Popp, M.Fischer, A.Williams, I.Yuhouse) 48.73; 4-Butler (R.Blystone, A. Rock, R.Jack, J.Slesinski) 48.92
400 dash: 4-Morgan Duker (M) 57.01; 6-Jocie Slesinski (B) 57.38*
300 hurdles: 7-Adraya Baxter (B) 45.81*
200 dash: 6-Augelina Williams (SV) 26.36; 7-Morgan Duker (M) 26.39
4x400 relay: 5-Butler (L.Bowden, A.Baxter, M.McGarrah, J.Slesinski) 4:01.32; 7-Seneca Valley (K.Hummert, T.Rybak, S.Heltzell, C.Nwokolo) 4:06.04
High jump: 1-Jordan Monteleone (SV) 5-5; 7-Kamryn Burtner (K) 5-3*
Pole vault: 1-Aubrey Rock (B) 12-0, 2-Aubrey Erdos (SV) 11-6, 5-Kara Fennell (K) 11-0
Long jump: 1-Aubrey Rock (B) 18-8; 5-Kathyne Skeen (SV) 17-9.25; 8-Jordan Monteleone (SV) 17-4
Triple jump: 4-Kara Fennell (K) 37-1
Javelin: 2-Karlee Buterbaugh (K) 148-9; 5-Audrey Wolfe (SV) 127-0*; 7-Addie Weaver (SV) 125-8*
Class 2A Boys
(Top 5 automatically qualify for states)
1,600 run: 2-Michael Braun (F) 4:12.67; 7-Tyler Carroll (NC) 4:25.48*; 8-Jack Steineman (NC) 4:25.52*
400 relay: 5-North Catholic (J.White, N.Maher, R.Snyder, J.Kandravy) 43.92
3,200 run: 2-Michael Braun (F) 9:23.52; 5-Jack Steineman (NC) 9:38.65
Long jump: 6-Ryan Snyder (NC) 21-3.5
Class 2A Girls
(Top 5 automatically qualify for states)
4x800 relay: 2-North Catholic (C.Sell, T.Driehorst, S.Dunn, M.Killian) 9:44.09
100 hurdles: 1-Audra Lazzara (NC) 14.99
100 dash: 5-Anna Lazzara (NC) 12.56; 7-Seava Cresta (NC) 12.73
1,600 run: 6-Madeline Meeuf (NC) 5:14.55*
4x100 relay: 1-North Catholic (S.Cresta, D.Flerl, An.Lazzara, Au.Lazzara) 48.74
300 hurdles: 5-Audra Lazzara (NC) 48.30
200 dash: 4-Anna Lazzara (NC) 25.66; 8-Seava Cresta (NC) 26.18*
3,200 run: 3-Madeline Meeuf (NC) 11:30.48; 7-Sydney Dunn (NC) 11:45.93
4x400 relay: 2-North Catholic (D.Flerl, S.Cresta, E.Eiler, A.Stoltz) 4:00.85; 5-Freeport (P.Bhat, M.Sleppy, M.Magness, G.Kristine) 4:08.67
Pole vault: 1-Mackenzie Magness (F) 12-4
Long jump: 3-Anna Lazzara (NC) 17-9.25; 5-Mackenzie Magness (F) 17-8.75
Triple jump: 5-Daphne Flerl (NC) 36-5; 7-Mackenzie Magness (F) 35-9.25*
#WPIAL record
*State qualifier
