Rain delay: Storm suspends key Section 6-AA track meet

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Waynesburg Central’s Jack Ricciuti clears a hurdle on his way to winning the 300 intermediate hurdles during last Thursday’s Section 6-AA meet at California.

Jim Downey | Herald-Standard

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California’s Niamh McClaflin (left) leads Waynesburg Central’s Nate Fox and Bentworth’s Ryan Colbert around the track in the 1,600 during last Thursday’s Section 6-AA meet at California. The meet was suspended because of thunderstorms.

Jim Downey | Herald-Standard

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Waynesburg Central’s Teagan Crouse lands his attempt in the triple jump during last Thursday’s Section 6-AA meet at California.

Jim Downey | Herald-Standard

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COAL CENTER – Sole possession of first place in Section 6-AA was up for grabs last Thursday afternoon when California hosted Waynesburg Central, Beth-Center and Bentworth.

The Trojans and Raiders had to wait a few days longer, though, to decide which team would get control of the section because a thunderstorm rolled through around 7 p.m., leading to the suspension of the meet.

California was set to finish the meet against Waynesburg later on Thursday.

Waynesburg held a 60-49 lead against California with the 800, 200, 3,200 and 1,600 relay remaining on the track, and one more round of throws in the javelin.

Rain plagued the meet throughout, but reached its worst as the Raiders’ Nate Fox was about to lead the pack around the track for the second time in the 800.

Fox also ran on the Raiders’ 3,200 relay that finished second overall and was second to Niamh McClaflin in the 1,600.

“Our 4×800 was good. Our fourth leg got a cramp (in the last 200 meters),” said Fox. “The mile was tough competition. (McClaflin) just played that really tactfully. He just sat in front of me. I should’ve beat him.

“I was too slow in the mile. The times were really slow. Weather conditions were good for the mile. No rain. It was just a bad day.”

Waynesburg’s 400 relay (46.54), Ace Litwinovich (110 high hurdles), Jack Ricciuti (400, 55.73; high jump, 5-8), Zack Andrews (300 intermediate hurdles, 44.61), Mason Schroyer (pole vault, 12-0), Roan Tustin (shot put, 38-8), and Jeffrey Blair (discus, 108-4) finished first overall.

The Raiders swept the discus for nine key points.

The Trojans’ Carter Kent usually runs the 1,600, but was put in the 400 instead with the hope he’d pick up key points. Kent was edged at the finish by Ricciuti by .19 seconds.

He ran the opening leg to help the 3,200 relay finish first and has yet to run the 3,200.

“We ran a good time (in the 3,200 relay). I was just trying to hold with (Waynesburg’s) lead guy to give the next runner a good position,” said Kent. “It was the first time I ran the 400 in an actual meet. No, it was not fun. I hit that backstretch, and I hit that wind and it held me back a little bit.”