Butler’s boys relays lead the way to critical WPIAL dual-meet win over North Allegheny
BUTLER TWP — Butler’s boys track and field team showed off its depth Monday — even during a live event.
The Golden Tornado won a critical WPIAL Section 1-3A dual-meet over rival North Allegheny 82-68 despite competing without injured individual standouts Jace Gratzmiller, Ethan Thomas and Stainton Forbes. Eli Campbell was unavailable for the meet, as well.
“We’re a little banged up. This is a huge win for us,” Butler coach Mike Seybert said.
The victory moves the Tornado to 3-0, one win ahead of the Tigers (2-1).
The Tornado relay teams, dominant in recent years, led the way on the track again. After easily winning the 4x100 and 4x800 relay events, Butler was primed to close things out with a victory in the 4x400. But Regan Peth, the team’s No. 2 runner, injured a hamstring rounding the fourth turn and limped off the track.
With the team’s No. 1 relay unit thus disqualified, the Tornado’s No. 2 unit — which also competed in the event — took over. Mateo Saspe, Logan Rogers, Griffin Bauer and Noah Schoole nosed out the Tigers at the finish line. Schoole, the anchor runner, is a freshman.
“Technically, we don’t get credit for that win,” Seybert said. “But that was great to see.”
Butler’s 4x800 relay of Rogers, Saspe, Alex Motonis and freshman Landon Slear stayed unbeaten this season, as did the 4x100 contingent of Logan Ekas, Kevin Shriver, Isaac Miller and Carter Ekas. Peth, Miller, Carter Ekas and Slear comprised the Tornado’s No. 1 4x400 unit.
After anchoring the 4x100 victory, Carter Ekas returned to the track moments later to win the 400 meters.
“It’s a tough turnaround,” he said. “You’re out of breath before the (400) race even starts. You just have to go.
“I love being part of the relays here. Every time we compete in a race, we have a chance to break a record.”
Carter Ekas ran a leg of the Tornado’s 4x100 and 4x400 relays that broke school records last year with times of 41.85 seconds and 3:17.49, respectively. The latter time broke the WPIAL meet record while the former time was .03 seconds shy of doing the same thing.
“I just love getting the chance to run with older kids,” Slear said. “My older brother (Lucas) was on the 4x4 relay that broke the school record in 2022. He said he wants me to be on the relay that breaks the (current) record.”
When it comes to relays — like any other event — practice makes perfect for Butler.
“We mostly focus on individual events in practice, but we work hard on the relays once a week, particularly the handoffs,” Saspe said. “That’s such a critical part of any relay.”
Slear agreed.
“Smooth handoffs can be the difference between setting a record and being five seconds off it,” Slear said.
Seybert emphasized who competes on a relay unit can change during a season.
“We’ve had such success in those events that a lot of guys want to be part of it,” Seybert said. “But they understand that it’s not anyone’s relay, it’s Butler’s relay. The faster times are gonna get a shot at a spot. It’s up to the athlete to keep his spot.
“Chemistry and cohesion are important. If someone’s not adept at receiving the baton with momentum, but is strong coming out of the blocks, he may find himself in the opening spot. We piece it together as we go.”
Butler’s 4x800 relay has posted a time of 8:03 already this season and is primed to crack the program’s all-time top 10. The school record in the 4x800 is 7:39.98, set in 2001. That was the second fastest time in the nation.
Maddox Tack, a sophomore, won the triple jump for Butler with a leap of 41-11 — an improvement of 2-and-a-half feet over his distance at Saturday’s Butler County Classic.
The Tornado girls (2-1) dropped a 111-39 decision to North Allegheny (3-0). Zori Golojoh (3200 meters), Gracyn Vardy (high jump) and Ava DeLorenzo (long jump) won events for Butler.
“We lost a lot to graduation last year and we’re just trying to get a little better each day,” Butler girls coach John Willians said. “Sometimes you just run into a buzzsaw.”
The Tornado return to action Thursday in a five-team meet at South Fayette.
