PIAA track and field: Freeport’s Mackenzie Magness places 2nd after bizarre delay halts pole vault
Freeport’s Mackenzie Magness places second with a height of 12 feet in the girls Class 2A pole vault on Day 2 of the PIAA Track and Field Championships on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at Shippensburg University's Seth Grove Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
SHIPPENSBURG — Mackenzie Magness was prepared for the pressure of attempting to defend her PIAA Track and Field Championships Class 2A girls pole vault title from a year ago.
She was not anticipating what occurred once the event was moved inside due to Saturday’s rain at Shippensburg University. Magness came in at 11 feet, making her third attempt at that height to stay alive. She and four other vaulters moved on to 11-6, where they would be joined by Grove City’s Aleah Morgante, who waited until that height to start competing.
One of the vaulters, Cranberry’s Darien Wenner, was excused to compete in the 4x800-meter relay, which halted the pole vault action until she returned.
Magness said an hour had passed when Wenner finally returned to the field house, where the pole vault was being held.
“The rule is if vaulters are waiting for that long, they get 10 minutes to warm up,” Magness said. “Do what they need to do to get ready.”
The National Federation of State High School Associations rule book confirms this, but there was one problem.
Morgante, who had waited for over two hours to attempt her first height, claimed to d9and10sports.com after the fact the break was far less than an hour, and protested the other vaulters being allowed to warm up for 10 minutes by sitting on the runway.
Officials’ attempts to have Morgante clear the area so the competition could resume took at least 30 minutes, according to Magness. Her 12 feet ended up second to Morgante’s 13-0.5.
“I wanted 12-6 today, and I’m not blaming how I did on anything that happened,” she said. “I’m proud of how I stayed composed, still performed after everything. I’m proud of the other girls for competing the way they did.”
Seneca Valley’s Monteleone finds her niche
Jordan Monteleone’s final chance in athletics proved to be very rewarding.
“I tried every sport when I was growing up,” Seneca Valley’s senior said. “Basketball, softball, swimming, cross country ... I didn’t like any of them. My mom has always been a really good athlete, and she told me: ‘You have to play a sport.’
“I went out for the track and field team my freshman year, it was my last option. Right from the start, I was able to clear heights in the high jump. I was really good at it.”
Making her third and final appearance at states, Monteleone was all smiles when she hopped off the medal stand after finishing third at 5-5.
“I wanted to be in the top three, and I got it,” she said. “It’s a little sad, though, because this is it for me (in high school).”
Her progression in the event has earned her a scholarship to Duquesne University.
Monteleone, who placed fourth here last year, took off her spikes and wore tennis shoes while jumping as the event was moved indoors due to inclement weather.
“The technique is the same, just the different shoes,” she said. “It took me back to jumping during the indoor season.”
North Catholic’s Audra Lazzara places sixth in the girls Class 2A 100-meter hurdles on Day 2 of the PIAA Track and Field Championships on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at Shippensburg University's Seth Grove Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
North Catholic’s Audra Lazzara stays on podium
A cold rain forced Audra Lazzara to break from the routine she was hoping for. A junior hurdler from North Catholic, she had to prepare for the Class 2A 100-meter final differently.
“When it’s nice weather, I can warm up in five or 10 minutes,” she said. “But today, I had to start an hour before the event. The key is to keep the lead-leg hamstring loose.
“Once the event starts, I try to treat it like any other race, keep the same technique (despite the weather).”
Lazzara, who set a personal-record of 14.79 in the hurdles at WPIALs nine days prior, placed sixth in the state with a time of 15.26. She was runner-up at PIAAs last year.
Her twin sister, Anna Lazzara, placed sixth in the 100 dash. For North’s boys, Jack Steineman was fifth in the 3,200 run.
