Mar 18, 2003 By Jim Downey 3 min read

Winning the Section 3-AA has become a rite of passage for the Southmoreland boys track team because the Scotties have hoisted a section banner in the past four springs. The success didn’t stop there because Southmoreland has been the runner-up in Class AA the past two years, losing to Freedom by only six points, 78-72, in the 2002 team championship. The current members of the Scotties track team don’t know what it’s like not to win a section title, but they will have to do so without now-graduated Tommy Brittain. Brittain won the Class AA gold medal last year and finished second in the 800. He also ran on relays so it was not out of the question for boys coach Bill Schrecengost to pencil in 20 points for those events.

“We’ll miss Tommy. That was five in the book,” Schrecengost said, “but we have Adam Baker back. He finished fourth in the WPIAL last year.”

Baker will be counted on to fill the gap in the 1,600 and 800. Larry Earnesty and Steve Imel will also be counted on heavily in the distances, though Imel will have to overcome an ankle injury that currently has him wearing a walking cast.

Southmoreland has long been known for its distance runners, but according to Schrecengost the strength of this year’s squad is in its sprinters. Headlining the dashers is multi-talented Tim Fratto, a team leader according to Schrecengost. The junior is the defending WPIAL Class AA champion in the triple jump, and will compete in the long jump, 100 and 400 relay team as well.

The throwers were all young last year, but Schrecengost expects them to mature as the season progresses. Josh Morgan and Nick Cunningham will compete in the javelin with mainstays Jeff Leonard and Duane Frund in the shot put and discus.

Don Powell is another versatile athlete for the Scotties, running the hurdles and competing in the pole vault. Jon Sebek and Caleb Shively are two athletes that will also contribute points for Southmoreland.

Schrecengost likes his chances for a fifth section title and the opportunity to clear the hurdle that’s eluded his team in the past four seasons, a WPIAL Class AA team title.

“We’re strong across the board. We have nothing to hide. We beat everybody by 50 points last year except for Freedom,” Schrecengost said.

“We have some injuries now, but we should have a lot of young guys rounding into shape by the playoffs.”

Southmoreland will compete against Trinity Christian, Serra, Jeannette, East Allegheny, Burrell, Greensburg Central Catholic, South Allegheny and Mount Pleasant for the Section 3-AA title.