South Fayette Invitational final tune up for track athletes
Aaron Tate clears the hurdle during 110-meter event at the South Fayette Invitational. The Chartiers Valley sophomore finished fifth in the race, which was won by South Park’s Sam Hartman in 15.16.
Aaron Pfeil takes the relay hand off and begins his leg of the 4x800 relay during the South Fayette Invitational. In addition to helping the relay, Pfeil won the 3,200 race.
Raven Haston from Obama Academy fends of Rachel Helbling (left) and Amanda Oliver (right) in the 100-meter dash during the South Fayette Invitational. Haston won the race in 12.17 while Oliver and Helbling finished second and third with times of 12.41 and 12.46.
In high school track and field, May means “Championship Season,” and teams like Upper St. Clair tuned up for the homestretch of the 2017 campaign by competing April 29 in the South Fayette Invitational.
“They always put on a top-notch event that focuses on the athletes,” said USC coach Doug Petrick. “We had a successful day. USA had a big group of medal and ribbon winners and these performances bode well for the championship season.”
That season begins May 5 with the annual Baldwin Invitational and concludes with the PIAA championships set for May 26-27 at Shippensburg University. In between the WPIAL championship will be held May 18 at Baldwin High School.
“We are excited to participate in the historic Baldwin Invite,” said Petrick. “There’s a lot a great performances that have happened at the stadium in the South Hills. Our athletes are ready to take center stage and keep improving their marks.”
At South Fayette, some Panthers improved their marks such that they are now the school standards.
Fox example, Jay Pollock won the shot put. His throw of 52 feet, 6 inches ranks him 21st in the state and sixth all-time on the USC record list. Additionally, Savannah Shaw had a true daily double. The junior won the 1,600-meter run in 5:02.39, which ranks seventh in the state and third all-time at USC. She also won the 800 run in convincing fashion with a 2:23.54 time.
Other top three showings for the Panthers included: Jane Madson (third) in the 200-meter dash in 26.02 and the girls’ 4×100 relay (second) of Lauren Leckenby, Lauren Dudley, Morgan Veglia and Madson in 50.84.
Harvey Kane prepared for the pivotal part of the track season by competing in the 123rd Penn Relays held at the University of Pennsylvania’s Franklin Field in Philadelphia. The last USC athlete to qualify to compete in this prestigious event, which is the oldest and largest track and field competition in the country, was Rob Rankin in 2005.
“This particular meet hosts athletes on high school, college, professional and Olympic levels from North America and abroad so entrance into it is not an easy task and requires meeting particular standards,” said USC assistant coach Matthew Cosgrove.
Kane’s win at the indoor state meet earned him a spot as one of 22 long jump competitors. He placed 13th with a jump of 6.69 meters (21 feet, 11.5 inches).
“We are extremely proud of Harvey’s accomplishments,” Cosgrove said and we look forward to his continued success as he finishes out the track season.”
The remainder of the track season proves promising for the host Lions as several South Fayette athletes fared well in the invitational.
Rachel Helbling continued her dominance in the 400-meter dash. The reigning WPIAL champion won at the distance in 57.03. The junior also took the bronze in the 100 dash and finished fourth in the 200 sprint.
Courtney Phoennik dominated the jumping. She won the triple in 36 feet, 10.25 inches. She secured second places in the long and high jumps. Her teammate, Hailey Bair, won the high jump in 5 feet, 1 inch.
Winners on the men’s side included Aaron Pfeil in the 3,200 and Sam Mastro in the discus. Mastro also secured silver in the shot put.
Other top performers for South Fayette included: Amanda Oliver, seconds in the 100 and 200; Stefanie Kozak, fifth, 800; Allison Gates, second, 3,200; Maria DeCello, fourth, 3,200; Hailey Poe, sixth, 3,200; Thayer Phillips, second, third and fourth in the javelin, discus and shot put; Luke Meindl, third in the triple and fourths in the long and high jumps; Josh Milteer, fourth; Sam Snodrass, seventh, 3,200; Silas Mays, fifth, 800; Kendall Jones, sixth, 400; Mikey Speca, fourth and sixth in the 200 and 100 dashes.
The Lions set a new school record in winning the boys’ 4×800 relay. They also won the girls’ 4×400 relay.
Bethel Park produced two champions.
James Krandel captured the 100-meter dash. The BP junior clocked a 10.85 to outdistance TJ’s Zach Wagner and C-M’s Kamden Martin. Krandel also helped the 4-x100 relay to victory.
Madeline Werner won the pole vault, while her teammate Rebecca Libell added third in the event. Sara Gilliam medaled in the shot put. The BP freshman finished third.
Chartiers Valley’s Abdul Brooks and William Phifer finished 1-2 in the pole vault.
Other top three finishes for the Colts included silver medals for Kiki Thornton (800 run), Johannah West (javelin) and Daniel McGeough, second (discus) as well as bronze medals for Stephanie Keelon (300 hurdles) and Elias Zajicek (800 run).
Mason Ventrone won the high jump. The Mt. Lebanon freshman won the event with a leap of 6 feet, 2 inches. Also for the Blue Devils, Jessie Wolf and Cameron Potts took thirds in the triple jump and 1,600-meter run respectively.
Keystone Oaks had two runners-up. Selena Canello secured second in the 400 dash while Tara Gologram captured the silver in the triple jump.
For Canon-McMillan, Chyna Beck grabbed silver in the 100-meter high hurdles while Cerena McBride repeated that performance in the 300 hurdles. Also for the Big Macs, Matt Mansfield was second in the 3,200 run.