Quaker Valley distance standout Jonah Montagnese went into the PIAA Class 2A 3,200-meter run May 23 as the top seed by a wide margin.
And by the end of the race at Shippensburg University, Montagnese found himself in a similar spot.
A junior, Montagnese followed up his May 22 triumph in the 1,600 by taking top honors in the 3,200.
“Jonah’s performance was incredible,” QV coach Jared Jones said. “To win one event at states is an amazing accomplishment. To defend a title from the previous year is even more impressive. To follow that up with an additional event victory and runner-up performance is next level.
“Knowing all the hard work Jonah has put into this, his performance is still mind blowing even for our coaching staff to comprehend what Jonah has accomplished.”
His time of 9 minutes, 11.23 seconds in the 3,200 was more than six seconds faster than Elk Lake’s Kendel Jones, who ran a 9:17.54.
“I was probably a heavier favorite in the two mile. That’s probably my better event,” Montagnese said. “Taking the confidence from the (1,600) win added a little bit of extra confidence for me, just kind of knowing I have the ability and strength and that I can kind of put myself out there and do something that would hopefully result in the win.”
Montagnese’s victory was his fourth in two years at the PIAA championships. He claimed titles in the 1,600 and the 3,200 relay his sophomore season when he also finished fourth in the 3,200 and sixth in the 800.
While Montagnese won all four of those events at this year’s WPIAL finals, he settled for a split at the PIAA meet, which was held under adverse weather conditions. He finished second in the 800 in 1:55.16 while the 3,200 relay team ended up in seventh place.
The QV relay team, consisting of seniors River Capek and Ryan Kempton, freshman Henry Howard and Montagnese, posted a time of 8:13.65.
QV’s boys team successfully defended its state championship, completing back-to-back titles. The Quakers finished with 47 team points, ahead of Fort LeBoeuf (39 points), Danville (27), Corry (27), Dunmore (20.5), Beth-Center (20) and Oley Valley (20).
“I’m super happy with how the meet went,” Montagnese said. “I feel like it really was a great way to cap off the season. I’m glad that all of the work I put in throughout the early parts of the season and the winter paid off and was able to result in not only individual championships for myself but also help contribute to the team championship.
“This still leaves me a little hungry for next year though, being so close to winning all of the distance events. Hopefully, I’ll be able to get that 800 next year.”
Next up for the hard-working and dedicated Montagnese is the national championship meet in mid-June. Following nationals, he will take a week off from running before jumping into his training for cross country.
QV junior Kieran Cain was a two-time individual medalist at the PIAA meet, placing third in the 200-meter dash in 21.92 and fourth in the 100 in 10.90.
The Quakers’ 1,600 and 3,200 relay teams placed third and seventh, respectively, with times of 3:24.62 and 8:13.65.
Connor West, a freshman, Capek, Cain and James Irwin competed in the 1,600 relay.
Quaker Valley’s boys team also was represented at the state finals by seniors Xander Vescio (110 hurdles, 300 hurdles) and Aiden Dwyer (high jump), Capek (800), Kempton (1,600) and Castellini (300 hurdles).
Quaker Valley’s girls team entered the PIAA meet as the reigning state champion in Class 2A. The Quakers placed sixth this year with 28.5 points.
Shenango captured first place with 40 points followed by Hughesville (39), Wellsboro (37), Grove City (31) and Lewisburg (29).
Evie Roselli, a junior, led the QV girls in the individual competition, corralling fifth place in both the 100 hurdles (15.22) and pole vault (11-6).
“I am very proud of Evie’s performance in both the 100-meter hurdles and pole vault,” Jones said. “She faced a challenging season while recovering from injuries and working to continue progressing in both events. Her improvement in the 100 hurdles over the final part of the season was outstanding, and it was great to see her find success in that event at the state meet.
“Pole vault was a difficult event for her throughout the season, and the state meet presented some unexpected obstacles. Even so, she competed well and showed resilience in a high-pressure environment, and we are very proud of her efforts.”
QV senior Mia Gartley placed fourth in the 800-meter run in 2:16.28 and ninth in the 1,600. Mimi Thiero, also a senior, zeroed in on fourth place in the high jump, clearing 5-4, while sophomore Lucy Montagnese took sixth in the 3,200 with a 10:56.64 time and junior Rose Pocasangre placed sixth in the 300 hurdles in 46.55.
The girls 1,600 relay runners — freshman Kallie McCune, Gartley, junior Maddie Gatehouse and Pocasangre — garnered fourth place in 4:06.10.
The 400 relay team earned ninth place and the 3,200 relay team ended up 25th.
Gatehouse, Rosselli, Pocasangre and freshman Barrett Renner competed in the 400 relay. McCune, junior Maggie Doz, Montagnese and Gartley made up the 3,200 foursome.
TribLive contibuting writer Brad Everett contributed to this story.