Bulldogs sweep triangular
WAYNESBURG – No one was really sure what the outcome of the Section 6-AA triangular would be until the final numbers were tabulated. The numbers were checked, then rechecked, and the winner was … the Beth-Center boys. The Bulldogs narrowly edged Waynesburg Central, 76-73, and handily beat Frazier, 103-27, for an early season section sweep at Waynesburg. The Raiders (3-1, 3-1) managed a split by defeating the Commodores, 114-31.
Beth-Center (2-0, 2-0) did most of its damage in the relays and throws. The Bulldogs swept the relays, winning the 3,200 in 9:11, the 400 in 49.49 seconds and the 1,600, the final event on the track, in 3:54. The winning difference was slim with a 7-second advantage in the 3,200 relay, two seconds in the 400, and three seconds in the 1,600.
The Bulldogs also swept the first-place points in the throws with Matt Pagac winning the javelin (149-7) and Jeff Paletta taking the shot put (43-9) and discus (124-4).
Terry Carnathan (long jump, 17-8) and Aaron Hrutkay (800, 2:09.92) also won key first-place points. Hrutkay had a hand in 13 points with his win in the 800, running a leg of the victorious 3,200 relay, and finishing second to Waynesburg’s Heath Jacobs in the 3,200. Carnathan also picked up a second in the high jump.
Hrutkay is a versatile performer, an attribute Beth-Center coach Ed Woods doesn’t hesitate to exploit.
“I wrestled, so I’m in good shape for anything. Coach Woods throws me in wherever he can,” said Hrutkay. “My goal is to run the 800 under two minutes. I’ll still run everything, but I’ll push it harder in the 800. That’s what I’m most focused on.”
Woods knew the final score would be close, and the Bulldogs scored in the areas he felt they would.
“We can do well against the smaller schools (in the section). We have some quality throwers and some decent distance,” said Woods. “I can throw Aaron (Hrutkay) in any event from 400 and up. Dominic Malloy does a nice job for us in the 100, 200 and both (400 and 1,600) relays.”
Keith Higginbotham won the 100 (11.14) and 200 (23.49) for Waynesburg Central, and looked good in winning both despite the pain of early-season shin splints.
“I like the competition and have fun,” said Higginbotham. “I want to beat the school record in the 100 (which he did last year) and I want to get a medal somewhere in states.”
Nick Patton won a pair of events (pole vault, triple jump) while Nate Patton won the high jump. Dominic Denicola won the 110 high hurdles (16.66) and the 300 intermediate hurdles (44.8).
Waynesburg Central coach Duane Bowers also wasn’t sure of the outcome until the very end, noting the Raiders aren’t quite as strong in some areas they’ve traditionally have been.
“We have a young team. It’s still early, and we have several kids sick,” said Bowers. “We’re down a little bit in the jumps and in the field. We still have a couple guys we’re moving around.”
Frazier (0-2, 0-2) is in its first year of competition, as is head coach Steve McCormick. The Commodores’ Vince Conti beat the field in the javelin with a top throw of 149-11, despite being a novice in the event.
“Vince did a nice job in the javelin, and Derek Miller did well in the 800 and 1,600,” said McCormick. “A lot of it is raw talent. Our main goal is to have fun, learn something, and work hard. The talent and hard work is tremendous.”