May 16, 2002 By Jim Downey 5 min read

The goals may vary this afternoon at Baldwin High School for local track and field athletes, but all the boys and girls from Connellsville, Laurel Highlands and Uniontown will have their eyes on the big prize – a WPIAL medal and a hopeful trip to the PIAA Championships. The top three finishers in each of the 18 events automatically qualify for the state meet at Shippensburg University on May 24 and 25 while those finishing fourth through eighth need to hit the qualifying time, distance or height to advance.

Albert Gallatin didn’t formally compete in a section this spring and has no track facilities, but that didn’t hold back Vaughn Jones. The Colonial jumper finished second in the central qualifier at Hempfield with a leap of 21-13/4.

Connellsville will have a strong contingent of boys and girls looking for a return trip to the states or, for many, their first WPIAL medal and state berth.

Shannon Kovach realizes she might be a year away from serious medal contention, but the first-year junior will be running for a bit of Connellsville history by setting a new standard in the 1,600. Kovach ran a 5:34 at qualifiers so she’ll need to slice around four seconds off her pace this afternoon.

“I’m all around it,” Kovach said of her recent times. “This is my first time in the WPIALs. I don’t want to set my goals too high all-around. I need to shave off four seconds. I’ve had a good season. If not this year (setting the record), then I’ll look for it next year.”

Christina Roadman gained entry in two events, though she feels she is stronger in the discus at this point in the season as opposed to the javelin.

“I’m ready. I’ve had good practices. I’d like to be good in both (the discus and javelin), but I feel stronger in the discus right now,” the junior thrower said. “I’m throwing against a lot of competition. That’s good. It makes me throw better.”

Roadman will have a familiar face around the throwing pits with freshman Amanda Sines qualifying in the shot put. Freshman Lauren McCormick (400) and junior Jaynece Stafford (high jump) will also be making their first trip to the district finals.

The Falcons will be represented equally in the field and track with Clint Richter gunning for his second trip to the state meet in the discus. His best throw in the central qualifier was 141-feet, but the senior expects his best is yet to come.

“I’m feeling really good. I try to not think about (the competition). I want to keep my head clear,” Richter said. “I know what to look forward to this year and I know what I have to do. I have to throw 151-feet (PIAA qualifying). This past Tuesday and Wednesday my throws have been really good.”

Frank Kolarik has set his sights high with the junior aspiring for a WPIAL and a hopeful PIAA berth in the 300 intermediate hurdles. He believes he has the right stuff at the right time of the year.

“I think I’m as good as I’ve been this season and I think I can be a lot better. I need to run at least 40 (seconds) flat,” said Kolarik, who qualified with a time of 42.1. “I like to be in a faster heat. It’s nerve-wracking, but I have more confidence to run my best time.”

Also securing spots were Brian Burden in the 400, B.J. Straughters in the 100 and Ryan Rumbaugh in the shot put.

Laurel Highlands boys coach Bob Costello will have a hectic day following his troops around from the field to the track.

Nathan Forse (400), Adam Shinsky (800) and the 400 relay team will compete on the track while Jerry Powell and Dan Partyka (discus), Tony Patitucci (long jump), and Brandon Mahoney (pole vault) will be throwing and jumping in the field events.

Diane Gmiter threw a state qualifying mark in the shot put at qualifiers, so the junior has to be rated as a strong candidate to advance. Gmiter also qualified in the javelin.

The 1,600 relay team advanced to today’s meet in school record time with Mikie Monaghan, the anchor leg, securing spots in both the 800 and 1,600 and Danielle LaPresta doing the same in the 400.

Though no Uniontown boys were able to advance, a handful of Lady Red Raiders were able to do so.

Michelle DeShields is a strong contender to medal and advance in the high and long jumps. DeShields also runs the anchor leg of the 400 relay.

Megan Coneybeer won her heat, then finished with a strong race in the semifinals to earn a spot in the 100 high hurdles. Scarlett Graham used a strong push in the final 200 meters to grab a berth in the 1,600, then later gathered herself for one of the six qualifying berths in the southern qualifier in the 3,200.