Butler's Madison Tonini navigates the final turn of the girls 200 meters Tuesday in the Golden Tornado's track meet against Seneca Valley. Tonini ran a leg on two of the Golden Tornado's winning relay teams.

BUTLER TWP — Last year, Butler's boys track and field team missed out on a trip to the WPIAL team playoffs with a loss to eventual district champion Seneca Valley.

On a soggy Tuesday afternoon at Art Bernardi Stadium, the Golden Tornado turned the tables on their backyard rival, defeating the Raiders 85-65.

Last year's disappointment was still fresh in the minds of many of coach Rick Schontz's athletes.

“We respect the heck out of Seneca, they were the defending WPIAL champion,” said Schontz. “For us to win today, it was a great meet and a great effort by our kids.”

SV's girls also had a chance to make the team playoffs and split the section title with Butler and North Allegheny, but the Tornado cut them off at the pass by downing the Raiders 100-50.

Butler's boys (6-1) claimed first place in nine of the 11 track events, helping the Tornado overcome a deficit in the field.

Butler will compete in the WPIAL tournament, which begins next month.

Butler's girls (7-0) polished off a third straight section championship, led by Liz Simms, who won the 400 and 800 and helped two relay teams to victory.

Both Raider teams finish the season with records of 5-2.

Read the full story in Wednesday's Butler Eagle.