WPIAL track and field: Butler boys 4x100 and 4x400 relays break district, school records
-
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
-
Butler’s Aubrey Rock took first place in the 3A girls pole vault with a height of 12-00.00 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
-
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 — It was a long wait, but a worthwhile one.
In the very last race run at Wednesday’s WPIAL Track and Field Individual Championships, Butler’s 4x400 relay set a new district meet record, finishing in 3:17.49 and bettering a mark set by Penn Hills 15 years ago. The Golden Tornado quartet was made up of senior Aaron Stebick and juniors Jace Gratzmiller, Regan Peth and Carter Ekas.
“Once they saw the time, they were just jumping up and down,” Butler boys coach Mike Seybert said. “Since it was the last race in the whole meet, the kids were kind of allowed to run out onto the field and the track, so they got mobbed by everyone on our team.
“They were like, ‘3:17!’ They just kept saying that number. ‘You guys ran 3:17!’”
“When I saw the finishing time, it was awesome,” said Peth, who ran the first leg at Slippery Rock University’s Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. “Just running around and celebrating with everybody.”
Each member of the quartet ran a sub-50-second split. Stebick said he had to do a double-take when he saw the crew’s time.
“It’s definitely a special feeling,” Stebick said. “It feels amazing to have the team come over and cheer and jump on you.”
Especially with the expectations the relay team had coming in, which only added to the anxious holdup.
“It was really nerve-wracking,” said Peth, who’s only event of the day was the 4x400. “I get real nervous, and just sitting there all day doesn’t help at all.”
“It was a build-up,” Gratzmiller said. “We had our eyes on the record today. We were waiting for it all season. ... It was definitely a good wait because, in the end, it was a great result.”
Stebick, who ran the next leg, admitted being nervous shortly before he took the baton, as well. Unlike Gratzmiller and Peth, he’d competed in an event, finishing as the runner-up in the 400.
Now, the relay team shifts its focus to succeeding at the PIAA championships at Shippensburg University next week.
“I just see them getting faster,” Seybert said. “I think the competition at the state meet will pull them along even more. I think they’re just excited and they’re a very confident group of guys. They’re hungry and ready for more.”
It was the finishing touch on a day that saw another record fall.
Junior Logan Ekas, senior Chris Rubcic, sophomore Kevin Shriver and senior Grayden Brown won gold in the 4x100 relay. They posted a school-record 41.85-second effort, downing McKeesport (41.96) and Norwin (42.13) at Slippery Rock University’s Mihalik-Thompson Stadium.
Just over a week ago, Butler’s 4x100 boys relay team beat Norwin by an eyelash at the WPIAL Class 3A Track and Field Team Championships.
Too close for comfort, the Golden Tornado quartet decided.
“I think most of the season, we knew we would win pretty much every single meet until the last meet that we had,” Rubcic said.
“We just knew that it was way too close,” Ekas said. “We had to run a little bit faster.”
Shriver said he thought it was possible Wednesday’s race “would be closer than it should be. ... Before that (previous race), I expected us to win. But after that, I was like, ‘Eh, it’s going to be kind of close.’”
His gut feeling turned out to be wrong.
“Whenever I got the baton, I actually was kind of like, ‘OK, never mind, this might not be as close as I think it should be,’” Shriver said.
The same quartet broke Butler’s 4x100 record with a 42.14-second mark at the WPIAL team championships semifinal meet late last month.
“We were so close to getting it last year, then we got injured, which really switched up the whole team,” Ekas said.
“Once we got the school record, I thought we’d have a chance to maybe break 42 (seconds),” Brown said. “We’ve had good handoffs in practice.”
Golden Tornado coach Mike Seybert believes the quartet can match up to even stiffer competition at PIAA Track and Field Championships at Shippensburg University next week.
“Now, the other side of the state, as we’re here, they’re running really fast,” Seybert said. “So, now, we’re starting to get in the mix.”
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
