Many quality qualifiers
BUTLER TWP — The task is simple. The job isn't.
To reach the WPIAL Class AAA Track and Field Championships next week, athletes must finish in the top eight at the Northern Qualifier this week.
For most of Butler County's performers, it proved to be business as usual.
Butler's Logan Renwick qualified in his four usual events, winning the triple jump (46, feet, 1 inch) and 300 hurdles (40.12 seconds) and placing second in the long jump (21-½) and in the 100 hurdles (15.08).
Winning isn't what matters at this event; just doing enough to get through. Seneca Valley's Cam Stauffer captured both the 1,600 and 3,200 runs, just not in his fastest times.
Still, that did not stop some athletes from coming away with some personal bests.
Butler's Marina Gracik threw a 122-4 in winning the girls javelin and Lexis Frost had a 36-4½in the girls triple jump to place second.
"Both have moved up to the top 10 all-time at Butler," said Tornado girls coach Rod Harris. "All three of our girls in shot put and all three in high jump also moved on.
"Overall, our girls did a great job. They went out and bested the person next to them. You do that and it's another week of survival, another week of good training and with that, you can get better," Harris added.
"Today was a matter of surviving and getting to another meet," said Butler boys coach Rick Schontz. "To compete next week, that's what it's all about."
Seneca Valley coach Ray Peaco said more than half of the 50-plus athletes he brought to the meet advanced to next week's final.
"We had a very productive night, both in the field and on the track," said Peaco.
Along with Stauffer was Erin Lopresti, who won the 800 with a time of 2:16.49. She has been consistent all season, winning the Butler and Baldwin invitationals with a comparable time.
"We hope three times a charm (next week)," said Peaco. "She's a junior, so it's about time she gets it. The girl from Hopewell (Elise Farris) gave her a tough race at Baldwin (Lopresti won with a time of 2:15.55; Farris 2:16.07) but we talked about not wanting any girls to think they can catch her.
"We don't want them to smell the blood. We wanted to send a clear message," Peaco added.
The Raiders' Zach Francis qualified in the high and triple jumps, while John Boyd made it in both hurdles events, which included a win at 110 hurdles.
SV's Stacey Harkins (discus, javelin) and Knoch's Allyson Cress (shot put, discus) also qualified in two individual field events while Knoch's Regina Robb qualified in both hurdles events.
"We're looking to medal in a couple of events at the WPIAL meet," said Knoch girls coach Tom Hoffmann. "Regina Robb had been hurt all season but has be coming on. We're looking for her to medal in both and go on to states."
