Overwhelming
BUTLER TWP — The chance for Butler's athletes to advance as individuals comes later this month.
Tuesday was all about team and both Golden Tornado squads overwhelmed their opponents.
In the WPIAL Class 3A team semifinals at Art Bernardi Stadium, Butler's boys defeated New Castle (105-43), Kiski Area (107-35) and Central Catholic (114-36).
The Tornado girls took care of West Allegheny (103-47), Kiski Area (129-21) and Central Valley (121½-28½).
Both squads remained perfect at 12-0.
“There weren't many (personal records) today, though we had some good performances,” said Butler girls coach John Williams. “That's the quandary we're put into with these team semifinal meets. The kids want to come out and compete, but it's like match play. All we need is an effort that beats the other teams involved.”
Members of both Butler teams will strive for another level next Wednesday when they will encounter stiffer competition in the WPIAL team championship meet at West Mifflin High School.
Butler's boys hope to earn the program's first district championship in 14 years while the girls will be competing for a fourth straight crown.
Williams credits junior Jen Cichra and freshman Ava Brewster for shoring up one of the few question marks the Tornado had this season in the distance events.
“Jen does the 800 and 1,600 and Ava the 1,600 and 3,200,” Williams said. “And they both run legs of the 4x800 relay.
“They've done a great job of solidifying those events for us. That's some heavy lifting, scoring points in those events. They've both become aces for us.”
Brewster was the overall winner in the 3,200-meter run Tuesday and Cichra was second overall in the 800.
Emma Lehman continued her superb junior campaign, winning both hurdle events and anchoring the winning 4x100 relay. Taylor Timmons was also on that team and won the 400 individually.
Tornado boys coach Mike Seybert lauded the effort of his underclassmen this season.
“The sophomores missed out on last year, so it's like we have two grades of freshmen,” he said. “The younger guys, they're seeing things on the varsity level for the first time, but a lot of them have done really well.
“The long jump has been a pleasant surprise for us. We have eight kids who have gone 20 feet. That's just unheard of.”
Brayden Young was first overall in the long jump Tuesday with a distance of 20-11¾.
Guinness Brown won the 100 and 400 for Butler.
The team championships will include four teams in both boys and girls and Butler will be very familiar with one of the teams in each case.
Butler's girls will face section rival North Allegheny, while the boys will see Seneca Valley for the second time this season.
The Raiders defeated Baldwin, Beaver and Belle Vernon Tuesday to advance.
No other details were available.
Butler 105, New Castle 43Butler 107, Kiski Area 35Butler 114, Central Catholic 363,200 relay: Butler (Raine Gratzmiller, Lucas Slear, Skyler Vavro, CJ Singleton); 110 hurdles: Central Catholic; 100 dash: Guinness Brown (B); 1,600 run: CJ Singleton (B) 4:46.65; 400 run: Guinness Brown (B); 400 relay: New Castle; 300 hurdles: Central Catholic; 800 run: Kiski Area; 200 dash: Central Catholic; 3,200 run: Ben Lyons (B) 10:37.87; 1,600 relay: Butler (John Jackline, Michael Kreinbucher, Carson Noble, Jordan Stutz) Shot put: Kiski Area; Discus: Kiski Area; Javelin: Tyler Rekich (B); High jump: New Castle; Long jump: Brayden Young (B) 20-11¾; Triple jump: Ryan Porch (B); Pole vault: Cade Savochka (B) 12-6
Butler 103, West Allegheny 47Butler 121½, Central Valley 28½Butler 129, Kiski Area 213,200 relay: West Allegheny; 100 hurdles: Emma Lehman (B) 15.72; 100 dash: West Allegheny; 1,600 run: Kiski Area; 400 run: Taylor Timmons (B) 1:01.05; 400 relay: Butler (Alli Morrow, Gabby Boden, Taylor Timmons, Emma Lehman) 49.84; 300 hurdles: Lehman (B); 800 run: West Allegheny; 200 dash: West Allegheny; 3,200 run: Ava Brewster (B); 1,600 relay: West AlleghenyShot put: Kenna Jackson (B) 31-11¾; Discus: Kiski Area; Javelin: Megan Penrod (B); High jump: Alexia Mechling (B) 5-1½; Long jump: Alli Morrow (B); Triple jump: Megan Baggetta (B); Pole vault: Sam Penrod (B)
