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JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – Richland High School graduates Arison McCulty and Nate Pugh blossomed in track and field late during their careers. They hope to build on their ascension as the duo decided on continuing their academic and athletic careers in college Friday morning.
McCulty, a 2026 PIAA Class 2A state champion, will be a long jumper at Indiana Institute of Technology, while Pugh will be a sprinter at St. Francis University in Loretto.
• McCulty was attracted to one to one of the best National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics track and field programs at the Division I level. He will also have company in with his older brother, Lanigan, going to the University of St. Francis, also located in Fort Wayne.
“The main thing that stood out with me is that their facilities are really nice," Arison McCulty said. "They have their own indoor track for being NAIA. They’re giving me a nice offer to come out there. I really like the campus. I’m going to be right across town from my older brother. I’m not going to be all alone out there.”
McCulty said the University of St. Francis is about 10 minutes away from Indiana Tech in Fort Wayne, the second-most populous city in Indiana.
A marketing major, McCulty leaped 22 feet, 5 1/2 inches to win state gold in the long jump. He only started jumping in 2025, when he finished fifth in long jump at the state meet.
“I thought I was going to go for basketball," McCulty said of his college plans taking a turn. "I wasn’t expecting it for track. Once I started winning stuff, ‘Oh, I can probably continue doing track.’ I started training for my senior year and then I was doing pretty good. I was able to win a state championship. ‘OK, yeah, I got to do track.’ "
McCulty will join an Indiana Tech program that has won 13 straight Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference outdoor track and field titles. The Warriors, led by coach Doug Edgar, finished second at the 2026 NAIA outdoor track and field championships. The 2026 Laurel Highlands Athletic Conference and District 6 champion has flourished during his short stint as a long jumper.
“I obviously enjoy the event, but I enjoy winning," McCulty said. "That’s what makes me try hard. I just love making that final pop, flying and landing as far as I can.”
Adding his name among other state champions from Richland was a thrill for him.
“It’s so cool, so every time I’m going to come and see my little sister play volleyball, when I look up and see my name up there, I’ll remember back to the time I won," McCulty said. "It’s great.”
McCulty will join an Indiana Tech roster that produced two All-Americans in long jump, as Damien Keys placed fifth and Stephen Sydnor was seventh.
“I want to be able to compete against my own teammates to hopefully make me better, challenge myself," McCulty said. "Last year, they had two All-Americans in long jump. I’m trying to be one. That’s my goal.”
McCulty is the son of Matthew and Leigh Ann McCulty.
• Pugh found his ideal fit at St. Francis. Joining the Red Wolves allows him to still compete athletically while majoring in his preferred field.
“I’m going to St. Francis for the PA (physicians' assistant) program there," Pugh said. "That’s my career choice. It’s a great atmosphere. Seeing what has been going on there, all the work they put into their students and student-athletes, it’s something I want to be a part of and I’m looking forward to.
"Running track there is a decision I made. I went between track and football. This year, I found a lot of success in track. I decided that track is my sport. Track is one of my favorite things to do."
Pugh was a part of three straight District 6 Class 2A track and field title teams between 2024-26, and he helped the Rams claim the 2025 District 6 Class 2A football title. He made 255 career tackles, including 229 over his final two seasons. He notched 16 stops for loss of yardage and nine sacks. Pugh will compete in the 200- and 400-meter runs, while possibly running a leg in the 400 and 1600 relays.
A late convert to the 400, Pugh believes he has more successful days ahead with more training in the event.
“This year, I just started running the 400," Pugh said. "I only started running that halfway through the season. I got some times that the college coaches at St. Francis liked my times. I feel like I can drop those times down pretty significantly over the next few years of running there just because I’ve only had about a month of running it in-season. There’s a lot of potential I can tap into and reach hopefully at St. Francis.”
St. Francis will compete at the NCAA Division III level starting this fall. Coach Douglas Hoover leads the Red Wolves.
Pugh ran a leg on the 2026 District 6 Class 2A 400 relay championship team that set a meet and program record. He also was named to the 2025 The Tribune-Democrat All-Area Football and LHAC West second teams as a linebacker. Pugh played in the 2026 1st Summit Bank Ken Lantzy All-Star Classic.
“I’ve always wanted to do a college sport," Pugh said. "I feel like I’m an athlete and want to continue in some way. I decided track would be my best option because I don’t feel like I’m done with sports yet. I feel like I have more potential and it’s something I want to keep pursuing in my career over the next four to five years.”
Competing in track and field brings out the best in Pugh.
“It really pushes you to be the best version of yourself," Pugh said. "You have to work hard every day, recover and still maintain grades in school. It’s a challenge, but I like to be challenged."
