PIAA track and field: Seneca Valley’s Everly throws career best in wheelchair shot put

May 22, 2026 Last Updated: May 22, 2026 02:35 PM Sports

Seneca Valley’s Mitchell Everly, seen here earlier this season, set a new PR in the shot put Friday at the PIAA Track and Field Championships. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

Rob McGraw

SHIPPENSBURG — Mitchell Everly was in for a surprise when he showed up to compete in the boys wheelchair shot put event Friday at the PIAA Track and Field Championships.

All season long, the freshman had been throwing a 12-pound shot, the weight used in regulation shot put events.

At states he learned the correct weight for wheelchair competitors is 8 pounds.

“It was a mishap, but nobody told us the whole season until now,” SV throwing coach Anastasia Williams said.

“It definitely felt lighter, but I didn’t have much time to practice with it,” Everly said. “It was a weird experience.”

His best throw Friday was 16 feet, 1.5 inches — 9 inches better than what he threw last week at WPIALs with a 12-pounder and a new personal best.

As the only entrant in the event, Everly was recognized as a state champion. But he has his eye on bigger achievements.

“My goal is to break the state record (21-4.5 by Upper Perkiomen’s Micah Keller in 2025). ”A friend of mine was involved in the wheelchair track events, and he urged me to get involved. I knew I wanted to try the shot put.“

Williams believes Everly can make an impact with other potential wheelchair athletes.

“It can be a good thing for them, show them that there is a way for them to compete and be successful,” she said. “I’m already proud of him. He is his biggest competition, but it would help if there are more competitors.”

Everly will compete in three wheelchair events Saturday — the 100- and 400-meter races and discus.

North Catholic’s Tyler Carroll ran in the boys 2A 1600-meter finals race on Day 1 of the PIAA Track and Field Championships on Friday, May 22, 2026, at Shippensburg University's Seth Grove Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

Rob McGraw

North Catholic’s Jack Steineman ran in the boys 2A 1600-meter finals race on Day 1 of the PIAA Track and Field Championships on Friday, May 22, 2026, at Shippensburg University's Seth Grove Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

Rob McGraw

Mars’ Colton Rearick ran in the boys 3A 1600-meter finals race on Day 1 of the PIAA Track and Field Championships on Friday, May 22, 2026, at Shippensburg University's Seth Grove Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

Rob McGraw

Butler’s Brendan Eicher ran in the boys 3A 1600-meter finals race on Day 1 of the PIAA Track and Field Championships on Friday, May 22, 2026, at Shippensburg University's Seth Grove Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

Rob McGraw

North Catholic’s Anna Lazzara places fifth with a time of 12.02 in the girls 100-meter dash preliminary race to qualify for finals on Day 1 of the PIAA Track and Field Championships on Friday, May 22, 2026, at Shippensburg University's Seth Grove Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

Rob McGraw

North Catholic’s Audra Lazzara places fifth with a time of 14.95 in the girls 100-meter hurdles preliminary race to qualify for finals on Day 1 of the PIAA Track and Field Championships on Friday, May 22, 2026, at Shippensburg University's Seth Grove Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

Rob McGraw

North Catholic’s Tyler Carroll ran in the boys 2A 1600-meter finals race on Day 1 of the PIAA Track and Field Championships on Friday, May 22, 2026, at Shippensburg University's Seth Grove Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

Rob McGraw
North Catholic’s Tyler Carroll ran in the boys 2A 1600-meter finals race on Day 1 of the PIAA Track and Field Championships on Friday, May 22, 2026, at Shippensburg University's Seth Grove Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

Rob McGraw
North Catholic’s Tyler Carroll ran in the boys 2A 1600-meter finals race on Day 1 of the PIAA Track and Field Championships on Friday, May 22, 2026, at Shippensburg University's Seth Grove Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

Rob McGraw
North Catholic’s Tyler Carroll ran in the boys 2A 1600-meter finals race on Day 1 of the PIAA Track and Field Championships on Friday, May 22, 2026, at Shippensburg University's Seth Grove Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

Rob McGraw
North Catholic’s Jack Steineman ran in the boys 2A 1600-meter finals race on Day 1 of the PIAA Track and Field Championships on Friday, May 22, 2026, at Shippensburg University's Seth Grove Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

Rob McGraw
North Catholic’s Jack Steineman ran in the boys 2A 1600-meter finals race on Day 1 of the PIAA Track and Field Championships on Friday, May 22, 2026, at Shippensburg University's Seth Grove Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

Rob McGraw
North Catholic’s Jack Steineman ran in the boys 2A 1600-meter finals race on Day 1 of the PIAA Track and Field Championships on Friday, May 22, 2026, at Shippensburg University's Seth Grove Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

Rob McGraw
North Catholic’s Jack Steineman ran in the boys 2A 1600-meter finals race on Day 1 of the PIAA Track and Field Championships on Friday, May 22, 2026, at Shippensburg University's Seth Grove Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

Rob McGraw
Mars’ Colton Rearick ran in the boys 3A 1600-meter finals race on Day 1 of the PIAA Track and Field Championships on Friday, May 22, 2026, at Shippensburg University's Seth Grove Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

Rob McGraw
Butler’s Brendan Eicher ran in the boys 3A 1600-meter finals race on Day 1 of the PIAA Track and Field Championships on Friday, May 22, 2026, at Shippensburg University's Seth Grove Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

Rob McGraw
Butler’s Brendan Eicher ran in the boys 3A 1600-meter finals race on Day 1 of the PIAA Track and Field Championships on Friday, May 22, 2026, at Shippensburg University's Seth Grove Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

Rob McGraw
Butler’s Brendan Eicher ran in the boys 3A 1600-meter finals race on Day 1 of the PIAA Track and Field Championships on Friday, May 22, 2026, at Shippensburg University's Seth Grove Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

Rob McGraw
North Catholic’s Anna Lazzara places fifth with a time of 12.02 in the girls 100-meter dash preliminary race to qualify for finals on Day 1 of the PIAA Track and Field Championships on Friday, May 22, 2026, at Shippensburg University's Seth Grove Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

Rob McGraw
North Catholic’s Anna Lazzara places fifth with a time of 12.02 in the girls 100-meter dash preliminary race to qualify for finals on Day 1 of the PIAA Track and Field Championships on Friday, May 22, 2026, at Shippensburg University's Seth Grove Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

Rob McGraw
North Catholic’s Audra Lazzara places fifth with a time of 14.95 in the girls 100-meter hurdles preliminary race to qualify for finals on Day 1 of the PIAA Track and Field Championships on Friday, May 22, 2026, at Shippensburg University's Seth Grove Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

Rob McGraw
North Catholic’s Audra Lazzara places fifth with a time of 14.95 in the girls 100-meter hurdles preliminary race to qualify for finals on Day 1 of the PIAA Track and Field Championships on Friday, May 22, 2026, at Shippensburg University's Seth Grove Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

Rob McGraw