Penn-Trafford’s Logan Kerstetter goes back-to-back in javelin at WPIAL championships

By: Paul Schofield
Sunday, May 18, 2025 | 11:01 AM

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History repeated itself for Penn-Trafford senior Logan Kerstetter.

For the second consecutive season, Kerstetter went into the WPIAL Class 3A track and field championship May 14 at Slippery Rock’s Mihalik-Thompson Stadium as an underdog in the javelin.

And for the second consecutive season, Kerstetter won the title.

He was one of three athletes from Westmoreland County who repeated as WPIAL champions, joining Derry senior Sophia Mazzoni, who was the girls Class 3A javelin champion; and Greensburg Central Catholic junior Jerry Davis, the Class 2A 400-meter champion.

Kerstetter was not favored to defend his Class 3A javelin title, but he did.

Mazzoni claimed her third javelin title, her first time in Class 3A, while Davis broke the meet record in defending his 400-meter crown.

Kerstetter earned the title on his final throw of the event when he uncorked a personal record toss of 188 feet, 1 inch to beat Butler’s Nico Baggetta by 11 inches (187-2).

Being the underdog gave him extra incentive to throw farther.

“I guess it motivated me,” Kerstetter said. “It feels really good to be a two-time champion. Being the underdog really helps motivate you and pushes you that little extra.

“The competition was a lot tougher this season. I really like throwing in this environment. It is great to compete at Slippery Rock.”

The seeding is determined by the athletes’ performance during the season, and Kerstetter was seeded fourth with a 179-6 behind Baggetto (188-11), Pine-Richland senior Ryan Beam (184-10) and Peters Township junior Reston Lehman (183-10).

He threw a season-best 179-6 on his fifth throw of the meet. Then he tossed his winning throw on his next attempt.

Kerstetter was having an OK season, but he had not hit the big throw until the final toss of the competition.

It was a personal record by more than eight feet.

“I did not place at states last year,” Kerstetter said. “I want to be on the podium this year.”

Kerstetter also placed ninth in the discus with a PR of 146-5.

He was not the only Warrior to qualify for the PIAA championships Friday and Saturday at Shippensburg.

Senior Jake McGhee will be running in the 800- and 1,600-meter events. The Lett twins (Ekoulus and Aidon) will compete in the hurdles, and Thomas Cheplick will run with McGhee and the Letts in the 1,600-meter relay.

McGhee finished third in his two runs. His times of 1:57.65 (800) and 4:16.62 (1,600) were PRs.

Ekoulus Lett finished fourth in the 110 hurdles and second in the 300 hurdles. Aidon Lett finished sixth in the 300 hurdles. Ekoulus’ times of 14.80 (110 hurdles) and 38.84 (300 hurdles) were PRs. Aidon’s time of 39.36 (300 hurdles) and 15.37 (110 hurdles) were PRs. Aidon finished ninth in the 110 hurdles.

The 1,600-meter relay team finished third in a school best of 3:20.25.

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: Penn-Trafford