Union/AC-Valley’s Aidan Fox participates in the boys 2A triple jump on Day 2 of the PIAA Track and Field Championships on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at Shippensburg University's Seth Grove Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Union/AC-Valley’s Aidan Fox participates in the boys 2A triple jump on Day 2 of the PIAA Track and Field Championships on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at Shippensburg University's Seth Grove Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Union/AC-Valley’s Aidan Fox participates in the boys 2A triple jump on Day 2 of the PIAA Track and Field Championships on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at Shippensburg University's Seth Grove Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Union/AC-Valley’s Aidan Fox participates in the boys 2A triple jump on Day 2 of the PIAA Track and Field Championships on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at Shippensburg University's Seth Grove Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Union/AC-Valley’s Aidan Fox participates in the boys 2A triple jump on Day 2 of the PIAA Track and Field Championships on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at Shippensburg University's Seth Grove Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
North Catholic’s Jack Steineman places fifth in the boys 2A 3200-meter run with a time of 9:21.23 on Day 2 of the PIAA Track and Field Championships on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at Shippensburg University's Seth Grove Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
North Catholic’s Jack Steineman places fifth in the boys 2A 3200-meter run with a time of 9:21.23 on Day 2 of the PIAA Track and Field Championships on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at Shippensburg University's Seth Grove Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
North Catholic’s Jack Steineman places fifth in the boys 2A 3200-meter run with a time of 9:21.23 on Day 2 of the PIAA Track and Field Championships on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at Shippensburg University's Seth Grove Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
North Catholic’s Jack Steineman places fifth in the boys 2A 3200-meter run with a time of 9:21.23 on Day 2 of the PIAA Track and Field Championships on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at Shippensburg University's Seth Grove Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
North Catholic’s Jack Steineman places fifth in the boys 2A 3200-meter run with a time of 9:21.23 on Day 2 of the PIAA Track and Field Championships on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at Shippensburg University's Seth Grove Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
North Catholic’s Jack Steineman places fifth in the boys 2A 3200-meter run with a time of 9:21.23 on Day 2 of the PIAA Track and Field Championships on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at Shippensburg University's Seth Grove Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
North Catholic’s Jack Steineman places fifth in the boys 2A 3200-meter run with a time of 9:21.23 on Day 2 of the PIAA Track and Field Championships on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at Shippensburg University's Seth Grove Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
North Catholic’s Jack Steineman places fifth in the boys 2A 3200-meter run with a time of 9:21.23 on Day 2 of the PIAA Track and Field Championships on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at Shippensburg University's Seth Grove Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
North Catholic’s Jack Steineman places fifth in the boys 2A 3200-meter run with a time of 9:21.23 on Day 2 of the PIAA Track and Field Championships on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at Shippensburg University's Seth Grove Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
North Catholic’s Jack Steineman places fifth in the boys 2A 3200-meter run with a time of 9:21.23 on Day 2 of the PIAA Track and Field Championships on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at Shippensburg University's Seth Grove Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
North Catholic’s Jack Steineman places fifth in the boys 2A 3200-meter run with a time of 9:21.23 on Day 2 of the PIAA Track and Field Championships on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at Shippensburg University's Seth Grove Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
North Catholic’s Jack Steineman places fifth in the boys 2A 3200-meter run with a time of 9:21.23 on Day 2 of the PIAA Track and Field Championships on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at Shippensburg University's Seth Grove Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
North Catholic’s Jack Steineman places fifth in the boys 2A 3200-meter run with a time of 9:21.23 on Day 2 of the PIAA Track and Field Championships on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at Shippensburg University's Seth Grove Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
North Catholic’s Jack Steineman places fifth in the boys 2A 3200-meter run with a time of 9:21.23 on Day 2 of the PIAA Track and Field Championships on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at Shippensburg University's Seth Grove Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
North Catholic’s Jack Steineman places fifth in the boys 2A 3200-meter run with a time of 9:21.23 on Day 2 of the PIAA Track and Field Championships on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at Shippensburg University's Seth Grove Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
North Catholic’s Tyler Carroll runs in the boys 2A 3200-meter run on Day 2 of the PIAA Track and Field Championships on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at Shippensburg University's Seth Grove Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
North Catholic’s Tyler Carroll runs in the boys 2A 3200-meter run on Day 2 of the PIAA Track and Field Championships on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at Shippensburg University's Seth Grove Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
North Catholic’s Tyler Carroll runs in the boys 2A 3200-meter run on Day 2 of the PIAA Track and Field Championships on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at Shippensburg University's Seth Grove Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
North Catholic’s Jack Steineman places fifth in the boys 2A 3200-meter run with a time of 9:21.23 on Day 2 of the PIAA Track and Field Championships on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at Shippensburg University's Seth Grove Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
