May 4, 2010 By Jim Downey 3 min read

Leopards seek berth in finals Belle Vernon advanced to the WPIAL Boys Team Track & Field playoffs for the first time in 2009, and now the Leopards have their sights set high for a berth into the team finals. Belle Vernon ran the table in Section 2-AAA for the second straight year for the section crown.

The Lady Leopards fell a meet short with a loss to Derry, but their second-place finish secured their first post-season team playoff berth.

The Southmoreland boys won yet another Section 4-AA title, but as a Class AAA team, so the Scotties join Belle Vernon, Gateway and Trinity at host Hempfield Wednesday afternoon at 3 p.m. The Lady Leopards are also at Hempfield, along with Bethel Park and Gateway.

Belle Vernon comes off a strong performance at the WCCA Track & Field Championships where Matt Green was the Combined MVP and the Leopards tied with Hempfield in the team standings, but winning on more first-place finishes, with 103 points.

The performance in last Saturday’s WCCA meet gives Belle Vernon coach Chris Stasicha confidence as his Leopards move into the playoffs.

“With the almighty power of the Internet, we were able to find out about teams,” said the sixth-year coach. “Gateway’s greatest asset is its speed. We had more first places than Hempfield (at the county meet); it’s a matter of seconds and thirds. We can’t compete with Hempfield’s depth.

“I was so proud of those boys Saturday (in the county meet).”

Since the Leopards cede nine points in the pole vault, Belle Vernon must maximize all scoring opportunities, especially with first-place finishes.

“We feel we can get more firsts. We’ll put our coaching heads together. We’ll go down swinging,” said Stasicha. “The boys want to go a further step (to the team finals). We grew up a little bit last year.

“It should be an interesting meet.”

As for the Lady Leopards, Stasicha said, “It’s the first time for the girls in the playoffs. We have some strong competition, so we’ll use it as a glorified practice to get ready for the individual qualifiers.”

The Uniontown boys finished second to Belle Vernon in Section 2-AAA, and join Canon-McMillan, Hampton and West Allegheny at North Allegheny.

The Waynesburg Central boys are off to Mars with Mohawk, South Park and Washington for one of the Class AA semifinals. The Lady Raiders are also at Mars, with Mohawk, Riverview and South Park.

The Southmoreland girls are off to Riverside, facing Deer Lakes, Quaker Valley and Shenango.

Only the top-scoring team at each of the four sites advances to the WPIAL Team Championships May 13, at West Mifflin.