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.

One of the wins came from junior Ryan Marcella in the 100-meter dash, who ran a personal-best time with an 11.28.

A nagging back injury could not dull his appreciation for what he and his teammates accomplished.

“I can't put it into words,” he said before taking a moment to reflect. “After losing to North Allegheny (90-60 April 10), we knew we had to get back to work. All of the work we put into practice, we knew we had to get every possible point today.”

Individuals who claimed two wins for Butler included Jake Wolfrum (110 hurdles, 300 hurdles) and Noah Beveridge (1,600 run, 800 run).

Seneca Valley senior Zach Gehm won all three throwing events.

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

“As well as we've performed, there is room for improvement,” Marcella said. “We have a chance.”

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.

“In a county rivalry like this, we want to defend our turf,” said Tornado girls coach John Williams. “The weather wasn't good and that makes it tough to have good times and distances, but we weren't worried about that. We were just focused on winning events, winning the meet.”

SV's Lauren Chappell won the 100 hurdles and long jump.

Ray Peaco, head coach of SV's boys and girls, knows he has talent on both sides to compete with the teams that will be in the upcoming tournament.

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

“I respect Butler and I respect North Allegheny, but I also respect our kids,” he said. “It's frustrating to look at their faces, knowing we could be the third-best team in the WPIAL, but we don't get a chance to prove it because only the top two teams move on.

“Last year, we took Butler (boys) out. This year, they did it to us. Every year, between us, Butler and NA, one of the three is left out. It's unfortunate.”

Boys

Butler 85, Seneca Valley 65

3,200 relay: Butler (Doug Kostelansky, Brett Brady, Aden Dressler, Noah Beveridge) 8:04.16; 110 hurdles: Jake Wolfrum (B) 15.48; 100 dash: Ryan Marcella (B) 11.28; 1,600 run: Noah Beveridge (B) 4:22; 400 run: Alex Dixon (SV) 51.89; 400 relay: Butler (Jake Wolfrum, Cam Seybert, Michael Grecco, Ryan Marcella) 44.49; 300 hurdles: Wolfrum (B); 800 run: Noah Beveridge (B) 1:58; 200 dash: Gavin Thomas (SV); 3,200 run: Aden Dressler (B) 9:56.21; 1,600 relay: Butler (Doug Kostelansky, Cade Gratzmiller, Noah Beveridge, Jake Wolfrum)

Shot put: Zach Gehm (SV); Discus: Zach Gehm (SV); Javelin: Zach Gehm (SV) 169-2; High jump: Caleb Cekella (SV); Long jump: Tarik Taoufik (B) 21-10.75; Triple jump: Zack Duda (SV) 43-9.5; Pole vault: Nathan Baker (B) 9-6

Girls

Butler 100, Seneca Valley 50

3,200 relay: Butler (Chesna Tomko, Maggie Welty, Erin LeMay, Liz Simms) 10:03.28; 100 hurdles: Lauren Chappell (SV) 16.13; 100 dash: Autumn Sutton (SV) 12.98; 1,600 run: Maggie Welty (B) 5:30; 400 run: Liz Simms (B) 59.31; 400 relay: Butler (Chesna Tomko, Gabby Boden, Maddie Tonini, Emma Stewart) 50.87; 300 hurdles: Chesna Tomko (B) 45.93; 800 run: Liz Simms (B) 2:27.41; 200 dash: Gabby Boden (B) 26.47; 3,200 run: Abby Lizewski (SV) 12:17.14; 1,600 relay: Butler (Chesna Tomko, Maddie Tonini, Gabby Boden, Liz Simms) 4:12.01

Shot put: Alyssa Eyth (B) 32-7; Discus: Jena Reinheimer (B) 127-2; Javelin: Heidi Gross (B) 93-3; High jump: Ali Altman (B) 4-10; Long jump: Lauren Chappell (SV) 16-4.25; Triple jump: Lucy Link (B) 31-3; Pole vault: Sam Penrod (B) 8-6