North Catholic’s Jack Steineman places fifth in the boys 2A 3200-meter run with a time of 9:21.23 on Day 2 of the PIAA Track and Field Championships on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at Shippensburg University's Seth Grove Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
North Catholic’s Jack Steineman places fifth in the boys 2A 3200-meter run with a time of 9:21.23 on Day 2 of the PIAA Track and Field Championships on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at Shippensburg University's Seth Grove Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
North Catholic’s Jack Steineman places fifth in the boys 2A 3200-meter run with a time of 9:21.23 on Day 2 of the PIAA Track and Field Championships on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at Shippensburg University's Seth Grove Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
North Catholic’s Tyler Carroll runs in the boys 2A 3200-meter run on Day 2 of the PIAA Track and Field Championships on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at Shippensburg University's Seth Grove Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
North Catholic’s Tyler Carroll, left, places his hands on Jack Steinman’s back after the boys 2A 3200-meter run on Day 2 of the PIAA Track and Field Championships on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at Shippensburg University's Seth Grove Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
North Catholic’s Audra Lazzara places sixth in the girls 2A 100-meter hurdles on Day 2 of the PIAA Track and Field Championships on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at Shippensburg University's Seth Grove Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
North Catholic’s Audra Lazzara places sixth in the girls 2A 100-meter hurdles on Day 2 of the PIAA Track and Field Championships on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at Shippensburg University's Seth Grove Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
North Catholic’s Audra Lazzara places sixth in the girls 2A 100-meter hurdles on Day 2 of the PIAA Track and Field Championships on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at Shippensburg University's Seth Grove Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Freeport’s Mackenzie Magness places second with a height of 12-0 in the girls 2A pole vault on Day 2 of the PIAA Track and Field Championships on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at Shippensburg University's Seth Grove Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Freeport’s Mackenzie Magness places second with a height of 12-0 in the girls 2A pole vault on Day 2 of the PIAA Track and Field Championships on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at Shippensburg University's Seth Grove Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Freeport’s Mackenzie Magness places second with a height of 12-0 in the girls 2A pole vault on Day 2 of the PIAA Track and Field Championships on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at Shippensburg University's Seth Grove Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Freeport’s Mackenzie Magness places second with a height of 12-0 in the girls 2A pole vault on Day 2 of the PIAA Track and Field Championships on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at Shippensburg University's Seth Grove Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
Union/AC-Valley’s Aidan Fox participates in the boys 2A triple jump on Day 2 of the PIAA Track and Field Championships on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at Shippensburg University's Seth Grove Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
Union/AC-Valley’s Aidan Fox participates in the boys 2A triple jump on Day 2 of the PIAA Track and Field Championships on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at Shippensburg University's Seth Grove Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
Union/AC-Valley’s Aidan Fox participates in the boys 2A triple jump on Day 2 of the PIAA Track and Field Championships on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at Shippensburg University's Seth Grove Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
Union/AC-Valley’s Aidan Fox participates in the boys 2A triple jump on Day 2 of the PIAA Track and Field Championships on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at Shippensburg University's Seth Grove Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
Union/AC-Valley’s Aidan Fox participates in the boys 2A triple jump on Day 2 of the PIAA Track and Field Championships on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at Shippensburg University's Seth Grove Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
North Catholic’s Jack Steineman places fifth in the boys 2A 3200-meter run with a time of 9:21.23 on Day 2 of the PIAA Track and Field Championships on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at Shippensburg University's Seth Grove Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
North Catholic’s Jack Steineman places fifth in the boys 2A 3200-meter run with a time of 9:21.23 on Day 2 of the PIAA Track and Field Championships on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at Shippensburg University's Seth Grove Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
North Catholic’s Jack Steineman places fifth in the boys 2A 3200-meter run with a time of 9:21.23 on Day 2 of the PIAA Track and Field Championships on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at Shippensburg University's Seth Grove Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
North Catholic’s Jack Steineman places fifth in the boys 2A 3200-meter run with a time of 9:21.23 on Day 2 of the PIAA Track and Field Championships on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at Shippensburg University's Seth Grove Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
North Catholic’s Jack Steineman places fifth in the boys 2A 3200-meter run with a time of 9:21.23 on Day 2 of the PIAA Track and Field Championships on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at Shippensburg University's Seth Grove Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
North Catholic’s Jack Steineman places fifth in the boys 2A 3200-meter run with a time of 9:21.23 on Day 2 of the PIAA Track and Field Championships on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at Shippensburg University's Seth Grove Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
-
North Catholic’s Jack Steineman places fifth in the boys 2A 3200-meter run with a time of 9:21.23 on Day 2 of the PIAA Track and Field Championships on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at Shippensburg University's Seth Grove Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
