Tornado thumps Talbots

By DEREK PYDA Eagle Staff Writer

April 18, 2007 Last Updated: April 18, 2007 03:34 PM High School

BUTLER TWP — Butler dominated both the boys and girls track and field meets against visiting Hampton on Tuesday.

And two athletes stood above the rest.

Butler's Ashley Lotz and Mike Martin each grabbed three first-place finishes to help the Golden Tornado win the girls meet (105 1/2-44 1/2) and the boys event (122-28).

Both juniors, Lotz and Martin swept the jumping events in their respective meets, as both Tornado teams improved to 5-0 on the season.

Lotz's efforts included 4 feet, 10 inches in the high jump, 16-5 in the long jump and 34-1/2 in the triple jump.

"Last week, (Lotz) was competing on two sprained ankles," said Butler girls coach Rod Harris. "We tried to take it easy on her today and she goes out and wins all three jumps."

Martin managed 5-8 in the high jump, 21-5 3/4 in the long jump and 42-10 in the triple jump.

As Tornado boys coach Rick Schontz attests, Martin's best events are in the field, but he's one of the most versatile athletes at Butler's disposal this season.

"He could compete in 10 different events if we needed him to," said Schontz.

On a cold and windy day, Schontz was pleased with his team's effort.

"The cold weather affects the field events just like the track events," he said. "And when it's muddy in the field, that means the surfaces for the events are slick, so you have to adjust the speed of your technique."

Matt Cooper, another junior, won the shot put and discus events for the Tornado.

Ben Porter won the 800-meter run and was on the winning 3,200 and 1,600 relay teams.

On the girls side, Lea Renwick won both the 100 and 200 dash events and Hannah Rekich took first in the 100 and 300 hurdles.

"With it being cold today, I was very pleased with the girls times," said Harris. "And the field did well, too. Amy Achesinski's (35-5) in the shot put, that's her best effort this year. We're going to need that at (Saturday's) invite and next Tuesday when we host Pine-Richland and North Allegheny."

BoysButler 122, Hampton 283200-meter relay: Butler (Nathan Neff, Wade Grubbs, Ben Porter, Steve Monnie) 8:46.6;

110-meter hurdles: Logan Renwick (B) 15.7;

100-meter dash: Doug Moran (B) 11.2;

1,600-meter run: Rob Miller (B) 4:36.6;

400-meter dash: Mason McLaughlin (B) 52.4;

400 meter relay: Hampton 45.2;

300-meter hurdles: Reed (H) 40.1;

800-meter run: Ben Porter (B) 2:05.7;

200-meter dash: Casey Piper (B) 23.0;

3,200-meter run: Steve Monnie (B) 10:32.4;

1,600-meter relay: Butler (Wade Grubbs, Rob Miller, Ben Porter, Taylor) 3:41.5

High jump: Mike Martin (B) 5-8;