Domination
WHITEHALL — Freeport always manages to have a good boys track and field team, but only a select few have been crowned district champion.
Add one more to that list.
The Yellowjackets placed first overall in 10 of 18 events to earn the program's fourth WPIAL Class AA championship Monday on the campus of Baldwin High School.
Freeport's dominating effort included victories over Freedom (89-61), South Park (92-58) and Washington (94-56). The current Yellowjackets join the teams from 2003, 2004 and 2010 as Freeport squads to win a WPIAL title.
“We were runner-up last year (to Beaver),” said Freeport coach John Gaillot. “At the beginning of this season, we told the boys that we wanted to finish it.”
The 'Jackets wasted no time in doing just that, grabbing first place in the first three track events — the 3,200-meter relay (Alec Parker, John Asay, Kevin Lynch, Robbie Reichenbaugh), 110 hurdles (Dylan Hochbein) and 100 dash (Jake Sarver).
“This team competes all the time,” added Gaillot. “They step up their game. We have athletes who believe in each other and they work well together.”
Experience was a key factor in getting the 'Jackets to the top.
“A lot of the seniors have been on the team all four years,” said senior Noah Bowser, who won the 3,200 run. “There's been a huge commitment by the upperclassmen and it paid off.”
Bowser was unaware that Freeport had already clinched the title when he stepped onto the track to compete in the 3,200.
“I'm glad for that,” he said. “I always feel better after a hard race than after an easy one.
“There are so many track meets during the season that, especially in distance events, you can't go hard all the time. In team events like this, you can either take a rest or push yourself harder than you normally would. We were inspired to go harder today.”Aside from his win in the 110 hurdles, senior Dylan Hochbein helped secure two other victories for the 'Jackets — 400 run and the 1,600 relay, on which he teamed with Ian Miller, Brandon Hochbein and Reichenbaugh.Brandon Hochbein also won the 300 hurdles and high jump.“This feels great. It's a huge deal,” Dylan Hochbein said. “For Brandon and me to be part of this, to contribute, it adds to the victory.”Freeport's other event winners were Reichenbaugh in the 800 run and Miller in the pole vault.“I am blessed, not only with the kids, but also with our coaches,” said Gaillot. “Every year is enjoyable.”Freeport will now turn its attention to the WPIAL Class AA Northern Qualifier, scheduled for Thursday at Shady Side Academy. Coming off a performance like it turned in Monday can only help, according to Bowser.“Everybody seems to be peaking at the right time.”The Butler girls' bid to win their first Class AAA title since 2011 fell short. While the Golden Tornado defeated Mt. Lebanon (93½-56½) and Seneca Valley (95-55), they dropped an 85-65 decision to Hempfield. The Spartans have now won five straight WPIAL titles.“Hempfield is so strong in the field, they outscored us there 53-10,” said Butler coach John Williams. “But we had some good times on the track.”
Posting wins for the Golden Tornado were Emily Horstman (100, 200 dashes), Maggie Welty (1,600, 3,200 runs) and Alexis Leech in the 400 run. Butler's 1,600 relay quartet of Horstman, Shana Hoy, Liz Simms and Leech also placed first.Seneca Valley placed fourth after being outscored by Hempfield (98-52) and Mt. Lebanon (79-71).In Class AAA boys action, Mike Kolor won the 1,600 and 800 runs to lead Seneca Valley to a second-place finish. The Raiders topped Norwin (115-35) and Hempfield (78-72), but fell to rival North Allegheny (91-59).Freeport's girls tied for third with South Park in Class AA, which was won by Beaver.
