A Future Penn State Receiver Is Pennsylvania's Fastest Sprinter

Ethan Black of Conemaugh Township High wins three gold medals and sets a state record at the PIAA Track & Field Championships.

Dan Rainville/USA Today Sports

Penn State is getting Pennsylvania's fastest sprinter as a preferred run-on player in its 2023 football recruiting class. Ethan Black, a senior at Conemaugh Township High, won three sprint gold medals and set a meet record at the 2023 PIAA Track & Field Championships. Black was named the outstanding athlete among Class 2A boys at the two-day event at Shippensburg University.

Black, a wide receiver, defended his Class 2A titles in the 100- and 200-meter dashes and ran a superb final leg to lift Conemaugh Township to gold in the 400 relay. Black's winning time of 10.55 seconds in Saturday's 100 final was the fastest in either Class 2A or 3A. On Friday, Black ran a wind-aided qualifying time of 10.39, surpassing former Penn State running back Journey Brown's state-record time of 10.43 in the 2017 Class 3A championship race.

In the 400 relay, Black took the baton in third place but sprinted past the competition to clinch Conemaugh Township's gold. To punctuate his day, Black won the 200 dash in a state-record time of 21.07. His 200 time also was the fastest in either classification. According to PennTrackXC, Black set a Pennsylvania record in the 100 this season, finishing in 10.22 at an April meet.

Black will join Penn State's roster as a walk-on receiver after catching 54 passes for 884 yards and 12 touchdowns for Conemaugh Township last season. Black, who caught 25 career touchdown passes in high school, told the Daily American newspaper that Penn State long has been his dream school.

"I grew up supporting Penn State, and it's always been my dream to go play football there," Black told the Daily American. "Once the opportunity came along, I just had a feeling that I wanted to follow my dream and chase that."

I am blessed to announce that I have committed to Penn State University where I will be furthering my academic and athletic career. I would like to thank my family, friends, coaches, and teammates for supporting me. #WeAre @coachjfranklin @Coach_Elby @coachmhagans @PennStateFball pic.twitter.com/tW7mvMZbIK

— Ethan Black (@Ethan_Black19) January 25, 2023

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