Apr 10, 2014 3 min read

In one of its best performances ever during the Tri-State Track Coaches Association meet, Mt. Lebanon coasted to the championship in the girls’ division.

The Lebo ladies racked up 98 points and easily out-distanced perennial powers Hempfield and North Allegheny during the meet held at West Mifflin. The Blue Devils scored in 12 of 17 events with double medalists in three races.

Claire Dougherty captured the gold in the 400- and 800-meter runs with times of 1:00.84 and 2:23.25. The sophomore also anchored the 4-by-400-meter relay team to a second-place showing. In addition to Dougherty, Aleighsa Gibson, Kiera Mangan and Audrey Gordon comprised the unit.

Jillian Linkowski also earned three medals. In addition to winning the long jump in 16-02, she placed in the 100-meter high hurdles and the 4-by-100 relay. In addition to Linkowski, Caroline, Eleni Nicholas and Sarah Rolfson combined for the fourth-place finish.

Kelsey Potts breezed to victory in the 1,600 in 5:06.07 while Natalie Corrado won the 300 hurdles in 47.34.

While Lebo also secured sixth in the 4-by-800 relay with Leah Graf, Emma Furry, Azaria Kobik and Grace Tandon, several other ladies submitted strong individual performances.

Ellie Meinzer finished fourth in the 200 dash.

Callie Gunzenhauser placed fifth in the 800 run while Gordon took third in the 1,600. Hunsberger secured second in the 3,200 and Sadie Saxton followed in fifth.

Additionally, Megan Reimer placed in the discus with a throw of 105 feet.

The Lebo ladies will compete April 12 in the Hempfield Invitational.

Meanwhile, Lebo placed sixth in the boys’ standings. North Allegheny won the team title followed by Altoona and Hempfield.

Troy Apke was the lone champion. He breezed to victory in the 100-meter dash in 11.35 seconds.

James Smith of Upper St. Clair and Billy Ruschel of Bethel Park were the only other area champions.

Smith, a senior who qualified for states last year, clocked in at 1:56.21 to win the 800-meter dash.

Ruschel captured the triple jump with a leap of 43 feet.

South Fayette also had a strong showing at the TSTCA meet, with the boys finishing in the top 10 in the team standings.

Individually, Mitch Valko took third in the 110-meter high hurdles. He helped the 4-by-100 relay team of Aaron Gaunt, Aaron Mack and Max Hanich secure seventh place. The 4-by-800 relay unit of Frank Morelli, Devan Sandala, Ben Meindl and Roy Rothenberger sealed sixth place.

Ryan Lerda finished fifth in the 1,600 run while Gaunt took that position in the 100 dash. Zach Russell placed seventh in the 400. For the girls, Natalie Hilton finished fourth in the 1,600 while Tori Valachovic duplicated that showing in the high and intermediate hurdles.

Alex Frazier-Francis, who was eighth in the long jump, helped the 4-by-100 relay unit of Rachel Schuman, Jenny Moreau and Amanda Oliver to an eighth-place showing.

In other track related news, Mark Buda is excelling at Brown University. The former Mt. Lebanon standout placed sixth in the javelin during the Raleigh Relays. The freshman threw for 59.55 meters.

The son of Cynthia and Christopher Buda was a four-year letterwinner and team MVP at Mt. Lebanon. A WPIAL runner-up, Buda garnered USATF all-America honors as well as Almanac MVP laurels. He also claimed the Donley-Mollenauer MVP award.