Mt. Lebanon Invitational showcases track talent
Jehvonn Lewis places the baton into the hands of James Krandall during the first exchange in the 4x100 relay at the Mt. Lebanon Invitational. Bethel Park won the event in 45.02. Krandall also won the 100-meter dash, shattering the meet record with a time of 11.17.
Rachel Helbling cruised to victory in the 400-meter dash during the Mt. Lebanon Invitational. The South Fayette senior is the defending WPIAL champion in the event.
Courtney Phoennik and Sam Mastro were among the stars during the Mt. Lebanon Invitational. The South Fayette pair dominated the field event, with both standing atop the podium multiple times.
Phoennik finished first in the high and triple jumps. Previously, the senior shattered two school leaping records in the long and triple jumps during the Upper St. Clair Co-ed Relay Meet.
Mastro won the discus and shot put events. His throw of 170 feet, 1 inch shattered the school’s record for the discus. The junior earlier broke the mark in the shot put with a toss of 54 feet, 9.5 inches during the Upper St. Clair Co-ed Relay meet.
Other first-place winners for the Lions in the Mt. Lebanon Invitational included: Rachel Helbling in the 400-meter dash, Mikey Speca in the 100 meters, Sam Snodgras in the two-mile race, Thayer Phillips in the javelin. Snodgrass clocked in at 9:38.17 to break the meet record of 9:41 set by Todd Gunzenhauser. Phillips also shattered the meet mark with his throw of 170 feet, 1 inch. Chartiers Valley’s Zachary Farrow set the previous record of 159 feet, 5 inches in 2014.
James Krandal led a handful of Bethel Park students to the top of the podium.
The junior combined with Jehvonn Lewis, Terron Murphy and Ken Barnhart for victory in the 4×100 relay. Earlier, Krandal smashed the meet record in capturing the gold in the 100-meter dash in 11.17 seconds.
Individually, Barnhart won the long jump while Rebecca Libell won the pole vault.
Sarah Gilliam also picked up two wins. The freshman won the shot put and discus throw.
Chartiers Valley picked up a handful of victories. Leading the parade to the podium were: Aaron Tate in the high hurdles; Elias Zajicek and Czar Tarr finishing 1-2 in the mile; Nathan Wood cruised in the 400 dash; Johanna West winning the girls’ javelin and Abdul Brooks first in the pole vault.
The host Blue Devils had their share of winners including the 4×100 relay team of Molly Mangan, Sydney Donati, Katie Ward and Flynn Begor.
Individually, Begor won the high hurdles while Ward and Mangan captured the 100 and 200 dashes, respectively. Additionally, Mason Ventrone and Seth Morgan finished 1-2 in the boys’ high jump.