CUMBERLAND COUNTY, Pa. — A handful of central Pennsylvania athletes are enjoying that championship feeling after a successful Saturday at this year’s PIAA Track and Field State Championships.
Many eyes were on Spring Grove’s Laila Campbell, who fell short in the Girls 3A 100m dash but redeemed herself in the 200m, winning her 4th straight state gold medal in the event. For her it was a big way to finish off her storied high school performances.
"It’s definitely been a lot, standing on the podium for one last time, remembering my freshman, sophomore, junior, senior year all year’s were special in their own ways," said Campbell. "I definitely feel like I redeemed myself in the 200m."
Another big-name with big expectations, Lilyanna Carlson of Bermudian Springs had a goal of beating the 13-5 state record for the 3A Girls Pole Vault. She fell just short, almost beating it on her final attempt, but still ended up wining with a jump of 13 feet to take home the gold.
"It felt good to jump a whole foot higher than last year and had some good competition today, felt good to be competing at the top," said Carlson. "I was feeling really confident at that height, I feel like towards the end of my jumps my form was coming together really well and just slightly things we needed to adjust at the end that was just a little too late."
In the 3A Girls 400m dash, Cedar Cliff’s Kadell Howard aimed to go back-to-back in the event, coming in as the favorite, she showed everyone why by winning the event by more than a second.
"I never really come out to expect to win, I run against myself to PR, that’s what really motivates me," said Howard. "From my last race I always want to go harder from what I did previously, and to be able to just do what I’m doing for myself and to win feels great."
Some athletes cleaned up at multiple events.
Palmyra’s Tyler Burgess swept the hurdle events with wins in both the Boys 3A 110m and 300m events.
"This is what the whole season comes down to everyone wants to win states," said Burgess. "It’s just been a crazy journey just trying to bring down my times every meet. I came into this meet knowing I can win both so all I had to do was execute and I knew I could definitely have a good chance."
After winning silver in Girls 3A 110m hurdles, Spring Grove’s Ella Bahn took gold in Girls 3A high jump. She wrapped up her day winning gold in her final event, the Girls 3A 200m hurdles, finishing confidence building but tiring three-medal day.
Bahn and Campbell’s stellar performances were good enough to give Spring Grove the edge to win the 3A Girls Team Title by 13 points over Cheltenham.
A full list of results can be found on the PIAA Track & Field Championship website.