Butler’s Bowden moves up all-time list in 300 hurdles
BUTLER TWP — Lauren Bowden wasted no time turning in an impressive effort on the track.
In Butler’s first official meet of the season, a double-dual against Fox Chapel and North Hills on Wednesday, the Golden Tornado senior won the girls 300-meter hurdles with a time of 46.40 seconds, the eighth-best time in program history.
“I usually get nervous when I think about my (potential) time before an event,” said Bowden. “But I’ve been practicing well, I have great coaches and I knew I was capable of running a good time today.”
As long as she remains healthy, Butler coach John Williams sees a special season ahead for Bowden.
“She was dealing with shin splints as a freshman and sophomore, but has really taken off since,” he said. “Her best time last year was 47.04 and that was ninth-best in school history. The time she ran today ... and it’s just April 3rd.”
Bowden also won the 100 hurdles, but believes she has more potential in the 300.
“I have a lot more of my technique to work on in the 100,” she said. “I basically look at that event as a way to warm up for the 300. That’s where my focus is and my goal is to finish in the top four in the WPIAL this year.”
Bowden’s efforts were part of a strong team effort for the Golden Tornado, who dominated in wins over North Hills (122½-27½) and Fox Chapel (114-36).
“Grace Nichols won the high jump at 5-3, which is the state-qualifying standard,” Williams said. “Ava Brewster won the mile and led off our winning 4x800 relay team. Madi McGarrah ran the mile for the first time in a scrimmage last week and finished second today ... a lot of good stuff for us.”
Adding to the success was Aubrey Rock, who took first place in the 100 dash and long jump.
Butler had its first scheduled meet of the season against McDowell last week canceled due to inclement weather. The Golden Tornado did attend a scrimmage at South Fayette last Thursday.
“Practices are great, but there’s nothing like getting out and actually competing,” said Butler boys coach Mike Seybert, who watched the Tornado thump both the Foxes (126-24) and Indians (110-40). “We’ve never waited this long for our first meet and were champing at the bit. I’m just excited to get a meet in.”
Seybert has a bevy of athletes who have added to his anticipation for 2024, senior David Graef being one of them. The latter, a senior, won the 100 dash with a time of 11.57 and ran a leg of the winning 4x100 team.
“After our meet against McDowell was canceled last week, I was lifting weights and my right hamstring started to get tight,” Graef said. “In the scrimmage, I had to pull up a good bit because of it. We have a great trainer, Heather (Cooper) and she helped me get ready and I felt really good today.
“I just want to drop time in all of my events this season and be the best I can be.”
Graef is a veteran of many big meets, including the annual showdowns with section foes North Allegheny and Seneca Valley.
“David and Landon (Lacey) have been members of our 4x100 relay team since they were freshmen and that rarely happens,” Seybert said.
Ayden Davis won the long jump and triple jump for the Golden Tornado.
Butler will compete in Saturday’s Butler County Classic at Slippery Rock High School. The Golden Tornado host North Allegheny next Wednesday.
Boys
Butler 110, North Hills 40
Butler 126, Fox Chapel 24
3,200 relay: Butler (Zach Slear, Travis Shaffer, Ethan Thomas, Drew Knight) 44.23; 110 hurdles: Mogire (NH) 16.34; 100 dash: David Graef (B) 11.57; 1,600 run: Drew Griffith (B) 4:21.3; 400 run: Lightner (NH) 50.39; 400 relay: Butler (Logan Ekas, Landon Lacey, Kevin Shriver, David Graef) 43.95; 300 hurdles: Mogire (NH) 42.17; 800 run: Rowan (FC) 2:01.14; 200 dash: Landon Lacey (B) 22.88; 3,200 run: Owen Dressler (B) 9:55.09; 1,600 relay: North Hills 3:34.06
Shot put: Terrell Holderman (B) 42-7.5; Discus: Leland Anderson (B) 108-2; Javelin: Martin (NH) 136-1; High jump: Orein McBride-Cager (B) 5-10; Long jump: Ayden Davis (B) 20-1.5; Triple jump: Ayden Davis (B) 41-2.5; Pole vault: Jason Wick (B) 11-6
Girls
Butler 122½, North Hills 27½
Butler 114, Fox Chapel 36
3,200 relay: Butler (Ava Brewster, Makayla McLister, Lyla Bowden, Madi McGarrah) 10:19.43; 100 hurdles: Lauren Bowden (B) 16.98; 100 dash: Aubrey Rock (B) 13.13; 1,600 run: Ava Brewster (B) 5:29.77; 400 run: Audrey Lehman (B) 1:01.41; 400 relay: Butler 51.74; 300 hurdles: Lauren Bowden (B) 46.40; 800 run: Madi McGarrah (B) 2:25.97; 200 dash: Jocie Slesinski (B) 28.17; 3,200 run: Rossner (FC) 12:09.45; 1,600 relay: Butler 4:16.23
Shot put: Conti (FC) 28-10; Discus: Conti (FC) 104-9; Javelin: Sarah Lucas (B) 89-6; High jump: Grace Nichols (B) 5-3; Long jump: Aubrey Rock (B) 17-1.5; Triple jump: Channing Popovich (B) 34-4; Pole vault: Evelyn Paserba (B) 9-6
