Butler boys repeat TSTCA indoor title

February 22, 2022 Last Updated: February 22, 2022 02:59 PM High School

Butler distance medley relay team

Golden Tornado distance medley relay 3rd fastest in nation

EDINBORO — Butler’s boys track team put an exclamation point on its second consecutive Tri-State Track Coaches Association Indoor Championship Saturday at Edinboro University — with more to come.

The Golden Tornado tallied 106 points, beating out runner-up North Allegheny by 30. Seneca Valley was third in the 64-team field with 43.

“I know we won this last year, but there’s something special about this group of kids,” Butler boys track coach Mike Seybert said. “I don’t think Butler’s ever finished among the top five at the state indoor meet. There are 500 schools involved there.

“But these guys have a real shot at it.”

The Golden Tornado’s distance medley relay team of Drew Griffith, Lucas Slear, Ryder Kriley and CJ Singleton broke the meet and venue record with a time of 10 minutes, 19.37 seconds. That time is fastest in the state and third fastest in the nation.

Butler also won the 4x200 relay in 1:31.65 with Guinness Brown, Brayden Young, Landon Lacey and Slear.

“We lost Presley Ornelas to an injury before that (4x200) relayy, so (sophomore) Landon Lacey stepped in,” Slear said. “I ran the anchor leg for the first time. I like running the anchor because I know it’s all on me at that point.”

The Tornado’s 4x400 relay of Aaron Stebick, Singleton, Carson Knight and Brown won that event in 3:33.67. Brown won the 200 and 400 meter races in 22.52 and 49.53 seconds, respectively.

“My legs always feel a little tired the day after one of these meets, but adrenalin gets me through the races,” Brown said,. “Our relay teams work so hard all the time and that makes the difference for us.

“Everyone shows up at practice every day, ready to work. Then we hit the weight room afterward. We’re seeing all of that hard work pay off.”

Singleton ran the final (mile) leg of the DMR in 4 minutes and 10 seconds to complete the record-breaking performance.

“What CJ does is insane,” Slear said. “It’s fun just watching him run. Ryder gave us the lead on the third leg ... it was close up to that point with North Allegheny, but when CJ got the baton, that was it.

“It’s pretty cool knowing that only two teams in the entire country are faster than us.”

Butler’s previous DMR record time was 10:33.54, set by Brett Brady, Tim Porter, Jake Wolfrom and Noah Beveridge in 2018.

Tyler Rekich won the long jump with a leap of 20 feet, 8.5 inches. Ornelas was third in the 60-meter hurdles, but his time of 8.49 seconds snapped the school record of 8.54, set by Byron Manchester last year.

Tristan McGarrah took second in the pole vauilt for Butler at 14 feet, 6 inches.

“He’s using a 16-foot pole and he’s primed to break the school record of 15-1, held by Jack Codispot,” Seybert said. “He has one more shot at it this season.”

The state indoor meet is this Sunday at Penn State University.

“We’re motivated by records, they’ve pushed us all season,” Brown said. “I like where our team is at right now. We’re capable of doing some great things out there.”

Only four schools in 60 years have won the team state indoor and outdoor track and field titles in Pennsylvania.

“We’re thinking we could be the fifth,” Seybert said.

Here are other Butler County athletes who placed among the top five in their respective events at the TSTCA Indoor Championships:

Boys

60 meters: 2-Danny Fountain (Seneca Valley) 7.28

200 meters: 3-Jacob Thompson (Mars) 23.22, 5-Presley Ornelas (Butler) 23.62

400 meters: 2-Trevor Paschall (North Catholic) 50.03, 5-Lucas Slear (Butler) 52.16

800 meters: 5-Luke Simpson (Seneca Valley) 2:01.51

Mile: 5-Luke Simpson (Seneca Valley) 4:31.55

60-meter hurdles: 3-Presley Ornelas (Butler) 8.54

4x200 relay: 5-Seneca Valley 1:37.86

4x800 relay: 5-Butler 8:46.61