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WPIAL track and field: Butler boys advance to team finals

Butler’s Brendan Eicher leads the pack as he placed first in the 4:16.38 in the boys 1,600-meter run in the WPIAL Track and Field Team Championship semifinals Tuesday, April 28, 2026, at Butler High School's Art Bernardi Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

BUTLER TWP — Brendan Eicher is on a hot streak that he hopes can continue through the rest of the season.

Butler’s junior distance runner ran a 4:16.38 in the boys 1,600-meter run Tuesday in a WPIAL Class 3A team semifinal meet at Art Bernardi Stadium.

The time was not only a personal best, but ranks him in the top 10 in the state.

“This was huge for me,” Eicher said. “There are big meets coming up and I just want to keep this going.”

It was one of the highlights from Butler’s defeat of three opponents — Mt. Lebanon (106-44), Knoch (116-34) and New Castle (124-26) — to advance to next Tuesday’s WPIAL championship meet at West Mifflin High School.

Eicher’s previous best time in the event was 4:21.1, set less than two weeks ago at the Butler Invitational.

“Today, I was able to rip it from the gun,” he said. “I usually kick it in for the final lap, and I did today, but ran faster than normal in the first three.”

Butler coach Mike Seybert is impressed with Eicher’s approach.

Butler’s Stainton Forbes placed first in the boys triple jump with a jump of 44-8 in the WPIAL Track and Field Team Championship semifinals Tuesday, April 28, 2026, at Butler High School's Art Bernardi Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

“He is driven and is very focused and committed to what he’s doing, both in practice and races,” he said.

Eicher left no doubt as to his goals the rest of the season.

“I want to get down to 4:13 and win at WPIALs,” he said.

Tyson Pino won the javelin (167-1) and long jump (21-0) for the Golden Tornado, who will face Seneca Valley, Hempfield and Norwin for the team championship.

“We have as good a chance as the other three,” Seybert said. “When you get four teams together that are that good, it comes down to who shows up ready to go that day.”

Knoch’s Austin Friedline was the overall winner in the 300 hurdles at 40.95, helping the Knights defeat New Castle.

Knoch’s Austin Friedline placed first in the boys 300-meter hurdles with a time of 40.95 in the WPIAL Track and Field Team Championship semifinals Tuesday, April 28, 2026, at Butler High School's Art Bernardi Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

“The guys worked hard all season and that continued today,” Knoch coach Mitch Andrews said. “We showed what we’re made of.”

In the girls meet, Butler defeated Knoch, New Castle and Blackhawk, but dropped an 81-69 decision to Mt. Lebanon.

Led by Julianna Lockwood’s 104-8, the Golden Tornado swept the discus. They also took the top three spots in the triple jump with Ava DeLorenzo’s 36-0 leading the way.

“We performed great, but Mt. Lebanon is a final four-type of team,” Butler coach John Williams said. “They won all three relays and it’s tough to beat a team when that happens.”

Knoch’s girls beat New Castle and Blackhawk. Aubry Savannah won the 100 dash (12.56) and Kamryn Burtner the high jump (5-0.5).

“It’s very different from last year when we had big stars who could go to invites and win,” Knoch coach Amy Formica said. “It’s been more of a true team effort this year.”

Boys

3,200 relay: Butler (Alex Motonis, Logan Rogers, Mateo Saspe, Landon Slear) 8:31.36; 110 hurdles: Brady Dumbaugh (B) 15.14; 100 dash: Logan Ekas (B) 11.04; 1,600 run: Brendan Eicher (B) 4:16.38; 400 run: Jace Gratzmiller (B) 51.68; 400 relay: Butler (Logan Ekas, Kevin Shriver, Isaac Miller, Carter Ekas) 42.15; 300 hurdles: Austin Friedline (K) 40.95; 800 run: Landon Slear (B) 1:59.20; 200 dash: Carter Ekas (B) 22.48; 3,200 run: Evan Yurasko (ML) 9:52.20; 1,600 relay: Mount Lebanon 3:27.48

Shot put: Jayden Shaffer (NC) 44-8; Discus: Jayden Shaffer (NC) 134-11; Javelin: Tyson Pino (B) 167-1; High jump: Max Walker (B) 5-10; Long jump: Tyson Pino (B) 21-0; Triple jump: Stainton Forbes (B) 44-8; Pole vault: Jason Wick (B) 14-0

Girls

3,200 relay: Mount Lebanon 10:01.35; 100 hurdles: Lily Cramer (ML) 15.49; 100 dash: Aubry Savannah (K) 12.56; 1,600 run: Avery Sintz (But) 5:20.68; 400 run: Ava Mylen (ML) 59.79; 400 relay: Mount Lebanon 49.36; 300 hurdles: Lily Cramer (ML) 44.41; 800 run: Marisol Montoya (ML) 2:23.93; 200 dash: Carmela Guillen (ML) 25.90; 3,200 run: Zari Golojuh (But) 12:08.85; 1,600 relay: Mount Lebanon 4:01.28

Shot put: Kaylee Coakley (Black) 34-1.5; Discus: Julianna Lockwood (But) 104-8; Javelin: Anastasia Manchester (But) 110-4; High jump: Kamryn Burtner (K) 5-0.5; Long jump: Keira Kraemer (ML) 17-5.5; Triple jump: Ava DeLorenzo (But) 36-0; Pole vault: Halle Swidzinski (But) 11-0

Related Article: Brady Dumbaugh — hurt hammy and all — helps run Butler track past Seneca Valley to WPIAL section title Related Article: Butler Invitational 2026 highlights, top moments, winners and photo gallery from major track and field meet Related Article: What makes champion North Catholic twins Anna and Audra Lazzara assassins on and off the track? Related Article: Butler County Classic results: Top performances from first major track meet of PIAA season
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