Butler again aiming for WPIAL title

By SAM TALLARICO Eagle Staff Writer

March 23, 2007 Last Updated: March 23, 2007 01:17 PM High School

The Butler girls track and field team will lean on Hannah Rekich's efforts in the hurdles as the Golden Tornado pushes for the WPIAL title.

The Butler girls track and field team found itself falling a bit short at the WPIALClass AAA Championships last spring, but things are a bit more encouraging this year.

With several top athletes in each event, the Tornado looked primed for another run at the WPIAL crown.

"In past years, we've always had a good, solid team," said Butler coach Rod Harris. "But then we'd get beat by North Allegheny or Norwin in the finals because of depth.

"We knew we could win a first place in events, but there was no depth," Harris added.

With a lineup of Amy Achesinski (throws), Tess Crispin (distance), Hannah Rekich (hurdles), Lea Renwick (sprints), Jess Vernon (distance) and Amanda Malecky (middle distance) leading the way, plus a steady group of juniors and sophomores, the Tornado appear to be the team to beat.

Plus, Butler has 37 freshmen, such as Olivia Bresnahan, LauraCaparosa, Cassie Cygan, Tara Lowe and Brynn Maxwell, joining the squad.

Seneca Valley, which returns a strong group of athletes that includes Da'Lynn Mills, Aly Triscuit, Jen Boyd and Emily Wolfarth, look to challenge the Golden Tornado.

Moniteau will try to capture its third consecutive Keystone Shortway Athletic Conference title, but Karns City has a large contingent back to wrest it away.

Coach: Rod Harris, fourth yearLast season: 10-3 overall and third at the WPIAL finalsTop returners: Seniors Amy Achesinski (throws), Tess Crispin (distance), Hannah Rekich (hurdles), Lea Renwick (sprints), Jess Vernon (distance); juniors Amanda Malecky (middle distance), Erica Miller (hurdles), Krista Scott (hurdles, jumps), Skye Sankey (pole vault), Katherine Sylvia (throws), Ashley Lotz (jumps, transfer from Riverside); sophomore Rachel Doutt (throws), Kelly Huth (sprints), Katie Wahl (sprints)Strengths: Quality and depth in each eventWeaknesses: Large freshman class (37) without varsity experienceCoach's comment: "This year we have a lot of senior and junior leadership to pull for first places, but we have a big freshman class. I see some already as some of our top point scorers."

Coach: Wayne Roccia, 27th yearLast season: 7-3 overall, tied for third in the sectionTop returners: Seniors Annie Fiscus (hurdles), Da'Lynn Mills (jumps, sprints), Bria Nelko (pole vault), Veronica Pecora (middle distance), Sarah Sharrar (javelin), Aly Triscuit (sprints, relays); juniors Jen Boyd (jumps, 400), Angelika Delerme (jumps), Logan Gamelier (sprints), Emily Wolfarth (distance); sophomores Joelle Scarnati (distance); Evanne Giuliano (middle distance), Jenny Jergel (sprints)Strengths: Jumps, distance, middle distanceWeaknesses: Throws, pole vaultCoach's comment: "We lost Ashley Turici and Chelsey Pavlick, our main throwers, so that's an Achilles heel. We have a nice nucleus (of) Da'Lynn Mills, Aly Triscuit, Jen Boyd, Emily Wolfarth. Those girls got a lot of points for us last year. We should be in a lot of meets."

Coach: Tom Hoffmann, fourth yearLast season: 3-6 overallTop returners: Seniors Sarah Cooper (throws), Melissa Balsiger (jumps, hurdles); juniors Carol Cress (throws), Emily Huselton (sprints), Jeannie Sullivan (hurdles); sophomores Audrey Scott (distance), Alyssa Kunkel (distance), Sarah Robb (jumps)Strengths: Throws, hurdlesWeaknesses: Numbers, depth in several eventsCoach's comment: "We thinned out this year. We had 22 or 23 letterwinners coming back, but only 15 or 16 came out. I thought we'd have a nice junior class. We have quality girls, but we don't have a lot of depth."

Coach: Joelle Patterson, first yearLast season: 7-2 last year, third in the sectionTop returners: Senior Megan Chakan (sprints), Laura Heltman (middle distance), Stephanie Yeo (distance), Amber Aiken (hurdles); juniors Brittany Jones (javelin), Brittany Morgan (distance), Hannah Steibel (relays), Victoria Gressang (javelin), Chloe Pierre (distance)Strengths: Middle distance, distanceWeaknesses: Throws, depthCoach's comment: "I think we have some good, young talent coming up and we're filling out the team."

