at Shippensburg. He didn’t have any fellow Rams sprinters or distance runners with him. Nor were any field athletes there.

Althouse was the lone Penns Valley state qualifier this year at the state meet. But he showed up and represented the Rams well on the state’s grand stage and capped the year with a medal in the boys Class AA 100.

“It’s just awesome. It’s an awesome way to represent,” Althouse said. “I’m the only qualifier this year, so I’m just happy I medaled and can represent.”

Althouse ended his day with a sixth-place medal in the boys Class AA 100 thanks to running a time of 10.96, beating out Fort LeBoeuf’s KC Wasiulewski (11.05) and Hughesville’s Spencer Stine (11.16). The time of 10.96 also bested Althouse’s preliminary time of 11.00 on Friday afternoon.

CHRIS MANNING/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Penns Valley's Spencer Althouse runs in the boys Class AA 100 on Saturday at Shippensburg. Althouse took sixth to medal.

“Well, my goal was to get on the podium, get to the finals and get to that final race,” Althouse said. “I accomplished that and I’m very proud and happy.”

Althouse’s time on Saturday of 10.96 was behind only Bethlehem-Center’s Deakyn DeHoet (10.51), Palisades’ Lincoln Cook (10.87), Notre Dame-Green Pond’s Alex Clark (10.88), Quaker valley’s Kieran Cain (10.90) and Mercyhurst Prep’s Vincent Feliciano (10.96).

“With the weather, I’ll say I’m not satisfied, but I gave it my all and that’s what I’ll take away at the end of the day,” Althouse said.

The weather was not the best conditions for any of the athletes on Saturday. It resulted in the high jump and pole vault events being moved indoors due to the steady rain and temperatures in the 40s. But, regardless, Althouse didn’t stress about it. As he put it, 100 meters is 100 meters no matter how you look at it.

“It’s the same 100 meters as it would be in the sun, but definitely preparation (for rain),” Althouse said on if it impacted him. “I tried to stay warm and stay out of the rain with a rain jacket.”

CHRIS MANNING/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Penns Valley's Spencer Althouse runs in the boys Class AA 100 on Saturday at Shippensburg. Althouse took sixth to medal.

The athletes in the 100, among the fastest in the state, helped push Althouse. While he didn’t lead during the race, having fast kids in front of him on the track helps him run his best and motivates him to track down runners.

“Oh my gosh, so much,” Althouse said. “That’s what you do. You don’t run your best when you’re out in front and ahead of everyone. When you have guys pushing you, you get pushed.”

Althouse was glad on Friday he qualified to run in the finals and ensure himself a podium trip.

“That was awesome,” Althouse said. “That’s the best feeling to know you get another race and your season doesn’t end there. I’m very excited about that.”

 He’s Penns Valley’s since Abby Stitzer took eighth in the 800 in 2024. He’s the first boys Penns Valley medalist since Colton Sands took bronze in the 1,600 in 2021.

“Like I said, I’m so proud and happy I can represent my school,” Althouse said. “Hopefully next year we get some more guys and girls out. I’m proud.”