Battling the elements: Lady Raiders sweep Section 6-AA quadrangular
WAYNESBURG – The weather last Thursday afternoon wasn’t ideal for a track meet (or anything else outside, for that matter), but the Waynesburg Central girls battled the elements for a Section 6-AA quadrangular sweep in the season opening meet.
The Lady Raiders defeated West Greene (126-18), Charleroi (122-28), and Benworth (112-38). Charleroi picked a pair of victories with wins against West Greene (98-32) and Bentworth (89-50). Bentworth defeated West Greene, 67-28.
The Lady Raiders’ Lake Litwinovich had an all-around solid performance with overall first-place finishes in the 300 intermediate hurdles (53.90), long jump (14-1½), and 800 (3:11.40), and was second overall in the 100 high hurdles (17.9).
The senior had bursts of activity with the high hurdles sandwiched around attempts in the long jump and a quick turnover with the 800 right after the 300 intermediate hurdles.
“I think my coach wants me to get as many points as I can, so I decided to run the 800,” explained Litwinovich. “I ran the 800 a lot in my sophomore year and I stopped running it last year.”
But, the 300 intermediate hurdles is her focus.
“I started running the (intermediate hurdles) last year. I usually run the 400, but I started running the 300s and I had a better time,” said the senior.
Litwinovich has a plan mapped out what she looks to accomplish in her final track season.
“Yes, I am (realizing it’s final track season). I just want to get a good time, every time. I want to get 48 (seconds). It’s about three, four more seconds (faster),” said Litwinovich. “Once I get all the stuttering out of all my hurdles (through the middle of the race), it should be a pretty fast time.
“That would break the school record and more than likely qualify me for the WPIALs. The goal is to make the WPIAL meet.”
Litwinovich added, “I’m hoping to do that (drop time) in the next two weeks. (Her time) usually drops a lot. I usually get a pretty good rhythm and once I find that rhythm, it goes (lower).”
Kali Shriver (100, 13.70), the 400 relay (55.10), Railey Bochna (high jump, 4-8; triple jump, 29-2), Cheyenne Pierson (discus, 72-4; shot put, 25-8), Brynn Kirby (javelin, 90-6), and Jaden Tretinik (pole vault, 7-0) all had overall first-place finishes for Waynesburg.
Charleroi’s Ella Sypolt was second overall in the 400 (1:06.80) and secured second place against West Greene and Bentworth in the 100.
Sypolt said she was affected by the adverse weather conditions, which included periods of rain, sleet, snow and sunshine in low-40 degree temperatures.
“I could be better. The cold really affects me a lot. The legs, they get stiff,” said Sypolt.
Sypolt seeks to earn a return trip to the district championship.
“The 400 is my main race. My goal is a minute flat, as of now. My PR right now is 1:03. I take it day-by-day to take my time down,” said Sypolt.
The Lady Cougars’ Eden Smith (100 high hurdles, 16.90) also had an overall first-place finish.
West Greene’s Eryka Hackney shared first place in the 400 with Sypolt and won the 200 in 28.90 seconds. She finished first against Bentworth and Charleroi in the 100.
“It’s hard to breathe in the weather,” said Hackney.
The rain and snow passed by the time the 400 rolled around. Hackney had a spirited run against Sypolt.
“The last 150 meters I felt I needed to go,” said Hackney, adding, “The 400 is definitely my favorite. I’m hoping to get the 400 down to a minute, a 1:01 maybe.”
Bentworth’s Amber Sallee anchored the 3,200 relay to a first-place finish. The senior was second to teammate Jesse Laskey in the 1,600 and won the 3,200.
“I was hoping to stick with my last time I had in our scrimmage, but it was a little above that. It was nicer weather,” said Sallee.
Sallee has set her goals for improvement by the end of the season.
“I’m just trying to PR in every meet (in the 3,200) and improve my times,” said Sallee. “I would like to break 14 minutes, get in the 13 (minute) range in the two-mile.
“I would like to get in the lower six-minute mark in the mile.”
Sallee added, “My goal is to PR and win some races, and get better by the end of the year.”