Jaden McCray is ready to launch himself back into the spotlight. The Apollo-Ridge senior dominated the javelin at the Pine-Richland Invitational on May 1, hurling a personal-best 174 feet, 10 inches—a full 10 feet ahead of the competition. That performance set the stage for him to defend his WPIAL Class 2A title this Thursday at Slippery Rock University.
"I'm feeling good and ready to go," said McCray, who enters as the No. 1 seed. "I'm still looking to hit another big PR and defend my title."
McCray's confidence is well-earned. Last year, he won the WPIAL crown with a throw of 164-0, but he wasn't satisfied. "I wasn't as happy as I thought I would be because I knew I had more in me," he admitted. At the state meet, he finished ninth with a 164-10, fueling his drive for redemption. "The goal is to win WPIALs again and then place higher at states and get a medal."
The WPIAL originally scheduled the championships for Wednesday, but a rainy forecast prompted a move to Thursday. The weather is expected to be dry, if cool, with highs in the low 50s—ideal conditions for McCray to unleash his best. "At Pine-Richland, we were on grass and it was wet, so I knew I could do more on a runway," he explained. "I'm excited to get on the runway at Slippery Rock and see how much further I can throw. It will be dry, too, so I know I will be able to get a little more speed."
McCray isn't just a one-event star. He'll also compete in the shot put as the No. 15 seed (43-11.25), showing his versatility on the track.
He's not the only Alle-Kiski Valley athlete with championship aspirations. Freeport junior Mackenzie Magness returns to defend her Class 2A pole vault title after a stellar 2024 season. Last year, she won four WPIAL medals, including gold in the vault (12-4), plus a fifth in the long jump, a seventh in the triple jump, and a fifth in the 1,600-meter relay. Her season-best of 12-7 makes her the top seed once again.
Fox Chapel senior Claire Conti is also back to defend her Class 3A discus title, adding to the local star power at Slippery Rock.
For Class 2A athletes, a top-five finish earns an automatic berth to the PIAA meet on May 22-23 at Shippensburg University. Class 3A competitors need a top-four finish. Others finishing in the top eight who meet the state qualifying standard will also punch their tickets.
With the weather cooperating and athletes like McCray, Magness, and Conti ready to shine, Thursday's rescheduled WPIAL track championship promises to be a memorable day for the Alle-Kiski Valley.