Coach: Bill Dillen, 14th yearLast season: 10-2 overall, second in the section and WPIALteam playoff participantTop returners: Seniors Kristen Prazenica (distance), Maurielle Blake (jumps), Allison McClelland (jumps), Cassie Smolic (throws); junior Christine Marty (middle distance)Strengths: Jumps, distanceWeaknesses: Throws, hurdles, inexperienceCoach's comment: "We are a very young team, the youngest team I've ever had. We have 71 kids out, but just young."

Coach: Mike Kish, 28th yearLast season: 6-0, region championsTop returners: Seniors Brittany Lyons (distance), Allison Plummer (distance), Lea Roth (hurdles); juniors Calley Bridges (distance), Alyssa Martinez (sprints), Sarah Opp (distance), Melanie Prelec (sprints, javelin), Shanea Raabe (sprints, throws); sophomores Candace Hogue (hurdles, sprints), Elissa McCune (sprints), Brittany Richter (jumps, middle distance), Rebecca Shaffer (distance), Angela Shaffer (hurdles, high jump), Chelsea Stanley (jumps, 400)Strengths: Distance, sprints, hurdlesWeaknesses: Shot put, discus, jumpsCoach's comment: "I loved that team last year. You could throw out an Abbey Basta or Casey McCaffrey or that relay and know they'd win the event. That's the only element we'll miss this year."

Coach: Dave Gatewood, third yearLast season: 5-3 overallTop returners: Seniors Katie Zinkham (hurdles, 1,600 relay), Jill Arnold (hurdles, 1,600 relay), Helen Phipps (middle distance/distance); juniors Kristy Woods (throws), Lisa Schnelzer (sprints, pole vault); sophomore Megan DeGraaf (middle distance)Strengths: Throws, middle distanceWeaknesses: SprintsCoach's comment: "I know as a fact we'll be competitive. We will be well-balanced."

Coach: Tom Wagner, first yearLast season: 8-1 in the KSAC for second placeTop returners: Seniors Xandria White (sprints), Stephanie Isaaco (middle distance), Sarah Hepler (javelin), Tausha Bowser (pole vault), Courtney Slagle (jumps); juniors Allyson Kepple (middle distance), Kylee Rankin (hurdles), Audra Buechele (hurdles), Michelle Sweeney (pole vault), Alyssa Callender (throws), Karyssa Callender (throws), Katie Weibel (javelin), Melissa Sypulski (javelin); sophomores Alaina Burns (javelin); Amber Saunders (jumps), Samantha Bly (jumps)Strengths: Sprints, jumpsWeaknesses: DistanceCoach's comment: "We're inexperienced in distance but we're counting on a few freshmen (Nicole Herman, Hannah Beck, Kayce Grimm, Shenoa Hendell, Sarah Young) to help out."

Coach: Sue Scialabba, fifth yearLast season: 9-0 overall, KSAC championsTop returners: Seniors Kendra Hall (throws), Amy Gladd (800, triple jump), Amanda Gladd (hurdles, long jump), Sam Kristufek (sprints), Nikki Stiner (sprints)Strengths: Throws, middle distanceWeaknesses: Depth (20 on team)Coach's comment: "I don't want to call it a rebuilding year. We do have some talent. We're setting our goals high and we're concentrating on a championship again. ..."

Coach: Randy Carmichael, 18th yearLast season: 5-4 overallTop returners: Seniors Tiffany Corle (javelin, high jump, sprints), Meagan Booth (jumps), Heather Booth (pole vault), Danyelle Painter (throws), Janele Divins (sprints), Heather Yeany (field events), Ashley Montgomery (hurdles), Amber Wiant (hurdles); sophomores Amanda Barker (middle distance, sprints), Jenna Holden (high jump, sprints)Strengths: Jumps, throws, hurdlesWeaknesses: DistanceCoach's comment: "We have our normal size, 35 to 40 kids, with a nice group of freshmen. We're fortunate enough to have some with a couple years of experience."

Coach: Dave Sherman, JrLast season: 0-8 in the KSACTop returners: Juniors Jessica Henry (throws), Kristen Rose (sprints, jumps), Kate Best (sprints, jumps), Jaimee Anderson (middle distance, triple jump); sophomore Shelbi Cervenec (shot put)Strengths: Sprints, jumpsWeaknesses: Inexperience, as about half the team are freshmen, depth in most eventsCoach's comment: "A lot of these kids play basketball and volleyball together. They kind of stick together. Our strength could be our usefulness, if nothing else. We hope to breed a positive attitude."