Quaker Valley track teams build championship culture

By: Ray Fisher
Sunday, May 18, 2025 | 11:01 AM

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Both Quaker Valley track and field teams won WPIAL championships in Class 2A again this season.

And it never was a close call for either squad.

“I am just blown away by our teams,” QV coach Jared Jones said. “They are such a great group of kids. It is so nice to see them come together and compete for one another.

“I think our coaching staff is fortunate to work with an amazing group of student-athletes. It is very difficult to pinpoint the key to our success. The natural talent is clearly the biggest factor, but our coaches do a great job at identifying the talent and helping support the athletes to reach their potential. The part I’m most proud of that I think plays a big factor in what we’re able to do as a team is the positive environment our athletes and coaches have created. I think that environment starts with the athletes’ open mindset and willingness to do what is best for our team.”

QV’s girls squad captured its fourth consecutive district title by waltzing past North Catholic, 101-49, Carlynton, 97-53, and Laurel, 97-53, in the championship meet.

The boys earned their second title in the past two seasons by defeating Beaver, 96-54, Shenango, 107-43, and Mohawk, 109-41.

The WPIAL Class 2A team finals were held May 6 at Peters Township.

There were so many sparkling performances displayed by QV athletes at the meet, none moreso than senior Cecilia Montagnese’s in the girls distance events.

A Villanova commit for cross country and track and field, Montagnese roared to first in the 800, 1,600 and 3,200 to lead the way for the QV girls on their quest for a fourth team title.

“I am just so proud of all the girls on the team,” Montagnese said. “Everyone’s been working so hard for it, some people since the indoor season in November. It’s really just such a great group of girls who truly showed up on that day.”

The Quakers’ 400-meter relay team, consisting of two seniors — Kwilai Karto and Vanessa Pickett— and two sophomores — Evie Rosselli and Rose Pocasangre — also finished first in an unbeatable performance.

“I’m very proud of the girls team for winning,” Pickett said. “The girls on our team work very hard, and we are all dedicated to come to practice every day and compete to the best of our ability.”

There were several other noteworthy efforts achieved by QV girls.

Pocasangre (300 hurdles), Pickett (long jump) and seniors Jay Olawaiye (triple jump) and Sarah Minard (pole vault) all won individual events, as did juniors Mimi Thiero and Mia Gartley, who tied for first in the high jump.

“I am so proud of all the girls on the girls track team,” Olawaiye said. “Each athlete who attended the meet contributed immensely to the win. Even the athletes who didn’t compete were helping run the meet and cheering on competing athletes when they needed support.”

Pickett’s 18-feet, 0.75-inch distance in the long jump was a big personal best that moved her into second place all-time at QV. The girls school record is 18-3.5 set in 2010 by Tabitha Bemis, a 2023 QV Sports Hall of Fame inductee who is an assistant track and field coach at Slippery Rock University.

Also, Karto finished as the runner-up in both the 100- and 200-meter dashes.

For the Quaker Valley boys team, senior Gavin “Macky” Gartley dominated the hurdles competition by easily taking first place in the 110 and 300 events.

“Winning back-to-back is a great feeling,” Gartley said. “I’m very proud because it shows our commitment to the sport as a team. Everyone works so hard all year, and this was a result of that.

“I’m happy with our performance, but it was not our best performance. We didn’t get the marks we wanted in every event, but we did still win.”

James Irwin, a sophomore, also earned the top spot in two events — the 400 and long jump.

“I think our performance at the WPIAL finals was an excellent showing of our dedication and time put into our sport,” Irwin said, “and it was nothing less than we expected.

“This team is one of if not the best QV has ever seen, and we are hoping to continue building our legacy through the next couple of years and of course at states this year.”

Jonah Montagnese, another sophomore, claimed first in the 3,200 and second in the 1,600 while seniors Jackson Pethel (800) and Winston Clifford (high jump) won in their specialties.

“I’m really impressed with the boys’ performance,” Montagnese said. “Everyone has worked hard this season, and I’m glad it paid off. I’m also really happy to have gotten back-to-back titles. It doesn’t happen very often, and this is just the start. I know everyone on the team already has their eyes set on hopefully winning again next year.

“We are moving on to the state championships where hopefully we can end the season on a high note, and maybe even bring home the state team title.”

The boys 3,200 relay team rounded out the impressive list of QV titlists at the WPIAL meet thanks to the efforts of sophomore Kieran Cain, junior River Capek, Pethel and senior Clark LaLomia, who also placed second in the 800 and 1,600.

“Having experienced both loss and victory at the WPIAL finals in the past few years, the QV boys team’s performance at this year’s meet was remarkable,” Capek said. “We would not have been able to accomplish this achievement without pushing each other to do our best and reach for our goals.

“Our team is extremely competitive, and as much as we are a family, we are constantly striving to better ourselves and each other. This culture and ever-improving standard is giving us a glimpse of the state title in our sights.”

The QV girls rolled past Winchester Thurston, 81-68, Brownsville, 119-30, and South Side, 135-15, in the WPIAL semifinals. The QV boys blitzed Waynesburg, 114-360, South Side, 124-26, and Neighborhood Academy, 144-5.

Along with Jones, QV’s coaching braintrust for the track and field program consists of John Doucette (jumps/hurdles), Ron Graf (distance), Kari Miller (throws), Paul Szuba (throws), Laura Jones (pole vault) and Emmy Galet (sprints).

“Their dedication, time and love for our student-athletes is the essence of what has allowed for the success of our track and field program,” Jones said.

Tags: Quaker Valley