Butler teams advance

By SAM TALLARICO Eagle Staff Writer

May 03, 2007 Last Updated: May 03, 2007 03:26 PM High School

Butler's Ashley Lotz won the 100 hurdles during Wednesday's WPIAL Class AAA team track semifinals.

Girls breeze to finals; boys pushed by Kiski Area

BUTLER TWP — Things got off to a flying start for the Butler boys track and field team at the WPIAL Class AAA team semifinals Wednesday.

Then Kiski Area started to inch its way back, which made Butler coach Rick Schontz a little uneasy.

After Butler won the first four track events, the Cavaliers roared back by taking the next four and grabbing first place in all three throws to keep things tight.

It wasn't until Butler's Steve Monnie finished second in the 3,200-meter run, the next-to-last track event, that the Tornado clinched a 83-67 victory at Butler High School.

The win, coupled with the 106-44 decision over Laurel Highlands, sends the squad to the team championships.

The Butler girls also reached the finals by easily outdistancing Fox Chapel 113-36, Laurel Highlands 94-56 and West Allegheny 93-57.

The WPIAL Class AAA team championships will be held next Thursday at West Mifflin High School.

In the boys meet, the 3,200 relay team (8 minutes, 26.9 seconds), Logan Renwick (110 hurdles, 15.8), Doug Moran (100, 11.0) and Rob Miller (1,600, 4:30.4) all won their respective events to stake Butler to the early lead.

"We got some big points in the hurdles," said Schontz. "Brian Burka (who had been suffering from bronchitis) helped us go 1-2 (in the 110 hurdles)."

While Butler won five of the next six track events against Laurel Highlands, Kiski Area was looking to play the spoiler.

"They swept the high jump and the javelin and (won) the 300 hurdles," said Schontz. "That shows you how a season can change. Early in the year, they had no 300 hurdler, then in a week and a half, they move someone over and he's winning."

Still, Butler was able to hold off the Cavaliers.

Mike Martin led the way in the long jump (21 feet, 5C\v inches), the triple jump (42-2C\v) and was the Tornado's lone double individual winner. Casey Piper was Butler's other overall winner (a 22.9 in the 200).

With a healthy Ashley Lotz back in the mix, the Tornado girls rolled into the WPIAL finals.

Lotz won the 100 hurdles (16.0), the long jump (16-8¾) and the high jump (5-2) while Tess Crispin won the 1,600 (5:25.3) and 800 (2:30.3).

"Ashley Lotz had a bum ankle and won three events, but she didn't triple jump," said Butler coach Rod Harris. "No matter what, she wasn't going to jump. We already had 76 points before the 300 hurdles."

Amy Achesinski won the shot put (36-10) and Katherine Sylvia the discus (105-11½) to highlight the throwing events.

Back on the track, Harris said the nucleus of the team will always answer the bell.

"Lea Renwick, Hannah Rekich, Tess Crispin, Amanda Malecky (who won the 400 with a time of 1:00.8), they're great. ... Ashley King, she ran a 12:44.9 in the 3,200, for second place, her PR by 15 seconds."

BoysButler 83, Kiski Area 67Butler 106, Laurel Highlands 44Kiski Area 97, Laurel Highlands 483200-meter relay: Butler (Wade Grubbs, Ben Porter, Steve Monnie, Nate Neff) 8:26.9;

110-meter hurdles: Logan Renwick (B) 15.8;

100-meter dash: Doug Moran (B) 11.0;

1,600-meter run: Rob Miller (B) 4:30.4;

400-meter dash: Stefan Lundberg (KA) 50.4;

400 meter relay: Kiski Area (John Tague, Chris Peppler, Don Magnogna, Josh Lucas) 43.7;

300-meter hurdles: Jeff Jackson (KA) 41.5;

800-meter run: Charles Moyes (KA) 2:04.2;

200-meter dash: Casey Piper (B) 22.9;

3,200-meter run: Steve Msyzco (KA) 10:15.5;

1,600-meter relay: Laurel Highlands 3:44.5

High jump: Brady Pacific (KA) 6-0;

Long jump: Mike Martin (B) 21-5.75;

Triple jump: Mike Martin (B) 42-2.75;

Shot put: Girod (LH) 47-6.75;

Discus: Jim Woodring (KA) 131-10;

Javelin: Josh Vick (KA) 169-5;

Pole vault: Nathaniel Hersh (LH) 14-0

GirlsButler 113, Fox Chapel 36Butler 94, Laurel Highlands 56Butler 93, West Allegheny 57West Allegheny 110, Fox Chapel 35West Allegheny 87, L. Highlands 63Laurel Highlands 91, Fox Chapel 553200-meter relay: West Allegheny 10:17.3;

100-meter hurdles: Ashley Lotz (B) 16.0;

100-meter dash: Breehana Jacobs (LH) 11.8;

1,600-meter run: Tess Crispin (B) 5:25.3;

400-meter dash: Amanda Malecky (B) 1:00.8;

400 meter relay: Laurel Highlands 51.8;

300-meter hurdles: Lang (WA) 46.1;

800-meter run: Tess Crispin (B) 2:30.3;

200-meter dash: Breehana Jacobs (LH) 24.8;

3,200-meter run: Humphrey (FC) 12:08;

1,600-meter relay: West Allegheny 4:07.9

High jump: Ashley Lotz (B) 5-2;

Long jump: Ashley Lotz (B) 16-8.75;