Baylee Sleek 3-peats as District 5 Class 2A high jump champion

Conemaugh Township's Braxtyn Sleek takes first place in the girls 300-meter hurdles at the District 5 Class 2A track and field championships, Wednesday, May 13, in Loysburg.

A season ago, Windber’s Pacey Oyler tied for first in the girls pole vault competition. This year, the sophomore vaulted 10 feet to claim gold, punching a ticket to Shippensburg.

“I wish I would have jumped 10-6, but this still feels pretty good to win it,” Oyler said. “I am hoping to clear 10-6 or 11 feet at states. I am very excited to go to states.”

Oyler’s senior sister, Mayson was a member of the victorious 3200-meter relay team alongside Rachel Russo, Autumn Walz and Sophia Weyant. All four girls will be making their first trip to the state championships.

Another Somerset County freshman dazzled in the 200-meter dash. Berlin Brothersvalley's Paige Weaver turned in a personal best 27.09, rolling to a win.

"This is insane," Weaver said. "I've been working at this since eighth grade, and it's nice to see my hard work has finally paid off. "I knew I had a good lead coming around the turn. It made me feel really good and I knew I had to push even harder. I'm looking to proving a freshman can really do anything at states. A lot of people in my school don't think that and I'm hoping to show that they can."

Weaver also finished second in the 100-meter dash.

On the boys side, Meyersdale senior Branson Hersh swept the hurdles, winning the 110- and 300-meter competitions.

“It is a pleasure to be going to states,” Hersh said. “When I finish 300 hurdles, I am in my flow state. I’m super happy I can just relax. “I like 300 (hurdles) most because I am getting better times and am ranked higher in the state. We are going to push hard for the 300 hurdles at states. Praise God, man.”

Meyersdale's Branson Hersh captures first place in the boys 300-meter hurdles at the District 5 Class 2A track and field championships, Wednesday, May 13, in Loysburg.

He also took second in the long jump.

Conemaugh Township sophomore Hudson Lease was victorious in the 1600- and 3200-meter run. A year ago, Lease was disqualified for making contact with a runner at the finish line, negating a gold in the 1600 and fell by less than a second in the 3200.

It was some sweet redemption for Lease this season.

Conemaugh Township's Hudson Lease, left, laps a runner ahead of the finish line to earn first in the 3200-meter run during the District 5 Class 2A track and field championships, Wednesday, May 13, in Loysburg.

"This feels really good," Lease said. "It is a great feeling. I've been working hard for it all offseason. This is what I've been aiming for. My mentality changed from last year. I knew these were going to be good races and I just had to put out my best. I am excited for the experience of states, especially if I want to go the next two years. I am also hoping to PR against some great competition."

The boys high jump and pole vault competitions were not completed due to a lightning delay that lasted more than an hour. Those events will wrap up, Friday, May 15. The Bedford boys and girls won the team titles.

The PIAA Track and Field Championships will be contested May 22-23 at Shippensburg University's Seth Grove Stadium.

Adam Ripple is the Daily American sports editor. He can be reached at 814-444-5926. Follow him on X @ARipple_DAsport. Follow Daily American Sports on Facebook and @dailyamericanmedia on Instagram.

This article originally appeared on The Daily American: Somerset County athletes advance to PIAA Track and Field Championships