Fayette County Track & Field Meet set Saturday
The Fayette County Coaches Association Track & Field Meet returns to Laurel Highlands this year with all seven county schools plus Belle Vernon sending at least one representative for the first time since being revived in 2000. The throwing events will begin at 10 a.m. with the heats of the 110 and 100 high hurdles and the 100 starting at 11. Finals in the track events should begin around 11:45. Cost is $2 for adults and $1 for students.
There promises to be a quality field in both girls and boys events on the track and in the field.
Laurel Highlands’ Michol Monaghan, Scarlett Graham of Uniontown and Connellsville’s Shannon Kovack are in the 1,600 and all three have faced each other in section competition. Laurel Highlands’ Diane Gmiter and a pair of Connellsville throwers, Christina Roadman and Amanda Sines, are strong contenders for any one of the three gold medals offered.
The boys distance races have a lot of talent. Albert Gallatin’s Patrick Reagan, Belle Vernon’s Ryan Moravec, Andy Gleason and Kevin Monaghan of Uniontown, Laurel Highlands’ Larry Brink and Ben Shinsky, Brownsville’s Josh Crable and a quartet of Connellsville runners, Kenny King, Pat Mullaney, Brad Showman, and Nick Bailey, should provide an entertaining afternoon on the track.
The boys also have three excellent hurdlers in Matt Humbert of Laurel Highlands, Connellsville’s Frank Kolarik and Brownsville’s Joe Cardine.
The coaching staffs, like the athletes, are looking forward to the long day at Mustang Stadium.
“I want them to compete,” first-year Uniontown girls coach Bob Manges said. “I’d like them to get some first and second places.”
The Red Raiders always look to shine at the county meet and, according to Uniontown boys coach Joe Everhart, they’ll hope to do so again this year even though Uniontown is coming off a tough meet at Laurel Highlands.
“We want our best performances at the county meet. I wish we had more time.”
The Mustangs and Fillies have even a more difficult task with the county meet coming on the heels of section meets with Connellsville and Uniontown.
“Everyone there has there own little niche,” Laurel Highlands boys coach Bob Costello. “The meet may be won with fourth and fifth places. The mile should be a real good race and both hurdles races should be good. It should be a very competitive, balanced meet.”