CALIFORNIA, Pa. — CJ Singleton wasn't feeling his best, but the first-place medal he received Thursday afternoon felt just right.

Singleton, a Butler High senior, captured the WPIAL Class 3A boys cross country individual title with a time of 16 minutes, 26.3 seconds at California (Pa.) University.

The effort successfully defended his district title from a year ago.

“CJ has been dealing with a sinus infection,” said Butler coach Rick Davanzati, “but he was the favorite coming in and he performed in an outstanding way.”

Singleton had a strategy in mind prior to the race, but he soon realized it wasn't going to play out as he had planned.

“I took the lead about 100 meters in,” he said. “I was hoping someone else would try to push the pace and take the lead, but they didn't. I basically had to go wire to wire.”

Which was easier said than done, even for an elite runner like Singleton, a University of Notre Dame commit.

“I'm still on meds and am not 100 percent,” he said. “I was feeling it in my legs today.”

Singleton's effort spearheaded a great day for Butler's boys team, which qualified for next Saturday's state meet in Hershey by coming in second place behind North Allegheny.

The Tigers scored 51 points to Butler's 86.

Golden Tornado sophomore Drew Griffith placed second, six seconds behind Singleton, and senior Sage Vavro was eighth at 17:06.7.

Rounding out Butler's top five were Owen Dressler (30th, 18:14.5) and Ben Lyons (45th, 18:40.8).

Last year, Vavro was runner-up to Singleton.

“Sage has had a leg issue, has been doing half of his workouts on a stationary bike,” said Davanzati. “I still was looking forward to him having the kind of day that he did.”

Davanzati also said he believed Singleton and Griffith could finish 1-2.

At last week's Tri-State meet, also held at Cal U., Griffith won and Singleton was second.

“They've been placing 1-2 for us in almost every meet,” said Davanzati. “Drew was fantastic today.”

Griffith had high hopes for himself, saying “I wanted to stick with the top guys and contend for the top three. Getting to states, it's an awesome feeling.”

“I'm so happy for Drew,” added Singleton. “He's been working so hard.

“The course was tough. It always seems to be muddy and is super hilly. It was a battle, mentally and physically.”

Singleton is headed to the state meet for the fourth time. He made it his freshman year while running for St. Joseph Catholic School in Natrona Heights. He reached Hershey as a sophomore at Butler by placing fifth.

Butler placed runner-up as a team at WPIALs for the third straight year.

Seneca Valley just missed out on qualifying for states as a team, placing fourth, but senior Noah Petersen made it individually by placing fifth at 16:56.9.

Max Smith, a freshman, finished 32nd for the Raiders.

Class 2A — North Catholic will run at states after placing second to Hampton.

The Trojans finished with 120 points. The Talbots earned the district crown with 73 points.

North was led by sophomore Sam West, who placed 15th with a time of 18:10.5. He was followed by teammates Joe Harmanos (20th-18:17.4), Owen Schessler (27th-18:33.3), Giacomo Lepore (28th-18:37.0) and Ben Capozzi (30th-18:39.7).

Mars senior Greg Chernosky extended his season with a 19th-place finish, managing a time of 18:11.2.

Freeport was paced by senior Ben Perka, who placed 29th. Teammate Michael Braun was 31st.

Knoch's Elijah Ruediger placed 42nd.

Girls

Butler was eighth as a team and was sparked by senior Jen Cichra's time of 20:13.5, good for 16th place and a spot at states.

Aubree Tack placed 43rd for the Tornado.

Seneca Valley came in fourth as a team and will send senior Ruthie Hughes to Hershey. She was 17th with a time of 20:13.9.

SV also featured Karsyn Spears (38th) and Grace Graner (39th).

Mars' Grace Wu was 42nd.

Class 2A — North Catholic will be sending two girls to Hershey, Grace Lazzara and Alaina Hicks, who placed eighth and 16th, respectively, with times of 20:57.4 and 21:47.5.

The Trojanettes' Julia Zalenski was 26th, helping North place fourth in the team standings.

Knoch sophomore Emma Haugh will run at states thanks to a 19th-place effort of 21:56.7. Her teammates, Yumiko Kuo and Jocelyn Holko, finished 31st and 42nd, respectively.