Oh so close

By DEREK PYDA Eagle Staff Writer

May 10, 2005 Last Updated: May 10, 2005 03:28 PM High School

Freeport falls on event

ADAMS TWP - One event - that's what separated the Freeport girls track and field squad from its first WPIAL team title in 20 years.

The Yellowjackets held a slim 73-72 advantage over Quaker Valley entering the day's final event - the 1,600 relay - Monday during the WPIAL Class AA team championships at the Mars Athletic Complex.

The Quakers' quartet of Eryn Correa, Khrista Rogers, Amy Dominguez and Claire Shorall won the race with a time of 4 minutes, 6 seconds, making the final score Quaker Valley 77, Freeport 73.

The Quakers also defeated Greensburg Central Catholic 81-62 and Riverside 90-60. It is the program's fourth Class AA district title in the last five years.

"We are usually strong in relays," said Quaker Valley coach Jerry Veshio. "But we had not run in a lot of hot weather like there was today and the girls had already competed in other events.

"With Lacey Cochran being (Freeport's) anchor, we felt we needed a six to seven second lead before the final lap and we got it," he added.

Freeport's foursome in the final race, Olivia Hess, Jordan Dunn, Dana Turley and Cochran, finished a distant second at 4:15.

"Our girls have done a great job in the (1,600 relay) all season long," said Yellowjackets coach Bill Dillen. "But that is also Quaker Valley's strength, the relays. We knew that coming in."

Freeport did defeat Greensburg Central Catholic 89-61 and Riverside 92

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It marks the third time in four seasons that Dillen's squad has finished runner-up in the district title meet.

"I've got to take my hat off to Bill Dillen," said Veshio. "He and I have been going back and forth with each other for so long. Freeport has been tremendous."

Melanie Lutz was a key contributor to Freeport's effort.

She won the 1,600-meter run (5:30.52) and was second in the 3,200.

The former performance was highlighted by Lutz making up more five meters of ground on the final straightaway, just edging Quaker Valley's Claire Shorall for the win.

"Melanie's a plugger," said Dillen. "She simply does not like to lose."

Marisa DeSalvo won the shot put with a top heave of 33 feet, 1¼ inches.

Freeport's two other first-place finishes came from senior sprint star Cochran, who won the 200 and 400 runs with times of 25.97 and 59.29, respectively.

The Yellowjackets were also credited with five second-place finishes and five third place finishes.

Included in that group was Maurielle Blake's personal best mark in the triple jump at 33-3¼, good for third place.

Girls

Quaker Valley 77, Freeport 73; Freeport 89, Greensburg Central Catholic 61, Freeport 92

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Track Events

3,200-meter relay:

1-Quaker Valley 10:01

100-meter hurdles:

1-Gibson (GCC) 17.0, 2-Rogers (QV), 3-Haney (R)

100-meter dash:

1-Kimbrough (QV) 12.42, 2-Lacey Cochran (F) 12.43, 3-Donahue (GCC)