North Allegheny boys place fourth at PIAA Championships; Strelick finishes sixth in girls
by: Cross Country Contributor
The North Allegheny Cross Country program capped off its 2026 season with an outstanding showing at the PIAA Class AAA
State Championships on Saturday. Under ideal racing conditions on Big Spring High School’s challenging 5,000-meter course, the Tigers were highlighted by a fourth-place team finish for the boys and elite individual performances from sophomores Samantha Strelick and Gatik Hirwani. Strelick raced to an impressive sixth-place finish in the girls championship, while Hirwani placed eighth in the boys race, putting both Tigers among Pennsylvania’s very best distance runners.
Competing against the state’s top Class AAA programs, the Tigers earned fourth place overall with 210 points, finishing behind State College (33), Norwin (69), and LaSalle College (84).
Sophomore Gatik Hirwani delivered an exceptional performance, finishing eighth overall in 15:47. Hirwani steadily worked his way through the competitive field, moving from 30th at the opening mile to 12th at the four-kilometer mark before closing strong to secure a top-eight finish in Pennsylvania. Senior Wyatt Case followed with a strong performance of his own, finishing 51st overall in 16:17. Junior Denny Smith (89th, 16:41) and sophomore Colin Clarkson (101st, 16:46) provided important depth, while senior Andrew Morton (136th, 17:04) rounded out the Tigers’ scoring five. Junior Jack Pfeiffer (138th, 17:05) and senior Ethan Voll (174th, 17:21) completed North Allegheny’s seven-runner lineup.
North Allegheny Boys Results:
| Athlete | Overall Place | Team Place | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gatik Hirwani | 8th | 7th | 15:47 |
| Wyatt Case | 51st | 32nd | 16:17 |
| Denny Smith | 89th | 45th | 16:41 |
| Colin Clarkson | 101st | 54th | 16:46 |
| Andrew Morton | 136th | 72nd | 17:04 |
| Jack Pfeiffer | 138th | 73rd | 17:05 |
| Ethan Voll | 174th | 94th | 17:21 |
The Tigers demonstrated their ability to compete among Pennsylvania’s elite programs, using a balanced team effort and a standout performance from Hirwani to secure a top-four finish on the state’s biggest stage.
Strelick Places Sixth, Ries Competes at States
Sophomore Samantha Strelick delivered a tremendous individual performance, finishing sixth overall in the PIAA Class AAA girls championship with a time of 18:15.
Strelick demonstrated impressive race execution, moving steadily through the field after crossing the opening mile in 20th place. She climbed to 12th at the 2.5-kilometer mark and eighth at the two-mile checkpoint before finishing sixth overall. Her performance placed her among Pennsylvania’s elite distance runners and provided an exciting conclusion to her sophomore cross country season.
Senior Lily Ries also earned a spot in the state championship field, finishing 101st overall in 20:10. Her performance added another strong showing for North Allegheny’s girls program at the state level.
A Memorable Finish to an Outstanding Season
Saturday’s performances provided a fitting conclusion to an outstanding 2026 cross country season for North Allegheny. The boys’ fourth-place finish, along with remarkable individual performances from Strelick and Hirwani, highlighted the talent, determination, and competitive spirit that defined the Tigers throughout the fall.
From the opening meets of the season through the championship races in November, North Allegheny’s athletes consistently demonstrated their commitment to excellence, their teammates, and the program. The state championship performances were a well-deserved culmination of months of hard work and a tremendous way to close another successful season of Tigers Cross Country. Complete results can be found here.
