Welcome back

By SAM TALLARICO Eagle Staff Writer

April 07, 2006 Last Updated: April 07, 2006 04:03 PM High School

Butler's Brian Burka won the 300-meter hurdles in 42.7 seconds as the Golden Tornado boys beat Shaler 116-34 Thursday.

Tornado teams rebound from loss

BUTLERTWP — After a rough meet Tuesday, the Butler boys and girls track teams were looking to finish the week on the upswing.

Against Shaler on Thursday, both squads were able to bounce back in style.

A sweep in all the field events helped the Butler boys (2-1) roll past the Titans 116-34 and the Tornado girls (2-1) hold off their pesky counterparts 87-63.

Just two days earlier, Butler lost to North Allegheny, the boys by eight points, the girls by 56.

"A lot of girls have been sick. The flu has been going around like crazy," said Butler girls coach Rod Harris. "And Amanda Malecky, she's been injured all year. We tried to run her Tuesday, but she just couldn't.

"Today, she won the 400 and got a good run in one of the relays,"he added.

Kendall Butch won the high jump (5 feet, 4 inches), triple jump (34-3 Qw ) and the pole vault (10-6) to highlight the field events.

"We've had three meets and she's won all nine of her events," said Harris.

Wins by Lyndsy Day (long jump), Jess Kummer (shot put), Katherine Sylvia (discus) and Erin Kelly (javelin) rounded out the field event wins.

On the track, Hannah Rekich and Lea Renwick led the way with two wins apiece. Rekich won the 100 hurdles (16.4 seconds) and 300 hurdles (49.2) while Renwick captured the 100 (13.1) and 200 (27.5).

Butler will compete against Seneca Valley Tuesday to wrap up a grueling three-game stretch early in the season.

"Overall, I told the girls this week they have to suck up everything they've got and run with their hearts in everything," said Harris. "We have to go 2-1 (in that stretch)."

The boys did not have as tough a time against the Titans as Brian Burka won the 100 hurdles (15.6) and the 300 hurdles (42.7), Doug Moran took the 100 (11.4) and 400 (53.9) and Rob Miller grabbed the 1,600 (4:47) and 800 ( 2:10.2) events.

"This is what we hoped for," said Butler boys coach Rick Schontz on the team's effort. "We backed off a little later in the meet. Shaler has some nice athletes and knew we'd be challenged."

Schontz was impressed with the distance runners, thanks to a sweep in the 3,200, led by Steve Monnie's 10:24.0. Miller also clocked a 52.9 in his leg of the 1,600-meter relay.

"He surprised all of us, including himself," said Schontz. "I hope he realizes how good he is. And Brian Burka, he had a (personal record) in the low hurdles. He's really coming along and he's only a sophomore."

In the field events, seven different athletes won the seven events and three of those grabbed a second place as well.

Bob Alexander won the triple jump and was second in the high jump, Matt Celestin won the long jump and was second in the triple jump and Andy Strutt won the high jump and runner-up in the pole vault.

Strutt, though, cleared the same height as winner Matt Feder at 12-0. Feder's leap was a personal best for him.

BoysButler 116, Shaler 343200-meter relay: Butler (Wade Grubbs, Ian Haley, Nathan Neff, Corey Haley) 8:41.9;

110-meter hurdles: Brian Burka (B) 15.6;

100-meter dash: Doug Moran (B) 11.4;

1,600-meter run: Rob Miller (B) 4:47;

400-meter dash: Doug Moran (B) 53.9;

400 meter relay: Shaler (Dunmyre, McGuff, Bane, Miller) 44.6;

300-meter hurdles: Brian Burka (B) 42.7;

800-meter run: Rob Miller (B) 2:10.2;

200-meter dash: Miller (S) 23.0;

3,200-meter run: Steve Monnie (B) 10:24;

1,600-meter relay: Shaler 3:39.9