SHIPPENSBURG — The PIAA Track and Field Championships brought out the best in area athletes. Whether chasing a title, earning a long-awaited medal, or capping a storied career, they left Shippensburg with more than results — they left with a legacy.

From Gavin Nelson’s silver in a record-setting high jump final to Nataly Walters’ eighth career state medal, Times News area standouts once again proved they belonged on Pennsylvania’s biggest stage. Seniors cemented their status, underclassmen made their mark, and each performance told a story of grit, growth, and achievement.

Northwestern’s Nelson earns silver in high jump

In one of the most electric competitions of the weekend, Northwestern Lehigh’s Gavin Nelson rose to the moment and landed on the podium with a silver medal in the Class 3A high jump.

Nelson cleared 6 feet, 8 inches on his second attempt Saturday at Shippensburg University’s Seth Grove Stadium, securing second place in a final headlined by a state-record performance from Dallastown’s Jalen Cook.

“It’s a great feeling,” said Nelson, who entered seeded tied for second. “Just to be able to come out here and compete and get the second-place medal — I’m really happy with that.”

Cook won the event with a PIAA-record clearance of 7-3, hitting 6-11, 7-1 and 7-3 on his first attempts before narrowly missing at 7-5 on all three tries. Nelson and Owen J. Roberts’ Declan Gallagher both cleared 6-6 on their second attempts, but after Gallagher cleared 6-7 on his first try, Nelson passed. At 6-8, Nelson’s second-attempt clearance and Gallagher’s third secured Nelson the runner-up finish after both failed to clear 6-9 on three tries.

The result capped a stellar senior season that included Colonial League and District 11 titles. It also marked his second career state medal after finishing third in Class 2A last season.

“I think I might have tried to change some things from my run-up — maybe my form didn’t feel as great today as it had before,” said Nelson. “But it’s all learning experiences. You take it in and grow from it.”

Nelson will continue his track and field career at Monmouth University, and hopes to leave behind a legacy for younger athletes at Northwestern.

“I know we have a freshman jumper,” he said. “I hope to pass on some of my knowledge to him so that he can get to this stage one day and hopefully place at states, too.”

Walters wraps up stellar run with two more state medals

Palmerton’s Nataly Walters capped one of the most decorated careers in program and area history with two more medals at states — and left a legacy that extends far beyond the runway.

The senior placed fifth in the Class 3A long jump (18-5¾ – a mark that came on her third attempt in prelims) and finished second in the triple jump Friday, competing in the state’s largest classification after dominating in 2A. Walters won state titles in the long jump in 2023 and 2024, and in the triple jump in 2023. She also had runner-up finishes in the triple jump in 2024, placed seventh in the long jump as a freshman in 2022, and helped Palmerton’s 400-meter relay team place sixth in Class 2A in 2024.

This spring, Walters broke Colonial League meet records in the long jump, triple jump and 400 relay. She also set the District 11 Class 3A meet record in the triple jump, becoming the only athlete to own D11 meet records in both 2A and 3A in the event.

“I’m just really proud of myself,” said Walters. “I brought home state medals every single year since freshman year. And I’m ready for the next chapter in my life.”

Her ability to compete at the highest level was never more evident than this year, when she moved up to the state’s largest classification and still stood on the podium in both events.

Walters will continue her track and field career at the University of North Florida, where she’ll compete at the Division 1 level.

“I’ll have a lot better weather down in North Florida,” she said with a smile. “I’ll have more coaching, I’ll have a set schedule — so I’m hoping for the best in the future. The sky’s the limit.”

And while she’s moving on, Walters said she’ll always be connected to Palmerton — and to the sport that gave her so much.

“I’ll for sure be back in the area to see my cousin Ruby and everything,” she said. “I’m not going forever. Track’s never going to leave my life.”

Barthold finishes career with 800 medal, school record

Northern Lehigh senior Katelynn Barthold ended her high school career with a personal best, school record, and her second straight medal in the 800 meters.

Barthold placed eighth in the Class 2A final with a time of 2:15.63 — a PR that smashed her 11th seed time of 2:18.19. She also medaled in the event in 2023, finishing seventh.

