Butler boys claim gold
BUTLER TWP — Butler managed to open its own invitational in style.
In the first track final of Friday's event, the Golden Tornado swept up first-place honors in the 3,200-meter relay with a time of eight minutes, 19.92 seconds.
The team of Jordan Cratty, Jeromee Geibel, Josh Rader and Sean Rundle finished ahead of West Mifflin and Gateway, respectively.
“It's a huge deal for us to win this event at our invite,” said Rader, a sophomore. “And we were pretty happy with our time, too.”
“That foursome just took 10 seconds off its best time against Seneca Valley,” said Butler coach Rick Schontz of the team's first-place time of 8:15.02 in Monday's dual meet victory. “They did a great job today.
“We're looking to hit the state-qualifying time (8:02.04) and I really think they have the potential to do that.”
Butler's success was not limited to the track. Senior Travis Reed was tops in the discus after an effort of 155 feet, 7 1/2 inches landed him more than 6 feet ahead of eventual Field MVP Anthony Bauccio of Gateway.
“Winning this event at this invite has been a goal of mine,” said Reed, with his first-place medal hanging around his neck. “I think I was third last year, but I was going to do whatever it took to win here today.”
Reed usually also throws the shot put in the Tornado's dual meets, but stuck with just the discus on Friday.
“Last month, I was experimenting with throwing the javelin and hurt my shoulder,” he said. “I didn't compete in the shot today, but I'm hoping to be 100 percent soon.”
Grove City's Dan Jaskowak is used to big wins and he added another one to the list. His finish of 1:57.6 in the 800 run earned him first place.
His specialties are the distance events, evidenced by his three combined District 10 titles in the 1,600 and 3,200 run, to go along with two crowns in cross country.
“I normally don't run the 800, but every now and then at an invite, I do,” he said. “I always have fun when I do compete in it.
“Ideally, I was hoping to get down to 1:55, which is my personal record. But I'm happy with anything below two minutes. Right now, I've got my eye on making states in the mile run.”
Mars' boys closed the meet by capturing the 1,600 relay. Nate Bayuk, Ori Rinaman, Scott Slaney and Chris Smith ran a 3:29.83 — 5.63 seconds ahead of the foursome from Fox Chapel.
Notes: Track MVP went to Clay Allen from West Middlesex, who won both the 100 and 200 dash. ... Fox Chapel placed first in the team standings, followed by Gateway.
