Here is a look at the champions of the PIAA Class AAA Track and Field Championships:
100 -- Julius Rivera, Gateway, 10.74
The senior Rivera ended his high school career in style, finishing nearly a tenth of a second ahead of the field to take state gold. District 3 athletes were also in the mix, with Daniel Boone's Xavier Smith taking third in 10.83 and Wilson's Jimmy Brooks taking fourth in 10.89.
200 -- Malik Jones, Ridley, 22.49
Jones didn't perform up to his standards, considering he blasted off for a time of 21.82 in the semifinals, but he did outperform the field, finishing a quarter-second in front of runner-up Qhyle Elijah of Bensalem. Northern Lebanon's Joe Vedilago snagged the eighth and final position in the race and made the most of his opportunity, taking third in the race with his time of 22.79. Vedilago said, "It feels amazing. I mean I came as the eighth-seed and I ended up third in the state."
400 -- Jimmy Brooks, Wilson, 47.81
Brooks, a senior, made District 3 proud, dropping nearly two seconds off his semifinals time to edge Bensalem's Qhyle Elijah (47.99) and blow away the rest of the field.
800 -- Zach Brehm, Carlisle, 1:54.40
Brehm, one of just two sophomores in the finals field, burst ahead to state gold after the No. 1 seed, Cumberland Valley's Alec Kunzweiler, appeared to make contact with another runner and take a spill. Kunzweiler took 12th while teammate Alex Coburn took fifth in 1:58.61.
1,600 -- Jack Huemmler, Strath Haven, 4:16.25
Huemmler, a senior, took the state title by the narrowest of marging, finishing just in front of La Salle's Tom Coyle (4:16.62). District 3 representative Harrison Schettler of Penn Manor finished eighth in 4:24.88.
3,200 -- Ethan Martin, Fox Chapel, 9:10.74
Martin proved himself to be the best long-distance runner in the state. The bad news for the rest of the state is that Martin is just a junior. Big Spring's Vinny Todaro finished just short of his bid for a state title, taking third in 9:12.02.
4x100 -- Gateway, 41.65
Gateway entered states as the No. 1 seed and didn't let down, dominating the field by a half-second. Harrisburg's relay squad ended its season on a positive note, taking fifth in 43.14.
4x400 -- Bensalem, 3:19.73
Bensalem edged runner-up Pennridge (3:19.80) by the smallest of margins to take state gold. District 3 was represented by medalists Wilson (third, 3:20.62) and Central Dauphin (eighth, 3:27).
4x800 -- Bensalem, 7:47.82
Bensalem turned in a solid victory over the field, besting defending champion Cumberland Valley by nearly six seconds. The Eagles took second in 7:53.51 while District 3 schools Red Lion (7:59.40) and Carlisle (8:01.07) took fifth and eighth, respectively. State College, a member of the Mid-Penn representing District 6, took seventh in 7:59.64.
110 hurdles -- Wellington Zaza, Garnet Valley, 13.66
Zaza collected one of his three gold medals by being the only high-hurdler in the state, AA or AAA, to finish the race under 14 seconds. Conestoga Valley's Chance Post represented District 3 with a sixth-place finish in 14.55.
300 hurdles -- Wellington Zaza, Garnet Valley, 37.24
Once again, Zaza proved himself to be one Pennsylvania's best performers at the PIAA meet, exploding to a one-second victory over Chambersburg's Kellen Williams (38.36). It wasn't a bad way to end a career for Williams, who said he ran the 300 hurdles in 44 seconds when he first started. Williams is included in a roundup of medalists that can be found here.
Long Jump -- Nolan Hay, Parkland, 24-2
Hay leapt nearly a full foot in front of his seed jump (23-4.25) and the field to turn in a dominating state title performance. Milton Hershey's Ibn Short was seeded 17th, but came through with a sixth-place finish thanks to a leap of 22-7.5.
Triple Jump -- Wellington Zaza, Garnet Valley, 49-10.25
Zaza popped a monster hop, skip and leap to best his seed by more than a foot and beat the field by more than two feet. Zaza's jump was just under seven inches off the PIAA record of 50-5, established by Methacton's Carlton Lavong in 2010. York Tech's Ronald Henderson represented District 3 with a fifth-place finish, leaping a 46-0.
High Jump -- Donovan Clay, Stroudsburg, 6-6
All of the top six finishers recorded a height of 6-6, but Clay won on attempts. Defending state champion Ibn Short of Milton Hershey took sixth (6-6) and fellow District 3 competitor Tyree Ballenger of McCaskey took fifth (6-6).
Pole Vault -- Vincent Esposito, North Penn, 15-0
Esposito ended his senior career with a surprise victory in the pole vault. Northern Lebanon's Derek DiAngelis posted a surprising finish of his own, taking second after reaching a personal-best height of 15-0. Esposito defeated DiAngelis on attempts. The No. 1 seed, Palmyra's Tim Moses, tied for third with his height of 14-6. A feature on Lebanon pole vaulters competing at states can be found HERE.
Shot Put -- Luke Persichetti, La Salle, 57-0.5
Persichetti finished off his senior season with a solid victory in the shot put. He bested Gateway's Anthony Bauccio by nearly a foot.
Javelin -- Cole Proffitt, Manheim Central, 201-0
Proffitt unleashed a monster throw over 200 feet to best the competition by over 11 feet. District 3 was represented by two other medalists in Cocalico's Jhett Janis (179-6) and Shippensburg's Taylor Carey (177-0).
Discus -- Bryan Pearson, Bangor Area, 174-9
Pearson beat his seed throw by nearly three feet to win state gold over a field that included District 3 representatives Tanner Unger of Hempfield (2nd, 168-2) and Morgan Shigo of Fleetwood (5th, 162-1).
CLICK HERE FOR A PHOTO GALLERY OF DAY 2 OF THE PIAA TRACK AND FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS
Complete PIAA track and field coverage:
Boys': » AAA News | » AAA Results | » AAA Seeds
Boys': » AA News | » AA Results | » AA Seeds
Girls': » AAA News | » AAA Results | » AAA Seeds
Girls': » AA News | » AA Results | » AA Seeds
10 years later: » Thomas Jordan's epic javelin exploits
Javelin champs: » PIAA | » District 3
PIAA preview: » Jumps | » Throws | » Relays | » Sprints and distance runs
» Which event is the best for midstate athletes?
» Event schedule: PIAA track and field championships
» Latest breaking news from PIAA championships
SANDRIK ON TWITTER: @AndySandrik