Lady Scots drop down to Class AA
Southmoreland was one girl over the Class AA limit last year, so the Lady Scots had to face some of the biggest WPIAL Class AAA schools in the Central Regional qualifier in 2002. Southmoreland was shut out in the individual championships for the first time in a while, but that is expected to change this year. A recount has Southmoreland back in Class AA, something that girls coach Mike Busato is looking forward to this season.
“Last year we were one girl over. This year we’re one girl under,” Busato declared. “We’ll have a chance to compete this year.”
Gone is Julie Wisniewski, leaving Busato question marks to be answered in the 1,600 and 3,200. He thinks he found the answer in Maria Rendine.
The Lady Scots also have an answer in the hurdles in the person of Cara Petonic. Petonic runs both the 100 high and 300 intermediate hurdles as well as jumping and running the anchor of the 400 relay team.
Dana Frund is the top returning thrower to give Busato a balanced attack in the quest of a Section 3-AA title.
“We’re strong in certain areas and balanced everywhere,” explained Busato. “We should be able to get four to six points in every event. We have quality kids everywhere. We’re four or five deep in every event. I can move kids around if I have to.”
Part of that quality comes from experience. Southmoreland has 17 seniors on the team.
“Almost all the seniors are four-year and most of them are three-year letter winners. The senior leadership has been great so far. The core athletes have all been through enough to know who we are and where we’ve been.”
This experience coupled with a return to Class AA has Busato and his Lady Scots setting their sights high for the 2003 season.
“We have one goal – to get to the WPIAL Championship,” Busato said.
Southmoreland will face a new team to Section 3-AA when the Lady Scots travel to Trinity Christian late in the season. The remainder of the schedule is familiar with long-time rival Mount Pleasant (at home on April 24), Serra, Burrell, Jeannette, East Allegheny, Greensburg Central Catholic and South Allegheny.