May 2, 2002 By Jim Downey 3 min read

The Falcons juggled the lineup a bit Wednesday, and it paid some dividends at the WPIAL Class AAA team semifinals with a split at Hempfield. The Golden Lions defeated both Connellsville and Laurel Highlands to advance to the team championship next week. Greensburg Salem beat Laurel Highlands, 99-51, and Connellsville, 107-43. The Falcons defeated Laurel Highlands, 85-65, for a victory in the triangular.

Connellsville had its hands full with top-seeded Greensburg Salem, but managed to even the score from its Section 2-AAA loss to the Mustangs of a couple of weeks ago.

Clint Richter was the top thrower in the meet, defeating all comers in the shot put and discus. Brian Burden finished first among all sprinters in the 200 and gave Connellsville a 1-2 punch against Laurel Highlands with B.J. Straughters in the 100.

“We tried to beat both teams. One worked, one didn’t,” Connellsville coach Jeff Galand said. “We went 1-2 in both the 100 and 400 against Laurel Highlands, but Greensburg Salem is good all over.”

It’s not uncommon for athletes to get dinged up at this time of the year, something both Galand and Laurel Highlands boys coach Bob Costello will have to deal with.

“Mace (Copeland) hurt himself. I think it was his hamstring, but I think he’ll be ready for individuals (next week),” Galand said of his star jumper.

Mustangs’ pole vaulter Brandon Mahoney had a tough day, hurting his leg on his final attempt at 11-6. Costello will take it day by day, but feels the county champion should be ready to go for next week qualifiers.

Laurel Highlands had several athletes finish first over all as well. Tony Patitucci won the javelin with a throw of over 145-feet. Matt Humbert was the top runner in the 110 high hurdles (15.8). The 400 relay team of Bryan Florkevich, Garret Brain, Corey Nesser and Jack Rose finished in 44.2 seconds. Adam Shinsky was strong in the 800, beating all runners with a time of 2:03.

The meet panned out as Costello expected and as it became apparent the meet was lost, he began to pull out some athletes in the later events.

“I wasn’t worried about Connellsville. Greensburg Salem was the team to beat. They had good individuals and their second and third guys aren’t that bad,” Costello explained. “When it’s over, it’s over. We didn’t hurt them enough in enough places.

“We have a big meet coming up next Tuesday (the WPIAL Individual qualifier) and I pulled some guys out.”

Connellsville finishes the season 8-2 overall while the Mustangs end with a mark of 7-2.

Hempfield 1061/2, Laurel Highlands 431/2; Laurel Highlands 95, Derry 55; Laurel Highlands 94 2/3, Thomas Jefferson 55 1/3; Laurel Highlands 81, Mount Pleasant 68 – The Lady Spartans advanced through WPIAL Girls Class AAA Team semifinals by defeating all four teams gathered at Hempfield.

The Fillies beat all teams save Hempfield on the strength of several overall winning performances. Mikie Monaghan won the 800 in 2:24 and joined Danielle LaPresta, Jessi Evans and Deena Blanc to beat all teams in the 1,600 relay.

Deena Blanc was the top 300 intermediate hurdler with a time of 47.8 seconds. Diane Gmiter was the top thrower for the Fillies, winning both the javelin (117-3) and shot put (37-61/2). Lauren Slampak rounded out the top overall performances for the Fillies by winning the 200 (27.7).

Several members of the Laurel Highlands boys and girls teams will join Connellsville individual’s in Friday’s Baldwin Invitational.