WPIAL track stars dominate girls 3,200-meter runs at PIAA meet

By: Paul Schofield
Saturday, May 25, 2024 | 6:25 PM

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SHIPPENSBURG – How dominant were Shady Side Academy senior Chelsea Hartman and Mt. Lebanon senior Logan St. John Kletter in the PIAA 3,200-meter races?

They both lapped some opponents by the sixth lap of their races Saturday at the PIAA Track and Field Championships at Shippensburg University’s Seth Grove Stadium.

Hartman breezed to a win in Class 2A and Kletter won her second consecutive 3A title. It was Kletter’s second gold medal of the meet. She won the 1,600 on Friday.

Hartman said she was a little surprised that she broke her personal record.

“From previous races, I knew I had a little more left in the tank,” said Hartman, a resident of Fox Chapel. “After finishing third in the 1,600 on Friday, I had the extra motivation and I wanted to be a role model for my teammates.”

Hartman led the race from the start and steadily increased her lead on the field. She pretty much ran by herself for the final seven laps.

Hartman will be attending Brown University. She was also part of the 3,200-meter relay team that placed third.

Kletter also led from the start and she too steadily increased her advantage. She was on pace to break the PIAA record but the increased heat with temperatures in the mid 70s prevented that.

Still, Kletter was pleased by repeating and claiming her fourth PIAA gold medal during her senior season. She was a cross country champion and indoor state champion in the mile.

“You can never be disappointed being a state champion,” Kletter said. “I’m still very happy. The heat was a factor. The conditions were almost perfect on Friday. It’s was pretty early to be this hot.

“It was tough to bounce back after Friday. It’s hard to double, so I just gave everything I had.”

The North Carolina commit said she and boyfriend Butler senior Drew Griffith will celebrate with their family and friends.

“We still have a busy month ahead,” Kletter said. “I’m running in St. Louis next week, Seattle and Philadelphia for high school nationals.”

Paul Schofield is a TribLive reporter covering high school and college sports and local golf. He joined the Trib in 1995 after spending 15 years at the Daily Courier in Connellsville, where he served as sports editor for 14 years. He can be reached at pschofield@triblive.com.

Tags: Mt. lebanon, Shady Side Academy