May 24, 2026 By Jonathan Guth 4 min read

SHIPPENSBURG — Running has grown on Southmoreland’s Megan Mehall over the years, but Geibel Catholic’s Emma Larkin is not ready to name it as her favorite activity.

Regardless of their feelings, the senior duo can share that they want to win, are still solid players at the sport they first fell in love with and returned home with some hardware after competing in their final PIAA Individual Track & Field Championships.

Mehall, who placed fourth in the 1,600-meter run in girls Class 2A competition on Friday, turned on the jets the last 50 meters to finish second in the 800 on Saturday at Shippensburg University’s Seth Grove Stadium.

Larkin battled to finish third in the 300-meter hurdles in girls Class 2A.

Larkin and Mehall both took up track & field to improve their conditioning for their favorite sports, which was (is) basketball for Larkin and soccer for Mehall.

Although Larkin has hinted at possibly competing in track & field at Belmont Abbey College, basketball is still her game, and she will spend the summer before her freshman season preparing to compete at the next level in hoops.

Mehall will also train for her collegiate career, but it won’t be in soccer, as she is a West Virginia University track & field commit.

Mehall’s race in the 800 mirrored her effort in the 1,600, as she jumped nine places from the first to second lap.

The future Mountaineer was 11th after the first 400 with a time of 1:08.10. She ran 1:07.15 on the bell lap and passed Southern Fulton’s Julia Madison down the last straightaway to finish in 2:15.24. Madison clocked in at 2:15.43.

AnnaSophia Viccari of West Middlesex won the race in 2:12.95. The senior from District 10 was fourth after the first lap in 1:07.04, but put on a strong final lap in 1:05.91 to pull away from the field.

Mehall knew Viccari had taken control of the race, but she was pleased to be able to finish as runner-up. Mehall also broke her PR (personal record) in the race.

“I felt pretty awful the whole race, I’m not going to lie, but once I got to the last 100, I felt like I had a little bit left,” Mehall said. “I was like, ‘I’m here for a reason,’ and I just gave it everything I had. The only thing I would have asked for was better weather, but I was still able to PR.”

Larkin held off Susquenita’s Claire Wechsler for the bronze medal in a time of 45.76. Wechsler finished in 45.92.

Wyomissing Area’s Lily Paolini won the race in 43.62 and Hughesville’s Kylie Temple, the defending champion in the event, was second in 43.66.

“There is nothing for me to be mad about,” Larkin said. “I think that I can look back at my career and be really happy about it.”

Larkin, who was seventh in the 400 and 300 hurdles at last year’s state meet, qualified for the 400 this season, but finished just outside of advancing to the finals with a ninth-place showing in the preliminaries with a time of 58.18.

Larkin didn’t have much time to rest between the 400 and 300 hurdles last year due to the obligation of receiving her medal and standing on the podium, but believed the extra time helped her rest for Saturday’s final.

“The weather really affected me, so the extra time in only racing once today definitely helped,” Larkin said. “Even though I didn’t make the 400 finals, I ran a better 400 time than I did last year.”

Belle Vernon’s Ryan Kent placed third in the discus with a throw of 170-9, which came on his first attempt. Kent placed fifth in the shot put on Friday with a throw of 56-10.25.

Avon Grove’s Grayson Pitman won the discus with a national honor roll throw of 187-11. Grove City’s DeLathian Boanes was second in 172-4.

Kent, a senior who will continue his academic and throwing careers at Shippensburg University, was pleased with the opportunity to compete at his future college facilities.

“A medal from states is always good,” Kent said. “To say you finished third and fifth in the state is pretty cool. It’s also cool to do it at my future facilities. High school ends and now it’s time to start college and this (Shippensburg) is my home now.”

Laurel Highlands’ Diondra Brown finished 14th in the high jump (17-4.50) and 21st in the 200 with a time of 25.97. Brown, a senior, will continue her academic and track & field careers at Seton Hill University.

The Mustangs’ Grant Brambley was 17th in the boys Class 3A javelin with a best throw of 165-9.