JACKSON TWP — Despite winning the 100-meter dash at last week's WPIAL Class AAA Track and Field Championships, Seneca Valley senior P.J. Blinn still has some unfinished business.

Now it's time to turn his attention to the PIAA Championships, which take place Friday and Saturday at Shippensburg University's Seth Grove Stadium.

"I want a (state) medal, and I think I'm capable of it," said Blinn after the WPIAL meet.

"From what I've seen, I'm definitely in the running," he added.

Seneca Valley coach Ray Peaco concurred.

"He's just on a wild ride right now," Peaco said. "I wouldn't put anything past him. I'd love to see a 10.7, 10.8. I'd love to see that in state competition."

Blinn tied the school record this season when he recorded a time of 10.8 seconds, a mark Dan Swingle also had in 1982, in a meet with Butler.

The 5-foot-5 Blinn was much shorter than some of his competitors last week, but Peaco said Blinn is aware of how to handle that disparity.

"I think he's very confident right now," the coach said. "He knows he has to get the advantage from the start. Down low, he has the advantage. He gets a two-step lead early.

"That's what he's got to do to be successful at states," Peaco added.

While several Butler County track and field performers captured titles in their respective divisions, 73 area athletes will compete at Shippensburg.

There will be a total of 12 relay teams that will try to make it past Friday's preliminaries, including two each from the Butler girls (400-meter relay, 3,200 relay), Seneca Valley girls (400, 1,600), Seneca Valley boys (400, 1,600) and Freeport boys (1,600, 3,200).

"Our 4x8 and 4x1 relays have a really good chance to get to the next day," said Butler girls coach Annessa Schnur. "It's been a while since we medaled in a relay."

Other teams with relays include the Knoch girls (1,600), A-C Valley girls (400), Freeport girls (1,600) and the Karns City boys (400).

Also, several athletes will pull double or triple duty at the state meet.

Blinn will compete in the 400 and 1,600 relays while Knoch's Regina Robb will take part in both of the girls hurdles events and the 1,600 relay. Freeport's Darius Frantz will compete in the boys high and triple jump events, and teammate Alex Isenberg is in the triple jump and on both Yellowjackets relay squads.

Moniteau senior Victor Santoyo qualified in the Class AA boys high and triple jumps. Grove City's Hana Casalnova did likewise in the girls Class AA 400 and 800, winning both in District 10.

Erin Lopresti of Seneca Valley will compete in the 800 as well as the 1,600 relay, while fellow Raider Kate Kelly is a part of SV's two relays. Erika Rothen of A-C Valley will compete in the open 400 and the 400 relay, and Freeport's Garrett Blake will run in two relays.

Those in multiple events should prepare for a hot forecast, as the temperature is expected to push into the upper 80s by the weekend.

The bottom line, however, is to outperform your opponents, no matter what the conditions.

"Our approach this week in practice is to not be satisfied for just getting to states," Peaco said. "We're taking quality people and we look to move on to Saturday."