May 11, 2016 3 min read

Nick Wolk established himself as the favorite to capture the gold during the upcoming WPIAL track and field championships when he dominated the long-distance action at the 43rd annual Baldwin Invitational.

The Peters Township senior won the 3,200-meter race in 9:12.38. He also secured first place in the prestigious McKinney Mile, winning in 4:16.17.

Wolk, who is the 2015 WPIAL cross country champion, is among the favorites to earn berths in the District 7 finals. He will battle rivals, particularly Todd Gunzenhauser from Mt. Lebanon who was third in the 3,200 at Baldwin, during this week’s Southern Qualifier to be held May 12 at West Mifflin. Top finishers advance to the WPIAL championships set for May 19 at Baldwin. The top placewinners and those meeting certain time standards qualify for the PIAA championships set for May 27-28 at Shippensburg University.

Wolk was not the only area athlete to fare well at the Baldwin Invitational, which is the final tune-up for the upcoming championships.

Rachel Helbling and Claire Dougherty walked away with gold medals draped around their necks. Both Helbling and Dougherty enter post-season as defending district champions. A South Fayette sophomore, Helbling won the 400 dash in 57.57 while Dougherty, a Mt. Lebanon senior, won the 800 run in 2:13. 78.

Raja Rutherford claimed medals in the sprints and Top 12 finishes in the jumps. The Seton-La Salle senior coasted to victory in the 100-meter dash in 12.30. She took the bronze in the 200 and finished fifth in the long jump.

Besides Helbling, South Fayette competitors fared well at Baldwin, setting two school records. WIth sixth in the 100 dash, Amanad Oliver shattered the new school standard with a 12.54 time. Hannah Kenawell set the new mark in the 800 run with a 2:20.65 time.

Other top finishers for the Lions included: Sam Snodgrass, second, 1,600; Allison Gates, fourth, 1,600; Bri Rees, fourth, 400; Helbling, fourth, 200; Mikey Speca, fifth, 100; Aaron Pfeil, fifth, 1,600; Sam Mastro, seventh, discus; Luke Meindl, sixth, triple jump.

Chartiers Valley’s Micah Colson took third in the 1,600 and Laurel Dinnen secured silver in the javelin. She added fifth in the shot put. The Colts’ 3,200 relay captured a bronze medal.

Molly Mangan followed Dougherty’s lead. The Lebo hurdler grabbed the silver in the 300-meter intermediates.

Other top finishers from the area included: Bethel Park’s Brendan Todd third, high jump and Joey Weston, seventh, pole vault; Lebo’s Patrick Kimball, third, 300 hurdles and Sarah Rolfsen, fourths, 100 and 200 dashes; Upper St. Clair’s Keith Leckenby, seventh, 200 dash; Harvey Kane, fifth, long jump; Peter Township’s Hannah Falcione, fourth, long jump; Caroline Curran, fifth, 100 hurdles; Angela Heisinger, eighth, 300 hurdles.