Records Fell, Stars Emerged & State Dreams Stayed Alive at District 2 Championships
By: Justin Bradley | SportzWire | May 12, 2026 | Photo courtesy Bradley Dieffenbacher
SCRANTON — Under beautiful skies and championship-level energy, Scranton Memorial Stadium became the epicenter of Pennsylvania track and field Monday and Tuesday for the PIAA District 2 Championships.
For two days, the area’s top athletes battled for district gold and coveted spots at the PIAA State Championships in Shippensburg and the performances absolutely delivered.
Despite new media restrictions limiting media access and student creators around the competition areas, an interesting decision considering those same creators spent the entire season amplifying these athletes and programs, Sportzwire still delivered the action with unbelievable photos, live results and interviews to keep the championship coverage flowing.
District records fell. Freshmen exploded onto the scene. Relay teams electrified the crowd. And several athletes left Scranton Memorial Stadium looking every bit like future state medalists.
AAA Boys: Dallas Claims Team Crown, Wilkes-Barre Area Makes History
The Dallas Mountaineers captured the AAA boys team championship with 100 points, edging a loaded field packed with sprint depth, distance talent, and elite field-event performers.
AAA Boys Team Standings
- Dallas — 100
- Wallenpaupack — 84.5
- Hazleton Area — 72
- Crestwood — 66
- Wilkes-Barre Area — 66
While Dallas earned the team trophy, Wilkes-Barre Area produced one of the defining moments of the meet.
The Wolfpack’s boys 4x100 relay team shattered the District 2 meet record, blazing to a championship time of 42.55, breaking a mark that had stood since 1988.
Senior sprint star Timothy Leonard was nearly untouchable all meet long, sweeping:
- 100 meters — 10.84
- 200 meters — 21.64
while anchoring the historic relay squad.
Teammate Kevon Creech added:
- Runner-up in the 200
- Fifth in the 100
giving Wilkes-Barre Area one of the top sprint groups in Pennsylvania.
Wallenpaupack Dominates the Distance Events
The Buckhorns controlled the distance races throughout the championships.
Wallenpaupack captured:
- AAA boys 4x800 relay
- AAA boys 4x400 relay
while senior standout Aiden Janowicz delivered a monster double by winning:
- 800 meters — 1:55.24
- 1600 meters — 4:27.14
The Buckhorns also received huge contributions from:
- Bryce Pagano — AAA 400 champion
- Ryan Vargo — AAA discus champion
making Wallenpaupack one of the meet’s most balanced programs.
AAA Girls: Abington Heights Holds Off Crestwood
The AAA girls team race stayed tight throughout both days before Abington Heights emerged with the district title.
AAA Girls Team Standings
- Abington Heights — 110
- Crestwood — 98
- Wyoming Area — 68
- North Pocono — 67
- Hazleton Area — 60.5
Freshman phenom Aliya Lucarelli stole the spotlight for Abington Heights.
The Comets sprinter captured:
- 100 meters — 12.46
- 200 meters — 25.36
announcing herself as one of the next major sprint stars in District 2.
Teammate Anna Pucilowski dominated the distance scene, winning the:
- 3200 meters
while finishing runner-up in both:
- 800
- 1600
Crestwood countered with elite depth across the board, highlighted by:
- AAA girls 4x800 championship
- Multiple top distance finishes
- Isla Centak’s javelin title
North Pocono Speed & Wyoming Area Hurdle Dominance
North Pocono continued its strong sprint season with a AAA girls 4x100 relay championship in 50.13.
Senior standout Pia Zangardi added another stacked individual meet:
- Runner-up in the 100
- Fourth in the 200
- Runner-up in long jump
Wyoming Area absolutely owned the hurdle events.
Sophomore standout Jenesa Sancho captured the:
- 300 hurdles title
while placing runner-up in the:
- 100 hurdles
Teammate Lucia Campenni also medaled in both hurdle events to give the Warriors major points.
Olivia Thomas Delivers One of the Meet’s Best Performances
One of the biggest breakout stars of the championships was Mid Valley freshman Olivia Thomas.
Thomas completely exploded onto the District 2 scene by winning:
- AA 100 hurdles
- AA long jump
- AA triple jump
Her triple jump mark of 40-10.75 instantly placed her among Pennsylvania’s elite regardless of classification.
Mid Valley’s girls squad also received huge performances from:
- Natalie Talluto
- Keri Michaels
- Karsyn Caines
helping the Spartans finish second overall in the AA standings.
AA Girls Team Standings
- Montrose — 125
- Mid Valley — 97.5
- Western Wayne — 94.5
- Lakeland — 85.3
Dunmore Boys Put Together a Championship Clinic
The Dunmore Bucks dominated the AA boys competition from start to finish.
AA Boys Team Standings
- Dunmore — 124
- Elk Lake — 87
- Riverside — 76.3
- Mid Valley — 66
Junior standout Jake Costanzo delivered one of the meet’s most impressive sprint doubles, winning:
- 400 meters — 48.88
- 200 meters — 22.29
Dunmore also received monster performances from:
- Weston Yannone
- Carter Sload
- Josh Dudick
Yannone was sensational throughout the championships, capturing:
- 110 hurdles
- 300 hurdles
while also making noise in the sprint events.
Elk Lake Distance Crew Delivers
Elk Lake’s distance group looked dominant all week long.
Senior standout Kendel Jones swept:
- 800 meters
- 1600 meters
- 3200 meters
cementing himself as one of the top distance runners in Pennsylvania entering states.
Teammate Cody Adams added runner-up finishes in both the 1600 and 3200 to help Elk Lake secure second place in the AA boys standings.
Field Events Produced Massive Marks
The throwing and jumping events delivered some jaw-dropping performances throughout the championships.
Top Field Event Performances Included:
- Hunter Pitcavage (Dallas) — AAA boys javelin champion with a massive 214-7
- Ryan Vargo (Wallenpaupack) — AAA boys discus champion at 176-4
- Nevaeh Baran (Greater Nanticoke) — AAA long jump & triple jump champion
- Josh Mruk (Wyoming Area) — AAA shot put champion
- Olivia Thomas (Mid Valley) — AA triple jump champion
- Rocco Spataro (Lakeland) — AA javelin champion
State Championships Await
Now, the attention turns west to Shippensburg University.
District 2 will send a loaded group of qualifiers into the PIAA State Championships after two unforgettable days at Scranton Memorial Stadium.
And if this week proved anything, it’s that District 2 athletes are heading to states with much more than just qualifiers they’re heading there with legitimate chances to bring home gold.
Photo albums from the two days of action can be found using the links below. Be sure to go follow Bradley Dieffenbacher Photography
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