WEST MIFFLIN — Is it possible for an entire team to be in the zone?

Apparently, the answer is yes.

The Butler girls track and field team delivered its first WPIAL Class AAA title since 2000 by defeating Hempfield, North Allegheny and Norwin Thursday at West Mifflin High.

"We knew it was going to come down to which team had the most guts," said first-year Butler coach Annessa Schnur. "We had girls set personal records in almost every event."

It was difficult for senior sprinter Casie Cygan to wrap her mind around what she and her teammates had accomplished.

"It really is overwhelming. It hasn't sunk in yet," she said.

To win the WPIAL title, the Golden Tornado had to defeat NA, the team they finished behind in Section 3 in the regular season, and Norwin, the four-time defending champion.

"Our seniors had never beaten NA or Norwin," said Schnur. "It's a good feeling."

Butler received first-place finishes from Tara Lowe (100-meter dash), Meghan Studds (triple jump), Bri Lumley (shot put) and the 400 relay squad of Paige Allen, Lowe, Kaitlyn Wetzel and Jasmine Bailey.

Butler's second-place efforts included Danica Snyder (1,600 run), Bailey (400), Studds (long jump), Jeralyn Smith (triple jump), Ava Bonetti (discus) and Marina Gracik (javelin).

"Second- and third-place finishes were very important today," said Schnur, who was a member of four straight WPIAL team championships at Butler from 1997 to 2000.

"I've been part of it from both sides now, and it's definitely more stressful being the coach," she said. "All you can do is put the girls in the right spot and see what happens."

"This title means so much for us," said distance runner Katresa Savisky. "Coach gets so emotional when she talks about it and what the teams before us were able to do. We joined them today."

In a sport that places great emphasis on individual achievements, Butler's girls pulled together to bring glory back to the entire program.

"We've trained for this for years," said Lowe. "This is awesome."

"What a great way to end our season as a team," said Gracik.

Class AAA Boys

Seneca Valley didn't waste its trip to the WPIAL team championships.

Making the program's third appearance at the WPIAL title meet, the Raiders placed second, their best finish ever.

SV defeated Butler (82-68) and Hempfield (77-73) and lost to champion Canon McMillan (90-60).

P.J. Blinn won the 100- and 200-meter dashes, Steve Swanson took first in the discus and Mitch Codd in the pole vault.

The Raiders 400 relay team of Evan Hetzel, Forrest Barnes, Andrew Kriley and Blinn also won its event.

"It's tough to just get out of our section," said SV coach Ray Peaco. "There were four great teams here today. For us to finish runner-up, it's a great reward for all the hard work the guys have put in."

n Butler placed fourth after falling Thursday to SV, Hempfield (90-55) and Canon McMillan (92-58).

The Golden Tornado received first-place efforts from Eli Christy (400), Spencer Murray (triple jump) and Nick Martin (shot put).

"This was a great experience for us, especially for the younger kids we have coming back," said Butler coach Rick Schontz. "We won a section championship this year. The ultimate goal is always to win the WPIAL, but we fell one step short of that."