Greensburg Central Catholic senior Jerry Davis has mastered the 400-meter dash.
The two-time WPIAL Class 2A champion and reigning PIAA champion looks to end his high school career on a high note.
He is looking to become only the second runner since 1980 to be a three-time champion in the 400. The other was Rochester’s Derek Moye (2005-07), who went on to play football at Penn State.
The meet at Slippery Rock University was moved from Wednesday to Thursday because of inclement weather.
Davis is the WPIAL record holder in both classifications at 48.32. Quaker Valley’s Oliver Philogene has the best Class 3A time of 48.44.
Davis is a three-time Westmoreland County champion.
“It is tough to win three things in a row,” Davis said. “I am working towards the WPIALs and PIAAs.
“I am looking to break 48 at WPIALs. I feel pretty good.”
His best time this season is 49.19. He also runs the 200, where he has clocked 22.03. Davis would like to compete in both events.
Davis is one of only two returning champions in the Class 2A boys field. The other is Apollo-Ridge senior Jaden McCroy in the javelin.
Hempfield has a few athletes looking for gold medals.
Senior Chesnee Smith is the No. 1 seed in the 800, and senior Jonathan Stetchock is seeded No. 1 in the 3,200 and No. 2 in the 1,600.
Junior Madison Altman hopes she is healthy enough to compete in the 100- and 300-meter hurdles. She also runs on the 400-meter relay team.
Altman has been slowed by a leg injury. She has been resting and trying to get ready for WPIALs.
She is seeded No. 2 behind South Fayette senior Delaney Schmaker in both races.
“We are hoping she can go,” Hempfield coach Ron Colland said. “I know she has been disappointed she could not compete.”
Colland said he is excited about Smith’s and Stetchock’s chances.
“I am going to compete in both at WPIALs,” Stetchock said. “If I qualify for states, I will decide if I want to do both.”
Smith has come on strong this season. While her best event is the 800, she did run 57.04 in the 400. She is not competing in the 400 but used the event for training.
Southmoreland senior Megan Mehall is seed No. 1 in the Class 2A 800 and No. 3 in the 1,600.
Mt. Pleasant junior Gage Sowers is seeded No. 1 in the Class 2A pole vault. Norwin junior Alexander Irwin is seeded No. 2 in Class 3A pole vault.
Other athletes looking to earn a trip to the PIAA championships May 22-23 at Shippensburg University include Franklin Regional junior Sean Cartwright (high jump, 110 and 300 hurdles) and junior teammate Jamie Kociela, who is seeded No. 1 in Class 3A high jump, Norwin senior Annie Czajkowski (3,200 and 1,600), Greensburg Salem senior Luke Rullo (long and triple jump) and Belle Vernon Area senior Ryan Kent (discus, shot put and javelin).
WPIAL Track and Field Championships
• When: 11 a.m. Thursday.
• Where: Slippery Rock University
•Returning champions:Girls 3A: Upper St. Clair senior Sadie Tomczyk (100, 200), Moon sophomore Rachel Stepp (400), West Allegheny senior Grace Fritzman (1,600, 3,200), South Fayette senior Delaney Schumaker (100 hurdles, 300 hurdles), Seneca Valley senior Jordan Monteleone (high jump), North Allegheny senior Taylor Neese (shot put), Fox Chapel senior Claire Conti (discus)
Girls 2A: North Catholic junior Audra Lazzara (100 hurdles), Quaker Valley senior Mimi Thiero (high jump), Winchester Thurston junior Alexis Bansah (triple jump), Freeport junior Mackenzie Magness (pole vault), Laurel senior Alexis Geiwitz (shot put), Fort Cherry senior Sophia Holmes (javelin)
Boys 3A: Canon-McMillan senior Aaron Taylor (300 hurdles), Seneca Valley senior Dakari Payne (high jump), North Hills senior Brody Diehl (triple jump)
Boys 2A: Greensburg Central Catholic senior Jerry Davis (400), Apollo-Ridge senior Jaden McCray (javelin)
Fast facts
•Shaler senior Jayla Antomachi is seeded No. 1 in Class 3A javelin with a throw of 136 feet, 11 inches. She also is an outstanding softball player for the No. 1-ranked Titans in Class 5A. She will be scrambling Thursday, competing in both sports — track at Slippery Rock University at 2:30 p.m. and softball at Plum at 5.
• Senior Deakyn DeHoet, who plays baseball for Jefferson-Morgan and runs for Beth-Center in a co-op, hit a two-run home run on Monday in a 5-2 win against Union in the Class A playoffs. DeHoet and the Rockets face No. 2 seed Greensburg Central Catholic on Monday at Washington & Jefferson.
• California junior middle distance runner Carter Kent and Belle Vernon senior thrower Ryan Kent are cousins. Carter runs the 800 and 1,600, and Ryan throws the shot put, discus and javelin.
• Old records: New Castle’s Ulysses Walker triple jump 48-2 (1969); Uniontown’s Terrance Jackson 3A high jump 7-0 (1981); Freeport’s Bob White 2A shot put 61-9 (1982); Richland’s Eric Figan 2A high jump 6-8 (1977); Greensburg Central Catholic’s Colleen Rosenstell 3A discus 167-7 (1985); Trinity’s Elaine Sobansky 3A shot put 48-4 1/2 (1980); and Slippery Rock’s Pam Gearing 2A high jump 5-10 (1977).
• The top five finishers in Class 2A and top four in Class 3A are automatic qualifiers for the PIAA Championships. Athletes can also qualify if they finish in the top eight and meet PIAA qualifying standards.