In addition to standing at the top of the podium, Warren junior Lilly Newton and sophomore Max Spiegel both punched their tickets to the PIAA Championships by winning their respective high jump events, and Newton joined junior teammates Morgan Alexander and Riley Evan and sophomore Brynn Norris to win the girls’ 4×800-meter relay.

“I’m extremely proud of how we competed today,” said Warren coach Kevin Dustin. “(We are) taking a great group to the state championships next week, which was a huge goal for us. A lot of people ended with season- or lifetime-bests in their events and walked away from the meet with a medal. It was nice to see the award stand with Warren up there and hear them getting announced. Everyone that competed should be very proud of their efforts. It’s been a great season and being at the state meet is always the best way to end it.”

In addition to undefeated region titles for both Warren’s boys’ and girls’ teams, five Dragons will compete later this week at the PIAA 3A Championships at Seth Grove Stadium at Shippensburg University.

Newton has qualified for states for the third straight season in three different events. After qualifying in Class 2A in the 400 meters as a freshman and with Warren’s 4×100 relay as a sophomore, she left the 3A meet on Saturday as the girls’ high jump champion.

Photo submitted From left: Warren teammates Riley Evans, Lilly Newton, Morgan Alexander, and Brynn Norris won the D10 3A 4x800 relay title on Saturday

In 3A, only the D10 champ automatically qualifies for the PIAA meet, and Newton — after tying her school high-jump record at 5-foot-5 earlier this year — won on Saturday at 5-1.

“To calm my nerves, I definitely sought for help in my teammates,” said Newton. “They helped me feel confident in myself, especially after winning the (4×800 relay). After a couple rough practices throughout the week, confidence was definitely the boost I needed. I have been looking forward to the D10 championships for the entire season. I definitely felt the pressure as I have gone to states the last two years. This year, however, showed me that I can have new goals in sight. I never expected to be closer to beating a record than I am now. Can’t wait for next year!”

This time, Newton’s winning relay includes Alexander, Evan, and Norris. They, like Newton in high jump, came in as the top seed and defeated McDowell by just over a second in a “PR” time of 9 minutes, 58.73 seconds.

Adding to their pedigree, Newton and Norris have also won a D10 team title in volleyball. Alexander and Evan have advanced to states with their cross country team two straight years, and Alexander qualified individually in cross country as a freshman.

“This new trip to states meant everything and more,” said Alexander, who also finished second on Saturday in the girls’ 3,200. “We told Coach Kevin in the beginning of the season about how badly we wanted a states trip this year and since then, he has pushed us everyday to achieve this goal. He believed we could. After countless workouts and encouragement, we were finally able to get on that line and put everything we had to give out there. That race, we ran for ourselves, each other, and our coaches. We are very proud and grateful to be given this opportunity to compete at states; it is something we do not take lightly.”

Photo submitted Warren’s Lilly Newton won a D10 3A high jump championship on Saturday at Slippery Rock University.

Spiegel had a sharper ascent, winning a D10 title in high jump in his first year of high school track. The 6-foot-6 sophomore basketball player won by four inches with a 6-1 jump on Saturday. He was the top seed after a season-best 6-4 jump to qualify.

“I came to do track to stay in shape for basketball, but I’ve really fallen in love with the sport and plan on finishing out high school competing,” said Spiegel. “I’d say I still haven’t fully picked up the high jump event. I still have so much to learn and master for next season.”

Though no more state qualifiers, the Dragons brought home over 30 medals.

Other medalists for the Lady Dragons:

Madelyn Nosel, fourth in the 100 in 13.25 seconds and fourth in 200 at 27.11

Photo submitted Warren’s Max Spiegel won a D10 3A high jump championship on Saturday at Slippery Rock University.

Emma Peterson, sixth in the 1,600 at 5:35.52 and fifth in 3,200 in 12:23.90

Evan, also eighth in 1,600 at 5:41.24 and eighth in 3,200 at 12:35.81

Newton, also fourth in 400 at 1:03.18

Adison Cullers, fifth in the 300 low hurdles at 51.33

Norris, also third in 800 at 2:33.16

Alexander, also second in 3,200 at 11:42.58

4×400 relay team of Nosel, Newton, Cullers, and Michaela Dolan, fourth in 4:26.89

Gracie Page, tied for seventh in pole vault at 8-6

Lindsay Madigan, fifth in triple jump at 33-6.6 and sixth in long jump at 16-6.5

Zoe Rodgers, fourth in discus at 97-4

Brady Caudill, sixth in discus at 91-4

For Warren’s other boys:

Adon Maier, fifth in 110 high hurdles in 17.4

Scott Nichols II, sixth in 110 hurdles in 18.03

Leyton Salvatore, fifth at pole vault at 11-3, seventh in the 1,600 in 4:39.03 and eighth in 800 at 2:06.09

4×100 relay of Kahle Kuzminski, Chase Sitler, Tommaso Clemente, and Nichols II, fourth in 46.2

Cameron Williams, eighth in 300 low hurdles in 45.62

Sam Lindell, third in 3,200 in 9:34.37

4×400 relay of Kuzminski, Sitler, Quinn Norris, and Salvatore, fourth in 3:42.72

Cole Fitzgerald, fourth in pole vault at 11-3