Making the leap from the 3k to the 5k is no small task for freshmen, but the class of 2028 in the WPIAL is proving that with courage and determination, anything is possible. These 45 boys and 45 girls are stepping up in ways that defy expectations, running with a level of maturity and confidence that usually comes with years of experience. They’re not just adjusting to the challenge—they’re conquering it, leading their teams with grit and heart. Their journey is a testament to the power of perseverance, and as they continue to grow, they’re reshaping the future of WPIAL cross-country, inspiring us all to believe that the impossible is always within reach when you push your limits and rise to the occasion.

45 Freshmen Boys Watch in This Year’s WPIAL Cross-Country.

A.j Cienkowski – Beaver Area

Adam Calhoun – North Allegheny

Aidan Morse – Canon-McMillan

Aiden Torres – Plum

Alexander Barrett – Norwin

Alex Motonis – Butler

Andre Kolocouris – Our Lady Of Sacred Heart

Andrew Ludwick – Montour

Austin Barrett – Baldwin

Benjamin McBride – Norwin

Blake Rumbaugh – Hempfield Area

Brady Vukmir – Fox Chapel Area

Carter Hawthorne – Canon-McMillan

Colton Ginsburg – Pittsburgh Central Catholic

Connor McCool – Knoch

Connor Sheridan – Shady Side Academy

Cooper Knorr – Chartiers Valley

David Culley – Fox Chapel Area

David Kristine – Freeport Area

Denny Smith – North Allegheny

Eli Pollak – Plum

Ethan Amos – Canon-McMillan

Ethan Hankinson – Moon Area

Evan Orend – Beaver Area

Holden Neff – Pittsburgh Central Catholic

Ian Dilts – South Side

Jacob Szul – Butler

Jake Pritts – Connellsville

Jack Pfeiffer – North Allegheny

Jack Steineman – North Catholic

Jeremy Ye – Our Lady Of Sacred Heart

Luke Tobik – North Hills

Max Dlugos – Greater Latrobe

Nathan Hirsch – Canon-McMillan

Nathan Hou – North Allegheny

Nico Piraino – Franklin Regional

Nolan Macurak – Baldwin

Oscar Smith – Riverview

Otis Pascal – Winchester Thurston

Owen Rojahn – Canon-McMillan

Owen Romasco – Moon Area

Turner Templeton – West Allegheny

Will Zadecky – Mount Lebanon

William Little – Norwin

Zachary Sharara – Sewickley Academy

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45 Freshmen Girls to Watch in This Year’s WPIAL Cross-Country

Abigail Zavatchan – Connellsville

Adleigh Brouzakis – Peters Township

Angela Zeng – South Fayette

Angelika Dent – Greater Latrobe

Anna Morris – North Catholic

Annika Kubiska – Fox Chapel Area

Annie Puhalla – North Catholic

Ava Sparacino – North Catholic

Avery Sintz – Butler

Ayla Werner – North Hills

Brooklyn Steeber – Belle Vernon

Caroline Sell – North Catholic

Charlee Kinnee – Chartiers Valley

Cheyanne Trout – Baldwin

Claire Sherman – Norwin

Ellena Gibbs – South Fayette

Ella Shevchuk – Fox Chapel Area

Eva Crofford – Our Lady Of Sacred Heart

Faith Shepherd – Norwin

Gabrielle Spitznagel – Moon Area

Hannah George – Kiski Area

Jenna Benlock – Bethel Park

Kayla Baker – Indiana Area

Kiley Baran – Upper Saint Clair

Kyra Olivares – Butler

Leila Nocera – North Allegheny

Lily Liotta – Burrell

London Murphy – North Allegheny

Lucy Montagnese – Quaker Valley

Madison Fellin – Peters Township

Malaya Azarcon – Butler

Marcelle Minutolo – Shady Side Academy

Marie Roberts – Kiski Area

Maggie Killian – North Catholic

Mary Lucas – North Allegheny

Molly Edwards – Norwin

Morgan Blystone – Indiana Area

Morgan Bumer – Canon-McMillan

Piper Munyon – Gateway

Rachel Stepp – Moon Area

Siena Varlotta – Seneca Valley

Sulha Moritz – Hillel Academy of Pittsburgh

Zari Golojuh – Butler

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