Cross Country Game Summaries

By: Cross Country Contributor

The North Allegheny boys capped their 2025 season with a 12th-place team finish at the PIAA State Championships in Hershey, recording an average time of 17:19 on the rolling Parkview course. Competing against the best in Pennsylvania, the Tigers showed both composure and competitiveness, with several athletes running personal bests on the state course and demonstrating strong second-half racing. Their 270-point team total was only 23 points away from the 7th-place team position, underscoring just how tight the overall standings were in one of the most competitive fields in recent memory.

Senior leader Andrew Peigh once again led the Tigers, placing 25th overall in 16:34 to earn his first state medal. Peigh got out hard to establish position among the lead pack and showed great grit through the middle and late stages of the race, holding strong to secure his place among the state’s top finishers. He closed out an outstanding senior season as one of the top runners from Western Pennsylvania.

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— John Neff (@natigerstrack) November 1, 2025

Freshman Gatik Hirwani delivered another outstanding performance, placing 74th overall in 17:10 — a personal best for the Hershey course and the second-fastest freshman in the entire field. After sitting in 89th place at the halfway mark, Hirwani surged in the second half to gain multiple positions over the closing kilometers.

Junior Wyatt Case was next across the line, running 17:25 for 109th overall, a personal best for the Hershey course in his first career appearance at the state meet. Case got out well in the opening mile and maintained position through the middle section, contributing another strong scoring performance to close out his season.

Freshman Colin Clarkson followed with another dynamite race, finishing 122nd overall in 17:30, also a state-course personal best. Clarkson continued his momentum from WPIALs, maintaining strong, consistent pacing throughout and finishing solidly among the top freshmen in the state.

Sophomore Denny Smith (17:55, 170th overall) and sophomore Nathan Hou (18:02, 178th overall) both recorded course personal bests, with Smith and Hou each improving their positions over the second half of the race. Senior Jack Curren (18:20, 199th overall) provided steady support in his final appearance in black and gold, rounding out a complete team effort for the Tigers.

Five of North Allegheny’s seven state competitors return next season, and all seven ran their fastest Hershey Parkview course times at this year’s championship — a fitting end to a high-quality 2025 campaign that blended strong senior leadership with a young lineup gaining its first taste of state-level competition.

On the girls’ side, freshman Samantha Strelick and junior Gabby Pizon represented North Allegheny as individual qualifiers. Both ran strong, composed races on the state stage, handling the rolling Parkview course with poise and closing well over the final stretch. Strelick moved up from 57th at the halfway mark to finish 43rd overall, placing fourth among all freshmen in her first cross country state championship appearance. Pizon also showed excellent late-race form, advancing from 172nd to 143rd over the second half to cap a solid junior season. Together, the pair’s performances reflected the progress and promise within the program and added a bright finish to another successful year for the North Allegheny girls’ team.

Complete results can be found here.

by: Cross Country Contributor

The North Allegheny cross country teams turned in strong performances at the WPIAL Class AAA Championships under perfect racing conditions at White Oak Park. The Tigers combined for a runner-up finish in the boys race and a fourth-place showing for the girls, highlighted by clutch efforts, lifetime bests, and two individual state qualifiers.

For the boys, senior Andrew Peigh led the charge with a fifth-place finish in 15:44, pacing an exceptionally tight North Allegheny front pack that kept the Tigers in contention for the title from start to finish. Junior Wyatt Case continued his breakout season with a 9th-place finish in 15:57, while freshman Gatik Hirwani impressed yet again, running 16:00 to take 10th overall as the top ninth grader in the field. Freshman Colin Clarkson (21st, 16:11) had the best race of his high school career, contributing valuable low points for the Tigers. Senior Jack Curren (34th, 16:31) rounded out the scoring five, helping NA secure second place with 79 points behind Hempfield Area (67). Junior Nathan Hou (60th, 17:05) and sophomore Denny Smith (70th, 17:09) completed the lineup. The boys will advance as a team to the PIAA State Championships in Hershey, where they’ll once again look to contend for a top team finish.

On the girls’ side, North Allegheny placed fourth overall with 164 points, narrowly missing one of the three team qualifying spots for states but earning two individual state qualifiers in freshman Samantha Strelick and junior Gabriela Pizon. Strelick continued her outstanding rookie season, finishing 11th overall in 18:41, while Pizon ran a lifetime best of 19:26 to place 25th and secure one of the final individual qualifying positions. Behind them, sophomore Lydia Stuart (34th, 19:42), senior Elinor Handel (47th, 20:10), and freshman Elizabeth Richmond (52nd, 20:13) rounded out the scoring five, with sophomore Leila Nocera (75th, 20:37) and junior Madeline Burgbacher (87th, 20:58) providing additional depth.

With both squads racing confidently and executing their race plans in ideal fall conditions, North Allegheny once again showcased the depth, balance, and championship focus that have defined the program. The Tigers will now send their boys’ team, along with Strelick and Pizon individually, to Hershey for the PIAA State Championships next weekend.

