2024: Area athletes made fans proud

Sentinel photo by MIKE GOSS Mifflin County's state cross country 3A champion Carter Smith with his medal on the podium.
Reminiscing about local sports achievements
LEWISTOWN — As we celebrate another successful sports year, local fans can reflect on the memorable achievements and record-breaking performers associated with several high school athletic programs.
Area athletes didn’t just run towards challenges, they demolished them at what seemed like a fast pace. 2024 brought state champions to the forefront and highlight-reel plays.
Let’s take a look back at some of the year’s top sports moments, in no particular order, before we dive into 2025, which will certainly need to bring its A game after what we witnessed the past 12 months.
Happy New Year to all our Sentinel readers.
Carter can’t be stopped
Carter Smith redefined the word “excellence” in 2024. The Mifflin County Husky was named Pennsylvania’s Track & Field Boy Athlete of the Year. Smith earned state gold in cross country and in the indoor track season. In the indoor season last winter, Smith captured the 800-meter title at the PTFCA Indoor State Championships. Smith placed ninth in the state track meet back in the spring during the 1600 (4:11.55). During the District 6 meet in the spring, Smith was first in the 1600 at 4:16.15.
Smith also helped Mifflin County win the Big Valley Invite for the first time in seven years. Smith ran the 5K course in 15:30, claiming first place. Smith’s victory marked a milestone for the Huskies. He became only the third BVI champion in school history and the first 3A winner since Brayden Harris in 2017. Smith joined Jon Colwell (2012) as the second Husky to claim the overall BVI title.
Back to State
Juniata went 25-3 during another strong softball season. The Indians also won three games in the state playoffs en route to the state championship game in State College. Liz Gaisior was stellar throughout the season and was even named the PIAA Overall Pitcher of the Year and the 3A Pitcher of the Year. Juniata also won its first 14 games to open the 2024 campaign.
Smith surges ahead
Midd-West’s Matthew Smith earned a state medal in wrestling. Smith, who has committed to Clarion University, went 43-7 last season and placed fourth in the state meet. Smith defeated Burrell’s Cooper Hornack by a 4-3 decision in the championship quarterfinals. He also earned gold in the district and regional meet for Midd-West.
Make it five!
Juniata’s football team won its fifth straight District 6 Class 4A Championship after beating Bellefonte in Altoona’s Mansion Park, 20-6. Juniata’s Lane Peiper had 99 yards rushing and Ayden Dowling added 97 yards on the ground during the district title game. The Indians ended the year at 9-4 and handed Shamokin their only loss of the season with a 27-7 upset in the first round of the state playoffs.
Good for Gold
East Juniata’s Josef Book and Midd-West’s Camryn Pyle collected gold medals at the state track meet in Shippensburg back in May. Pyle won the 300-meter hurdles in 43.89 seconds. Book won the 110-meter hurdles in 14.34 seconds. Mustangs Ben Hummel, Anden Aitkens, Connor Stoltzfus and Wyatt Nelson ran a 7:54.27 to place first in the 4×800 relay.
Sweet Revenge
Juniata boys soccer topped Penn Cambria for the District 6 Class 2A title this past fall, 3-0. After losing to the Panthers in the 2022 district title contest, Juniata got its revenge this year as Anthony Maradiaga scored two goals and Ricky Guante added one in the D6 final. Juniata ended the season at 17-7 and made the first round of the state postseason.
Farewell Mitchell Field
For local sports fans who grew up with Mitchell Field, it was difficult seeing the athletic venue come to a close. However, it was good seeing the community come together and reminisce about the good ole days.
“Whether you were a fan of the Lewistown Panthers, Chief Logan Mingoes, Kish Indians, Penn Highlands Cougars, Indian Valley Warriors, or the Mifflin County Huskies, the excitement of Friday night lights at Mitchell Field was always a treasured experience,” Kevin Kodish wrote in a fall column.
Mifflin County’s final home football game at Mitchell Field was on Oct. 25 — a 21-18 victory over Red Land.