Trevor Cunningham couldn’t help but smile when he walked off the track Friday at Shippensburg University.

The Northwestern senior closed out his career with a third place finish in his Class 3A 300-meter hurdle preliminary heat at the PIAA Championships.

“It’s a great feeling to be here,” said Cunningham. “This was my goal from the beginning of the season. It’s a great way to end it, not only the track season, but high school athletics in general. I’m gonna miss it, but it’s a great way to go out.”

Though he didn’t advance to Saturday’s final, Cunningham was still pleased with the 39.68 he ran in his prelim.

“It felt good,” he said. “Coming into districts, my PR was a 39.5. To run a 39.68 like that, that’s a pretty good feeling.

“There’s a big crowd here. I had the Souderton kid (Stephen Scott, who won the heat in 39.37) to my right, in front of me. I was happy about that because I knew he would be there to push me.”

Having someone to key on like Scott, who finished third in Saturday’s final, was just the motivation Cunningham needed.

“The first thing I looked at, when the seeds came out, was what lane I was in, not necessarily what I was ranked overall,” said Cunningham, who was seeded 10th in the event. “Because I knew that if I had someone pushing me there, that I could bring something extra and that it would help push me.”

The distinction of being the lone Northwestern representative at the state track meet was not lost on Cunningham.

“We are 3A, so it’s tough for some kids to get in,” Cunningham said. “But I’m just looking to represent the school, our community, and give them something to watch for.

“I just want to show other kids coming up that see there was a Northwestern kid out at states, and I can be, too. I can do that. Hopefully that will motivate them and push them to come out here, and do well and represent the school. It’s been a real fun year. It’s been a lot of fun doing this.”

While Cunningham’s high school athletic career is over, the next chapter is just beginning. Cunningham will play football for Bloomsburg University next fall, and wouldn’t rule out the possibility of pulling double duty.

“There is a chance I could,” Cunningham said when asked if he would do track and football at Bloomsburg. “I’m mainly going to focus on football.

“First, I’ll get through the football season, see how I do academically. If everything goes well, and I feel comfortable doing it, and I’m doing well in school, then there’s a chance that I might try out track and see how I do there.”

As he thinks about the future, Cunningham expressed gratitude for the opportunities that have helped take him to the next stage of his career.

“I just want to thank the school and everyone who has supported me throughout my four years,” Cunningham said. “It’s been a lot of fun, and I’m going to miss this place.”