Also a member of the basketball team, Pugh is the son of Tiffany Pugh.
Continue reading...
McCulty, a 2026 PIAA Class 2A state champion, will be a long jumper at Indiana Institute of Technology, while Pugh will be a sprinter at St. Francis University in Loretto.
• McCulty was attracted to one to one of the best National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics track and field programs at the Division I level. He will also have company in with his older brother, Lanigan, going to the University of St. Francis, also located in Fort Wayne.
“The main thing that stood out with me is that their facilities are really nice," Arison McCulty said. "They have their own indoor track for being NAIA. They’re giving me a nice offer to come out there. I really like the campus. I’m going to be right across town from my older brother. I’m not going to be all alone out there.”
McCulty said the University of St. Francis is about 10 minutes away from Indiana Tech in Fort Wayne, the second-most populous city in Indiana.
A marketing major, McCulty leaped 22 feet, 5 1/2 inches to win state gold in the long jump. He only started jumping in 2025, when he finished fifth in long jump at the state meet.
“I thought I was going to go for basketball," McCulty said of his college plans taking a turn. "I wasn’t expecting it for track. Once I started winning stuff, ‘Oh, I can probably continue doing track.’ I started training for my senior year and then I was doing pretty good. I was able to win a state championship. ‘OK, yeah, I got to do track.’ "
McCulty will join an Indiana Tech program that has won 13 straight Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference outdoor track and field titles. The Warriors, led by coach Doug Edgar, finished second at the 2026 NAIA outdoor track and field championships. The 2026 Laurel Highlands Athletic Conference and District 6 champion has flourished during his short stint as a long jumper.
“I obviously enjoy the event, but I enjoy winning," McCulty said. "That’s what makes me try hard. I just love making that final pop, flying and landing as far as I can.”
Adding his name among other state champions from Richland was a thrill for him.
“It’s so cool, so every time I’m going to come and see my little sister play volleyball, when I look up and see my name up there, I’ll remember back to the time I won," McCulty said. "It’s great.”
McCulty will join an Indiana Tech roster that produced two All-Americans in long jump, as Damien Keys placed fifth and Stephen Sydnor was seventh.
“I want to be able to compete against my own teammates to hopefully make me better, challenge myself," McCulty said. "Last year, they had two All-Americans in long jump. I’m trying to be one. That’s my goal.”
McCulty is the son of Matthew and Leigh Ann McCulty.
• Pugh found his ideal fit at St. Francis. Joining the Red Wolves allows him to still compete athletically while majoring in his preferred field.
“I’m going to St. Francis for the PA (physicians' assistant) program there," Pugh said. "That’s my career choice. It’s a great atmosphere. Seeing what has been going on there, all the work they put into their students and student-athletes, it’s something I want to be a part of and I’m looking forward to.
"Running track there is a decision I made. I went between track and football. This year, I found a lot of success in track. I decided that track is my sport. Track is one of my favorite things to do."
Pugh was a part of three straight District 6 Class 2A track and field title teams between 2024-26, and he helped the Rams claim the 2025 District 6 Class 2A football title. He made 255 career tackles, including 229 over his final two seasons. He notched 16 stops for loss of yardage and nine sacks. Pugh will compete in the 200- and 400-meter runs, while possibly running a leg in the 400 and 1600 relays.
A late convert to the 400, Pugh believes he has more successful days ahead with more training in the event.
“This year, I just started running the 400," Pugh said. "I only started running that halfway through the season. I got some times that the college coaches at St. Francis liked my times. I feel like I can drop those times down pretty significantly over the next few years of running there just because I’ve only had about a month of running it in-season. There’s a lot of potential I can tap into and reach hopefully at St. Francis.”
St. Francis will compete at the NCAA Division III level starting this fall. Coach Douglas Hoover leads the Red Wolves.
Pugh ran a leg on the 2026 District 6 Class 2A 400 relay championship team that set a meet and program record. He also was named to the 2025 The Tribune-Democrat All-Area Football and LHAC West second teams as a linebacker. Pugh played in the 2026 1st Summit Bank Ken Lantzy All-Star Classic.
“I’ve always wanted to do a college sport," Pugh said. "I feel like I’m an athlete and want to continue in some way. I decided track would be my best option because I don’t feel like I’m done with sports yet. I feel like I have more potential and it’s something I want to keep pursuing in my career over the next four to five years.”
Competing in track and field brings out the best in Pugh.
“It really pushes you to be the best version of yourself," Pugh said. "You have to work hard every day, recover and still maintain grades in school. It’s a challenge, but I like to be challenged."
Also a member of the basketball team, Pugh is the son of Tiffany Pugh.
Continue reading...
