Photo finish: PT’s Froelich edges Zeng for state title
Jonathan Guth
NEWVILLE – Katie Froelich and Angela Zeng are so close when they compete against each other at meets that the duo has developed more of a friendship than a rivalry.
Froelich, a sophomore at Peters Township who didn’t compete in cross country last season, earned her first WPIAL cross country championship at White Oak Park on Oct. 29 in a time of 16:38, which was the 11th fastest finish by a girl in the country this year. Zeng, a junior at South Fayette who won district gold in Class 3A last year, was second to Froelich in 17:29.2.
Froelich came into Saturday’s PIAA Class 3A Championships race at Big Spring High School as the heavy favorite, and she proved the prognosticators correctly, but Zeng made sure Froelich worked for it, as the two were stride-for-stride down the final straightaway to the finish line before Froelich leaned forward to break the tape in 17:33. The results posted had Zeng crossing the finish line at the same time, but Froelich was several tenths-of-a-second ahead.
“I was sick all last week, so I felt really bad getting out,” Froelich said. “I definitely could feel the burn, but I was able to push through.”
Zeng, who was competing in her third state meet, was sixth last year and 28th as a freshman. She had the lead at the halfway point (2.5 kilometers) with Froelich right with her prior to falling into second position at the two-mile mark.
Williamsport senior Isabelle Sanders led at the one-mile mark in 5:35. Froelich and Zeng were right with Sanders at the same split.
“I wanted to go out, relax and have fun,” Zeng said. “We are competing with some of the best runners in the nation, so I think as long as I give my best effort, whatever result I get will be a good day for me.”
Froelich held off Zeng to win the 1,600-meter run in track and field this past spring. Froelich earned double gold with a victory in the 3,200. Zeng was third in the event.
Despite racing so close in each meet, the two work with each other, as Froelich lauded Zeng for keeping her going through the tough parts of the race.
“Angela was the reason I was able to stick it out to the end,” Froelich said. “Ever since track and cross country, we have really built a friendship. We are always cooling down together and just talking about regular life. We are just good friends.”
The duo will turn their attention to the indoor track season to gear up for what both expect to be an exciting year in outdoor track.
The championships were held for the first time at Big Spring High School, which pleased Zeng, who had competed at the daunting course at Hersheypark her first two seasons.
Fort Cherry junior Lydia Frankovich started running with her sister, Emily, who graduated from high school in 2025. Lydia, who qualified for the state meet last year, is excited to show off her state medal to Emily after placing 21st in the girls Class A race in a time of 20:16.
“Emily and I started running together when she was in 10th grade and I was in seventh,” Lydia Frankovich said. “We decided to go out for cross country and I hated it. I quit and didn’t go out for the team in eighth grade, but while she was doing amazing in 11th grade, I missed running and started running recreationally, and then I started to compete again.
“I think my start was strong. We got a little boxed in around the first flag. … I think my first mile was really strong. I fell off a little bit, but I’m proud of placing for the first time at the state meet.”
Frankovich would like to join her sister as a collegiate runner when she is finished with high school. Frankovich hasn’t competed in many indoor track meets, but she will stay active to prepare for the outdoor season.
“I don’t do any other sports at school other than running, but I do help out with bocce, which is really great and rewarding,” Frankovich said.
Griffin Martin made sure he saved his best race for his last as the South Fayette senior passed 11 runners in the final kilometer to finish 23rd and earn a medal in the Class 3A boys race.
Martin, who is a three-time state qualifier, crossed the finish line in 15:57, and after leaving the chute, he took a rest before hopping up once he found out he had placed.
“This (placing in the state meet) has been a goal of mine for four years,” Martin said. “It is a great feeling to finally cross this off the list and add it to the medal rack. I knew I was around 30 and I just started to kick it in down the stretch and I was flying. I almost felt like I was floating. I worked on strides this week in practice, and I think that really benefited me in my finish.”
Martin is unsure if he will compete in the regional championships in several weeks, but he plans to run in college and looks forward to indoor and outdoor track seasons.
West Greene’s Joel Grimes was one place from reaching the medal stand. The sophomore finished the Class A boys race 26th overall in 16:47.