South Fayette relay runner-up at nationals
South Fayette’s 4-by-mile relay team placed second overall at the Nike Outdoor Nationals held in Eugene, Oregon. Pictured from left are Roman Galioto, Alaa-Eddine Guetari, Tim Danzinger and Jake Borgesi.
Jenna Lang had a Top 5 finish during the East Coast Track and Field Championships held June 23-24 in Edison, N.J. The Bethel Park rising senior finished fourth in the 800-meter dash.
After finishing runner-up in the PIAA Track and Field Championships at the end of May at Shippensburg University, South Fayette’s foursome of Alaa-Eddine Guetari, Tim Danziger, Roman Galioto and Jake Borgesi regrouped.
“To be honest,” said SF coach Scott Litwinovich, “they were disappointed with the result, which shows how much they had dedicated to winning a state title. Obviously, the boys ran great.”
The 4×800 relay team actually clipped nearly nine seconds off its season-best time. The 7:46.65 time was a new school record. It also put the Lions on the National Federation of State High School Association’s honor roll.
Guetari, Danziger, Galioto and Borgesi though were not finished. They had two more outstanding runs in them.
During the Nike Outdoor Nationals held June 15-18 at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon, the group blazed to glory. The Lions secured silver in the 4-by-one mile. Their time of 17:45.45 was a scant .21 off the winning pace set by the Talon Track Club from Tennessee.
Additionally the unit lowered its state mark with a ninth-place showing in the 4×800. The Lions posted a time of 7:45.91.
Both national times were new school records, and in the mile relay, each runner earned Nike All-America acclaim.
Litwinovich cited SF cross country coach Joe Winans with preparing the group during the scholastic season, which ended with the national championships.
“Joe did an incredible job of putting the runners in position to be successful. This surprises no one that knows whim and how hard he works with all the distance runners.”
Litwinovich also noted that the sting of states would not last long with his Lions.
“If they placed anywhere other than second with the time they ran, they would have been extremely satisfied. When this group looks back, they will learn to appreciate what they have accomplished and be proud of what they did,” he added.
Nicknamed The Distance Factory”, the Lions dominated longer runs on the track and on the cross country courses.
This spring, South Fayette’s foursome won a WPIAL title in the 3,200 relay. In the fall, the Lions finished runner-up as a team during the WPIAL championships, in only their third year competing at the Class AAA level.
Borgesi and Galioti have graduated. They will take their talents to Penn State and Robert Morris respectively.
“Jake and Roman are leaving a great legacy with this program that will be hard to duplicate. We are all excited to see how well they fare in their college careers,” Litwinovich said. “Tim and Alaa will need to carry that mantle to the next generation,” he added.
Lang fourth
Jenna Lang had a top-5 finish during the East Coast Track and Field Championships held June 23-24 in Edison, N.J. The rising Bethel Park senior finished fourth in the 800-meter run in the high school championship division. Her time was 2:17.33.
Prunzik hailed
Dani Prunzik wrapped up her scholastic track career at the PIAA Championships. She graduated as one of the most decorated sprinters in Upper St. Clair history.
Prunzik holds several indoor and outdoor records and has the most state medals (six outdoor and three indoor) at USC. She was a three-time WPIAL champion in the 100-meter dash and the 2023 winner in the 200 after runner-up and third-place performances. She finished fourth and sixth in the sprints at the PIAA finals.
“Dani has had a tremendous season and career at USC,” said Matthew Cosgrove, who coaches the Panther sprinters. “She is one of the hardest working athletes that has come through the district.”
Prunzik has been a record-setter since her youthful days running with the Pacer Track Club. In fact, her marks still stand.
Prunzik holds four records for her performances during the Jesse Owen Track Meets. She has the age 5-6 and 7-8 marks for the 200 meters as well as the 100 and 200 records in the 9-10 girls division. Her first record was set in 2011 in Mt. Lebanon and none have been surpassed since.
“I did not know I still had those records,” Prunzik said. “I didn’t know if they stopped doing those meets but it made me realize I have been involved in track a lot longer than I imagined. Those younger races made me love track. It got me hooked.”
Prunzik’s fast and winning ways have rubbed off on the youthful sprinters at USC. She combined with Noor El Nokali Sadie Tomczyk and Ashley Sanderson on the 4-x-100 relay team that participated at the PIAA meet. The foursome was just off their season best time and did not final at states.
“The four girls on that team are super strong athletes,” said Cosgrove. “While we lose Dani, I have all the faith that Noor, Ashley and Sadie will continue to progress and continue the tradition of excellence here at St. Clair.”
Prunzik, meanwhile, matriculates to Penn State University in the fall. She will run track for the Nittany Lions.
Quick study
In less than three months, Derek Armfield etched his name in the track and field record books at Chartiers Valley High School. He won a WPIAL title in the javelin and broke the school record at the PIAA championships.
On his second throw of the state competition, Armfield heaved the javelin 190 feet, 5 inches, breaking the school mark of 180-7 set in 2005.
“Everyone’s first throw was average and when Derek hit his second throw, things started heating up among the top competitors and put pressure on others to perform,” explained CV skipper Lori Poe. “Derek stayed cool and calm under the pressure. It was a lot of fun to watch him compete.”
Armfield finished fourth in the competition. Peter Bellow from Jersey Shore Area won the state title with a throw of 194-6.
“Derek is a javelin thrower who possess both strength and technique, which helps him excel. Overall, it was an incredible performance and season, as he shined in a sport in which he had little training. He learned quickly.”
Armfield, who had played baseball and tennis before embarking on his track career, was a fast learner, especially in the classroom. He graduated as the top student in his class with a 5.1 GPA.
Armfield matriculates to Carnegie Mellon University in the fall. He plans to study artificial intelligence.
Leaving legacy
Before he graduated, Brett Kroboth also left his mark on the track at Peters Township.
He broke his school record in the 1,600, dropping four seconds. His time of 4:13.20 placed him 11th at the PIAA meet. In the 3,200, he just missed the medal stand, placing ninth with a 9:12.68 mark. The time was seven seconds faster than his best time coming into the meet.
“I am not sure how many years in the past that a 4:13 in the 1600 and a 9:12 in the 3200 would not medal but it cannot be many if ever,” said PT coach Justin Pinto. “The performances these young athletes have been putting up are really incredible, especially in the distance events.”
Kroboth will continue his track and cross country career at Penn State University.
On the girls side, PT’s 4×800 relay ran its second best time but just missed the school record by two seconds at states. The team consisted of Grace Senneway, Mari Grim, Sydney Shock and Meagan McKenna.