North Catholic’s Jack Steineman places fifth in the boys 2A 3200-meter run with a time of 9:21.23 on Day 2 of the PIAA Track and Field Championships on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at Shippensburg University's Seth Grove Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
North Catholic’s Jack Steineman places fifth in the boys 2A 3200-meter run with a time of 9:21.23 on Day 2 of the PIAA Track and Field Championships on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at Shippensburg University's Seth Grove Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
North Catholic’s Jack Steineman places fifth in the boys 2A 3200-meter run with a time of 9:21.23 on Day 2 of the PIAA Track and Field Championships on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at Shippensburg University's Seth Grove Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
North Catholic’s Jack Steineman places fifth in the boys 2A 3200-meter run with a time of 9:21.23 on Day 2 of the PIAA Track and Field Championships on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at Shippensburg University's Seth Grove Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
North Catholic’s Jack Steineman places fifth in the boys 2A 3200-meter run with a time of 9:21.23 on Day 2 of the PIAA Track and Field Championships on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at Shippensburg University's Seth Grove Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
North Catholic’s Jack Steineman places fifth in the boys 2A 3200-meter run with a time of 9:21.23 on Day 2 of the PIAA Track and Field Championships on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at Shippensburg University's Seth Grove Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
North Catholic’s Jack Steineman places fifth in the boys 2A 3200-meter run with a time of 9:21.23 on Day 2 of the PIAA Track and Field Championships on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at Shippensburg University's Seth Grove Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
North Catholic’s Jack Steineman places fifth in the boys 2A 3200-meter run with a time of 9:21.23 on Day 2 of the PIAA Track and Field Championships on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at Shippensburg University's Seth Grove Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
North Catholic’s Tyler Carroll runs in the boys 2A 3200-meter run on Day 2 of the PIAA Track and Field Championships on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at Shippensburg University's Seth Grove Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
North Catholic’s Tyler Carroll runs in the boys 2A 3200-meter run on Day 2 of the PIAA Track and Field Championships on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at Shippensburg University's Seth Grove Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
North Catholic’s Tyler Carroll runs in the boys 2A 3200-meter run on Day 2 of the PIAA Track and Field Championships on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at Shippensburg University's Seth Grove Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
North Catholic’s Jack Steineman places fifth in the boys 2A 3200-meter run with a time of 9:21.23 on Day 2 of the PIAA Track and Field Championships on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at Shippensburg University's Seth Grove Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
North Catholic’s Jack Steineman places fifth in the boys 2A 3200-meter run with a time of 9:21.23 on Day 2 of the PIAA Track and Field Championships on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at Shippensburg University's Seth Grove Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
North Catholic’s Jack Steineman places fifth in the boys 2A 3200-meter run with a time of 9:21.23 on Day 2 of the PIAA Track and Field Championships on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at Shippensburg University's Seth Grove Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
North Catholic’s Jack Steineman places fifth in the boys 2A 3200-meter run with a time of 9:21.23 on Day 2 of the PIAA Track and Field Championships on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at Shippensburg University's Seth Grove Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
North Catholic’s Tyler Carroll runs in the boys 2A 3200-meter run on Day 2 of the PIAA Track and Field Championships on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at Shippensburg University's Seth Grove Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
North Catholic’s Tyler Carroll, left, places his hands on Jack Steinman’s back after the boys 2A 3200-meter run on Day 2 of the PIAA Track and Field Championships on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at Shippensburg University's Seth Grove Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
North Catholic’s Audra Lazzara places sixth in the girls 2A 100-meter hurdles on Day 2 of the PIAA Track and Field Championships on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at Shippensburg University's Seth Grove Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
North Catholic’s Audra Lazzara places sixth in the girls 2A 100-meter hurdles on Day 2 of the PIAA Track and Field Championships on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at Shippensburg University's Seth Grove Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
North Catholic’s Audra Lazzara places sixth in the girls 2A 100-meter hurdles on Day 2 of the PIAA Track and Field Championships on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at Shippensburg University's Seth Grove Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
Freeport’s Mackenzie Magness places second with a height of 12-0 in the girls 2A pole vault on Day 2 of the PIAA Track and Field Championships on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at Shippensburg University's Seth Grove Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
Freeport’s Mackenzie Magness places second with a height of 12-0 in the girls 2A pole vault on Day 2 of the PIAA Track and Field Championships on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at Shippensburg University's Seth Grove Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
Freeport’s Mackenzie Magness places second with a height of 12-0 in the girls 2A pole vault on Day 2 of the PIAA Track and Field Championships on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at Shippensburg University's Seth Grove Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
Freeport’s Mackenzie Magness places second with a height of 12-0 in the girls 2A pole vault on Day 2 of the PIAA Track and Field Championships on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at Shippensburg University's Seth Grove Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
View and purchase Eagle photos at photos.butlereagle.com