Complete results available here.

by: Cross Country Contributor

Girls

Racing in ideal mid-afternoon conditions, the North Allegheny girls earned a third-place team finish in the AAA race with 138 points (team time 1:38:07, 19:37 avg). The Tigers showcased their depth and steady progress, with several lifetime bests highlighting the day. Freshman Samantha Strelick once again led the way, placing 3rd overall (18:14) after staying with the lead pack throughout. Junior Gabriela Pizon followed in 18th (19:26) with a lifetime personal best, and Sophomore Lydia Stuart added another lifetime best in 32nd (19:50). Freshman Elizabeth Richmond ran a composed race to finish 38th (20:12), while Senior Elinor Handel completed the scoring in 47th (20:23). Behind them, Sophomore Leila Nocera (62nd, 20:51) and Junior Madeline Burgbacher (74th, 21:03) each recorded lifetime personal bests, giving the team momentum and confidence heading into championship week.

Boys

The North Allegheny boys followed with one of their most complete races of the season, capturing the team title with 64 points (team time 1:20:58, 16:11 avg) and an impressive 1–5 gap of 1:16. Senior Andrew Peigh set the tone up front, finishing 2nd overall (15:38) with a powerful close, while Junior Wyatt Case delivered a lifetime personal best in 4th (15:42) to give NA two in the top five. Freshman Gatik Hirwani continued his strong debut season with 7th (16:03), and Freshman Colin Clarkson posted a lifetime best in 20th (16:38). Senior Jack Curren capped scoring in 31st (16:54), while both Sophomore Denny Smith (37th, 17:01) and Sophomore Nathan Hou (48th, 17:07) added lifetime personal bests to complete a top seven that showed exceptional balance and precision. The Tigers’ performance reinforced their championship form as they turn toward next week’s WPIAL Championships.

For complete results, click here.

by: Cross Country Contributor

On a warm, sunny afternoon at Shaler Area, the Tigers wrapped up section racing with split results. The girls remained unbeaten, earning the section crown, while the boys dropped a narrow one-point decision to Butler, finishing as section runners-up.

Girls

North Allegheny’s girls dominated the race and capped off a perfect section season with authority. Freshman Samantha Strelick claimed the win in 19:49, followed closely by senior Gabriela Pizon in 3rd at 21:14. Senior Elinor Handel (5th, 21:56) with juniors Madeleine Jablonski (6th, 22:03) and Madeline Burgbacher (7th, 22:11) made it a tight scoring pack. Freshman Elizabeth Richmond (10th, 22:54) and sophomore Leila Nocera (11th, 22:59) locked down the top seven.

Team Scores:

NA 22, Butler 35
NA 15, Shaler 50

Boys

The Tigers battled hard in the heat but came up just one point short against Butler in a thrilling dual. Senior Andrew Peigh led the team with a runner-up finish in 16:44, while junior Wyatt Case (3rd, 17:21) and freshman Gatik Hirwani (4th, 17:23) packed up right behind. Seniors Jack Curren (9th, 18:12) and freshman Colin Clarkson (10th, 18:15) rounded out the scoring five. Sophomore Nathan Hou (13th, 18:23) and sophomore Sam Patterson (14th, 18:35) completed the Tigers’ top seven.

Team Scores:

Butler 27, NA 28
NA 15, Shaler 50

Both squads now shift their focus toward the championship stretch with momentum and depth on their side.

by: Cross Country Contributor

The North Allegheny boys set the tone early, claiming the top three spots and never looking back. Senior Andrew Peigh (1st, 16:49) led the charge, followed closely by freshman Gatik Hirwani (2nd, 16:57) and junior Wyatt Case (3rd, 17:01). Freshman Colin Clarkson (6th, 17:09) and senior Jack Curren (9th, 17:31) closed out the scoring five. Depth was once again a strength, with senior Justin Peoples (10th, 17:32) and sophomore Nathan Hou (12th, 17:35) rounding out the top seven as the Tigers secured decisive dual wins, 19–42 over Seneca Valley and 17–43 over North Hills .

The girls followed with an equally commanding performance, highlighted by freshman Samantha Strelick (1st, 20:07). Fellow freshman Elizabeth Richmond (4th, 20:53), sophomore Lydia Stuart (5th, 20:54), and junior Gabriela Pizon (6th, 20:55) packed tightly behind, while junior Juliet Forrest (9th, 21:01) sealed the scoring five. The depth extended further with junior Abby Gordish (10th, 21:04) and senior Elinor Handel (11th, 21:05) rounding out the top seven. Their collective effort delivered convincing margins, 17–44 over Seneca Valley and 23–38 over North Hills .

Both Tiger squads managed the humid conditions with confidence and depth, earning sweeps over their section rivals. They now turn their focus to Butler and Shaler next Tuesday to close out the dual-meet season.