Best of Sports, Boys Cross Country: Ryan Pajak, Ringgold

Prior to finishing his career in high school cross country, Ryan Pajak had already committed to the University of Notre Dame, but the Ringgold senior wanted to leave his mark on the sport before heading to South Bend, Ind.

Pajak had been one of the best runners in the state but a gold medal at the state meet still eluded him.

Pajak took control of the Class 2A championship race at the halfway point and never looked back, setting a course record of 15:21. He defeated future Notre Dame teammate Colin Whitaker of Lempeter-Strasburg by 16 seconds.

Pajak had the fastest time in all the races that were contested for the state title, including edging another soon-to-be Fighting Irish runner, Butler's Drew Griffith, who won the Class 3A race in 15:23.

Pajak had a pace of 4:57 per mile and Griffith averaged 4:58 per mile.

The Ringgold senior didn't rest on his laurels after winning his first state championship in his last opportunity. Pajak won the Foot Locker Cross Country Northeast Regional at Franklin Park in Boston over Thanksgiving weekend to qualify for the national finals at Balboa Park in San Diego. Pajak covered the 5K course in 14:51 and Griffith came in three seconds later.

Griffith got the better of Pajak in the national finals, as he won the race in 15:06.9. Pajak finished second in 15:12.1 for a 1-2 finish for the WPIAL.

The duo made their move to the front of the pack between the second- and third-mile marks. Griffith was in fifth place after two miles while Pajak was settled in the eighth position. They had the lead at the three-mile mark.

Eliho Dale, senior, McGuffey

Caleb Guarino, junior, Upper St. Clair

Alaa-Eddine Guetari, senior, South Fayette

Andrew Hess, senior, Upper St. Clair

Robert Tang, senior, Mt. Lebanon

Ethan Warner, senior, Mt. Lebanon

Sawyer Weinmann, senior, Upper St. Clair

Eric Wilson, senior, Chartiers Valley