Little Lions shine big, win state title

UNIVERSITY PARK — The PTFCA Indoor State Championship plaque was brought into State College prior to Feb. 4’s title meet.

It never had to leave town. 

The State College Little Lions boys’ squad captured Pennsylvania’s top high school prize over the weekend, topping the field with 43.5 points. The team put a commanding stamp on the day, rolling second-place finishers Central Dauphin East and Neshaminy by 14.5 points. 

From the moment the team entered Penn State’s Multi-Sport Facility, the team’s collective energy was a determined one, looking to bring home the school’s first boys indoor title.

“They wanted it pretty bad,” head coach Artie Gilkes said.

The Lions were led by a mark of 31.5 points from field events. Since the start of the season, the field crew has been winning events, waiting for the chance to turn their efforts into state gold. 

“We knew those were our key events, and those guys needed to pull through,” Gilkes said. 

Field standouts included 18 points from the triple jump, a 1-2 finish by seniors Stanley and Lance Hamilton. In his final indoor attempt, and sixth of the day, Stanley landed a 48-foot, 3.25-inch jump to seal the victory. Lance’s second-place finish came after a 48-foot, one-inch completion on his third go.

“When you can score 18 points in a single event, that makes you walk a little bit taller,” Gilkes said. 

The points continued to flow in the long jump finals, as Jake Hefkin saved his best leap for last, giving the Lions five points with a 22-foot, 4.5-inch jump on his sixth attempt. Lance Hamilton set his bar early, nailing a 22-foot, 2.25-inch completion on his first try of the day for two points.

A tandem of Lions scorers also came in the pole vault, as Luke Knipe and David Wasson put points on the board. Knipe’s season-long vaulting clinic climaxed with a successful 15-foot attempt, giving the team six points. Wasson’s 14-foot, six-inch finish added an extra half-point. 

On the track, 12 points were awarded to the Lions’ relays, with the 4×200, 4×400 and 4×800 teams all scoring. Zachary DeCarmine was part of all three relays, helping guide the Lions to top-seven finishes in the events.

Field crew members, such as Knipe in the 4×200 and Stanley Hamilton in the 4×400, were key contributors on relay squads, transitioning onto the track with ease. 

“These guys that (win) in a field event, they have that energy that they can bring to the track,” Gilkes said. “The transfer of positive energy from one event to another is a huge lift. The other track guys really feed off of that, especially in the relays.” 

The Lions’ season had hurdles and distractions from the start. From early injuries to tumultuous winter weather canceling meets, roadblocks continued to get in the team’s way. 

For Gilkes, running through each roadblock en route to the title speaks to the team’s togetherness.

“The love that they have for each other supersedes anything,” Gilkes said. 

This is the program’s first boys indoor title, as well as the first boys track title since the Lions’ outdoor championship in 2016.

Making history this season, the team is eager to make state gold a late February tradition. 

“I’m already thinking about the next one,” Gilkes said.