“I broke my school record by like two seconds, I’m pretty sure, so that’s exciting,” Barthold said. “The competition was definitely faster this year, so I’m just happy I medaled — and then on top of that PR’d, so that was great.”

Barthold won Colonial League and District 11 titles in the event this season, and also qualified for states in the 3200-meter relay.

She’ll continue her academic and athletic career at Lafayette College.

“I’m just really happy that I’m leaving with breaking my record,” she said. “It’s a huge thing. It’s a great high to end on — and it’s something I worked super hard for.”

Lehighton’s Roth medals in javelin on final attempt

Joe Roth made his last throw count — and earned his first state medal.

The Lehighton senior placed fifth in the Class 3A javelin with a mark of 190-7 on his final attempt in Saturday’s finals at the PIAA Track and Field Championships. Roth’s clutch throw came after entering the finals with a mark of 181-6 from his second attempt in prelims — already a strong performance, but still short of the podium.

“I barely made finals,” Roth said. “I was a little discouraged, but beating my opponents and climbing up like that really felt good.”

On his sixth and final throw of the competition, Roth delivered a 190-7 — nearly 10 feet better than his prelim mark and enough to vault him into fifth place.

Roth finished 12th in the event in 2023, and improved his mark by nearly 18 feet from last year. His performance capped a career defined by persistence — and pride.

“Just to make it to states is really hard,” Roth said. “It’s great to see another person from your high school make it as well. We’ve been doing it proud.”

Roth was joined at states by teammate Emma Repsher, who placed 15th in the girls Class 3A javelin. Both athletes are coached by Lehighton graduate Gwen (Remaley) Davidson, who was eighth in the 3A shot put in 2014.

“To be part of that tradition, to represent Lehighton, and to be coached by someone who’s been here and done it — it’s special,” Roth said. “I love the sport. It’s amazing. I just hope to carry on, because it’s something I love.”

Rutkowitz breaks through with sixth in triple jump

Palmerton sophomore Jake Rutkowitz earned his first state medal with a sixth-place finish in the Class 2A triple jump, posting a mark of 44-5.

He improved on his 13th-place finish as a freshman last year and delivered under pressure — hitting his best mark on his third attempt in prelims to reach finals.

“I was like, alright, if I don’t do anything right now, I’m just going to be going home,” Rutkowitz said. “So I really pushed myself.”

A Colonial League and District 11 champion in the event, Rutkowitz also tied for 10th in the long jump, and qualified for states in the 110 hurdles. He broke the Colonial League meet record in the long jump earlier this season with a leap of 23-2.

With a state medal already to his name and two more years of eligibility, Rutkowitz is quickly becoming one of the area’s top all-around track athletes.

“I’m just happy to bring home a medal,” he said. “That’s it, I guess.”

Looking ahead

The medals and milestones captured at Seth Grove Stadium were the result of months — and in many cases, years — of dedication. For the seniors, it was a fitting sendoff. For the underclassmen, it was a preview of what’s to come. With several athletes continuing their careers at the collegiate level — and others just getting started — the future of the sport in the Times News area remains as promising as ever.

PIAA Track and Field Championships

Results of Times News area athletes (Saturday)

BOYS

High Jump (AAA)

• 2. Gavin Nelson (Northwestern), 6-8

Triple Jump (AA)

• 6. Jake Rutkowitz (Palmerton), 44-5

Shot Put (AA)

• 13. Logan Anthony (Palmerton), 50-1.75

Javelin (AAA)

• 5. Joe Roth (Lehighton), 190-7

3200 (AA)

• 21. Connor Hibell (Palmerton), 9:57.11

GIRLS

Long Jump (AAA)

• 5. Nataly Walters (Palmerton), 18-5.75

800 (AA)

• 8. Katelynn Barthold (Northern Lehigh), 2:15.63

3200 Relay (AA)

• 21. Northern Lehigh (Taylor Everk, Natalie Moffitt, Mikayla Gordon, Katelynn Barthold), 10:22.23

Javelin (AAA)

• 15. Emma Repsher (Lehighton), 123-11

Shot Put (AA)

• 21. Olivia Thomas (Marian), 32-5