Mars boys reach WPIAL track finals

By SAM TALLARICO Eagle Staff Writer

May 04, 2006 Last Updated: May 04, 2006 05:05 PM High School

Bill Bair of Mars takes of on the second leg of the 4x100 meter realay Wednsday after taking the handoff from teammate Justin Piocquidio.

ADAMSTWP— In the pre-season, Joe Cioc wasn't shy in thinking his Mars boys track team was among the top teams in Class AA.

After Wednesday, he now has the proof.

In the first round of the WPIAL team playoffs, the Planets defeated Burrell 85-65 and Shenango 98½-51½ to advance to the WPIAL team championships.

Mars will serve as hosts again, to be joined by three other teams who won their respective playoff meets Wednesday.

"I knew at the beginning of the year, if we didn't have any injuries, which we've been fortunate, this was a WPIAL finalist team," said Cioc.

"We have new kids like Billy Bair, Justin Piocquidio, Tim Frye, who have been great additions. Josh Keil, he's been killing himself for this team. And then you have the kids from last year who have gotten better,"Cioc added.

On Wednesday, Cody Kier led the way, winning the 1,600 (4 minutes, 53 seconds) and 3,200 (11:10) and was a member of the winning 3,200 relay team (8:51.0).

"His times have been coming down great, and the (3,200 relay's) time has come down too," said Cioc.

Other overall winners for the Planets included Derek Workman in the 800 (2:07) as well as the 3,200 relay.

Mars won five of the seven field events against Burrell which really made a difference.

"We really showed up in the field events," said Cioc. "Josh Thompson really showed up."

Thompson won the discus (113-10), while Ian Mundy won the high jump (6-0½), Justin Piocquidio in the long jump (21-6) and Logan Giger in the pole vault (9-6).

Piocquidio's leap places him third on Mars' all-time list while Mundy hit the team's top 10 .

The Planets also won two of three relays, basically conceding the final event, the 1,600 relay, since they had already wrapped up the playoff wins.

"You win two of three relays and you'll win a close meet," said Cioc. "We lost two of three to Deer Lakes and lost."

What excites Cioc is the core group of this team is made up of underclassmen.

"With this team, close to 75 percent of the points come from the junior class," said Cioc. "This team is really jelling. They're a close group. Our bus rides are pretty entertaining."

Notes: Burrell defeated Shenango 81-69 in the other playoffs ... Mars will host the WPIAL Class AA boys and girls individual qualifier on Tuesday then host the boys and girls team playoff final next Thursday.

BoysMars 98½, Shenango 51½3200-meter relay: Mars (Cody Kier, B. Stadelmeyer, Eric Standish, Derek Workman) 8:51;

110-meter hurdles: Stalma (S) 15.4;

100-meter dash: Bill Bair (M) 11.5;

1,600-meter run: Cody Kier (M) 4:35;

400-meter dash: Derek Workman (M) 54.1;

400 meter relay: Mars (Bill Bair, Justin Piocquidio, Steve Jackson, Josh Keil) 44.5;

300-meter hurdles: Hassam (S) 43.9;

800-meter run: Derek Workman (M) 2:07;

200-meter dash: Steve Jackson (M) 23.3;

3,200-meter run: Cody Kier (M) 11:10;

1,600-meter relay: Mars (Conley, Justin Piocquidio, Luke Martin, Bill Bair) 4:14

High jump: Ian Mundy (M) 6-0½;