'Dunn' deal at Baldwin

By SAM TALLARICO Eagle Staff Writer

May 06, 2006 Last Updated: May 06, 2006 03:41 PM High School

Butler thrower wins javelin; SV's Turici does the same

BALDWIN—The idea of placing first at the Baldwin Track and Field Invitational would be great for Butler's Harold Dunn.

The idea of remaining calm would do the same for Seneca Valley's Ashley Turici.

Either way, both athletes were able to walk away with the boys and girls javelin titles, respectively, at the invite to highlight the local medalwinners.

"The main thing is to win, but I just want to keep increasing," said Dunn, who threw 181 feet, 11 inches on his first throw, which more than held up, holding off R.J. Slater of Chartiers Valley (180-7), also on his first throw.

"You have to keep it going to hit the big mark," said Dunn, who set a personal best of 191-11½ at the Tri-State Meet last month.

Dunn was runner-up at the WPIALClass AAA finals last year at just under 180 feet and was ninth at the state meet at just under 170 feet.

"I worked hard in the off-season. I'm hoping to hit 200," he added.

"Four of his seven throws were well over 170 feet,"said Butler boys coach Rick Schontz.

Turici, who also won the event last year, still can't seem to be calm before these type of meets.

"I was throwing terrible in practice (Thursday)," said Turici. "I get nervous here. I get nervous for everything."

Turici won with a throw of 131-8, which she had on her final attempt. Her first throw of the day, 123-11, was still good enough to win the event. Sara Elder of Wilmington was second at 123-8.

"I knew I had first place, but I wanted to get further," said Turici, who's been working on her technique.

Butler's Kendall Butch won three medals on the night, a tie for third place in the high jump (5-2), a tie for fourth in the pole vault (10-6) and eighth place in the triple jump (35-2).

Three other athletes won two individual medals—Seneca Valley's Da'Lynn Mills and Tim Miles and Karns City's Mark Ferguson.

Mills was second in the girls high jump and fifth in the 100 (12.95 seconds), Miles was sixth in the boys shot put (50-2¾) and eighth in the discus (150-10) and Ferguson was fourth in the boys 300 hurdles (39.75) and sixth in the 110 hurdles (15.71).

"My 300 times, I just want to stay in the mid 39s, stay under 40," said Ferguson. "My 110, I thought I ran really bad. I have no idea why."

Ferguson more than held his own against some of the Quad A-sized schools' top-caliber athletes.

"I wanted to stick with the big guns and do my best," Ferguson said. "I figure if I do that, then I know I can."

Seneca Valley had three relays earn medal, the boys' 1,600 (third, 3:28.43) and the girls' 400 (fourth, 50.72) and 3,200 (9:49.34) relays.

Butler had three other fourth-place finishes in the field events: Matt Celestin in the long jump (20-9½), Mike Martin in the triple jump (43-10¾) and Nolan Brink in the discus (151-8).

"Mike is only a sophomore and was just under 44 feet. He's been banged up," said Schontz. "Matt's been resilient and Nolan Brink had four nice throws. We've been working with him to get some consistent marks."

Notes: With the WPIALNorthern Qualifiers Tuesday at Butler and the Class AAA team championships at Norwin Thursday, Schontz held some runners out of events, such as Doug Moran in the open sprints.

The following are the Butler County medalists at Friday's Baldwin Track and Field Invitational.Boys110-meter hurdles: 6-Mark Ferguson (Karns City) 15.71;

400 meter relay: 8-Dan Stanley (Seneca Valley) 51.62;

300-meter hurdles: 4-Mark Ferguson (Karns City) 39.75; 5-Dan Dickey (Seneca Valley) 39.83;

800-meter run: 8-Aaron Smith (Moniteau) 2:00.1;

1,600-meter relay: 3-Seneca Valley 3:28.43

Long jump: 4-Matt Celestin (Butler) 20-9½;

Triple jump: 4-Mike Martin (Butler) 43-10¾;

Shot put: 6-Tim Miles (Seneca Valley) 50-2¾;

Discus: 4-Nolan Brink (Butler) 151-8; 8-Tim Miles (Seneca Valley)150-10;

Javelin: 1-Harold Dunn (Butler) 181-11

Girls3200-meter relay: 7-Seneca Valley 9:49.34;

100-meter dash: 5-Da'Lynn Mills (Seneca Valley) 12.95; 7-Xandria White (Karns City) 13.12;

400-meter relay: 4-Seneca Valley 50.72