JACKSON TWP — High school track and field teams do not get to the WPIAL team championship meet without getting some standout individual efforts along the way.

Both Seneca Valley teams hosted a semifinal meet Tuesday and received several such performances in dominating their competition.

The boys rolled to wins over New Castle (111-34), Chartiers Valley (111-39) and Mars (115-45) while the girls easily dispatched Hampton (108-42), Belle Vernon (110-40) and Chartiers Valley (113 2/3-36 1/3).

Both SV teams emerged from a very strong Section 3, the Raider girls in a three-way tie for the section title along with Butler and North Allegheny.

“I think the WPIAL did a nice job. They were on top of things,” said SV coach Ray Peaco. “With us and NA both hosting meets, they saw us as two of the top seeds.”

Both SV squads will compete for a Class AAA district title Monday at Peters Township High School.

The Raider boys claimed 13 overall first-place finishes out of 18 events. Junior Gavin Thomas earned one of them with a school-record distance of 22 feet, 6½ inches in the long jump. He went 22-6 in a scrimmage in mid-March.

“I was definitely a bit surprised I went that far so early in the season,” said Thomas. “I'm glad I've been able to stay consistent.”

Thomas was SV's top point scorer in the long jump two years ago when the Raiders claimed the WPIAL title. Last year, he and his teammates just missed out on making the playoffs.

“Getting back, beating Butler to do it, was great,” said Thomas. “Now we get a second chance at NA and that's fantastic. Both teams are really strong and have depth. That will make the difference, those second- and third-place finishes.”

The Raiders had several boys win multiple events overall — Luke Smith (110, 300 hurdles), Tyler Yurich (100, 200), Sam Owori (800, 1,600) and Zack Duda (high jump, triple jump).

The Raiders lost to NA earlier this season, 78-72.

“Two years ago, we lost to NA, 76-74, in the regular season, then beat them in the final,” said Peaco. “I'm not saying that means it's going to happen again, but as long as you get there, you've got a shot.”

Joining the Raiders and Tigers in the final will be Mt. Lebanon and Hempfield.

Mars' boys entered the meet as undefeated Section 4 champions. The Planets had three overall winners Tuesday — Jacob Mesnar in the shot put, Hunter Boyd in the discus and Tommy Spreng in the pole vault.

Aside from losing to Seneca Valley, Mars lost to Chartiers Valley (76-74) and defeated New Castle (85-65).

“We knew Seneca Valley was going to be very tough,” said Mars coach Natalee Bufalini. “Our goal was to be competitive with Chartiers Valley and New Castle and we did that. I'm very proud of the boys.”

Katelyn Caccamo put a lot of work in during the off-season in the pole vault. She, and the Raiders, have benefitted greatly.

The senior broke the school record in the event last month with a height of 10-6. She won here Tuesday with an effort of 10 feet.

“Over the winter, I went to a clinic at Westminster and I've put a lot of practice time in here at Seneca Valley,” said Caccamo. “I've also moved to a longer pole and that has helped.”

The work has also led to Caccamo extending her vaulting career. She committed on Monday to attend West Virginia University. But she has business to take care of before leaving Seneca Valley, beginning with Monday's team championship meet, which will include Butler, Norwin and North Allegheny.

“It's awesome that my individual success has contributed to team success,” said Caccamo. “It's motivating because you want to score as many points as possible for the team.”

SV senior Lauren Chappell won three events, including the 100 hurdles, 300 hurdles and the long jump. Her time in the 100 hurdles of 14.93 broke her own school record.

Girls

Seneca Valley 108, Hampton 42

SV 113.67, Chartiers Valley 36.33

Seneca Valley 110, Belle Vernon 40

3,200 relay: Seneca Valley 10:07.97; 100 hurdles: Lauren Chappell (SV) 14.93; 100 dash: Corin Trejchel (SV) 13.12; 1,600 run: Thoghorton (CV) 5:15.04; 400 run: Fischer (H) 57.7; 400 relay: Hampton 51.37; 300 hurdles: Lauren Chappell (SV) 48.5; 800 run: Karsyn Spears (SV) 2:19.34; 200 dash: Seitzinger (BV) 26.82; 3,200 run: Lizzy White (SV) 11:41.54; 1,600 relay: Hampton 4:10.05

Shot put: Johnson (BV) 31-0; Discus: Johnson (BV) 107-11; Javelin: Weightman (BV) 108-7; High jump: Schepner (H) 5-1; Long jump: Lauren Chappell (SV) 16-8; Triple jump: Francis (CV) 35-6; Pole vault: Katelyn Caccamo (SV) 10-0

Boys

Seneca Valley 111, New Castle 34

Seneca Valley 111, Chartiers Valley 39

Seneca Valley 115, Mars 45

Chartiers Valley 76, Mars 74

Mars 85, New Castle 65

3,200 relay: Seneca Valley 8:45.04; 110 hurdles: Luke Smith (SV) 15.79; 100 dash: Tyler Yurich (SV) 11.04; 1,600 run: Sam Owori (SV) 4:34.34; 400 run: Corbin (NC) 51.41; 400 relay: Seneca Valley 43.27; 300 hurdles: Luke Smith (SV) 40.16; 800 run: Sam Owori (SV) 2:00.99; 200 dash: Tyler Yurich (SV) 22.88; 3,200 run: Noah Petersen (SV) 10:02.08; 1,600 relay: Chartiers Valley 3:35.42

Shot put: Jacob Mesnar (M) 41-10½; Discus: Hunter Boyd (M) 134-4; Javelin: Seth Ketler (SV) 143-9; High jump: Zack Duda (SV) 5-9; Long jump: Gavin Thomas (SV) 22-6½; Triple jump: Zack Duda (SV) 42-7½; Pole vault: Tommy Spreng (M) 11-0