Mar 31, 2007 By Jim Downey 3 min read

By all accounts, everyone was just happy to be out on the track, running in the sun, and competing against a different colored uniform when Uniontown hosted Brownsville Friday in a non-section track & field meet. These are the days of tedium as coaches and athletes seek the right events to fulfill team needs and individual expectations, and both Uniontown’s Keith Jeffries and Brownsville’s Brian Nicholson were happy with the way things turned out in the Red Raiders’ 134-14 win.

“We wanted to make sure they get meet experience. We have a lot of young guys,” said Jeffries. “It’s nice to get good weather and the kids like running other kids from the area. It’s nice to get out and compete.

“It was a long month of just practice. Plus, we run Waynesburg Central on Monday and this was a good scouting.”

“We wanted the kids to see the competition out there,” echoed Nicholson. “They run a nice meet here. We wanted the kids to have the exposure of how a big meet works.”

Uniontown won all but two of the 18 events, and generally went 1-2-3 in those events won by the Red Raiders. Everyone had a hand in the 16 first-place finishes with Derrick Thomas, John Cavallo and Devin Miller winning more than one event.

Thomas was also just happy to be back on the track after missing the 2006 season with an ankle injury. His return was grand with first-place finishes in the 1,600 (4:50) and 3,200 (11:36.68). He was a little disappointed with his 1,600 time and was just thrown into the 3,200 at the request of distance coach Joe Everhart.

“I felt great,” said Thomas about being back on the track after not only missing last year’s track season but also the past two cross country seasons. “It all came back pretty easy.

“I missed my goal in my first meet. I wanted to run the 1,600 in 4:40 and missed by 10 seconds. I ran the 3,200 just for practice.”

“We missed Derrick last year,” said Jeffries. “It’s definitely good to have him back.”

Thomas caught himself looking forward, adding, “I’m looking forward to better competition. I’m excited for Laurel Highlands and Connellsville.”

Miller jumped 19-8 to win the long jump and 41-0 in the triple jump, adding a second-place finish in the 100. Cavallo won the 100 in 11.47 seconds and the 200 in 24.44.

Darius Reeves (110 high hurdles), Mark Natural (400), John Phalen (300 intermediate hurdles), John O’Neil (800), Keanu Glisan (high jump), Luke Zajac (pole vault) and Logan Crayton (shot put) also finished first for the Red Raiders.

Uniontown swept the relays with Brodie Kelly, John O’Neil, Kameron Shaefer, and Thomas winning the 3,200 in 8:57.12, Pete Zavage, Miller, Reeves, and Cavallo taking the 400 relay in 46.79 seconds, and Anthony Sparks, Josh Mitchell, Tyler Holt and Natural winning the 1,600 relay in 4:24.

“We always look for improvement,” said Jeffries. “Mark Natural ran well in the 400. It’s just nice to be out competing.”

Brownsville managed two first place finishes, both in the throws. Phillip Shaw won the javelin with a throw of 141-1 and Charles Rankin took first in the discus with a best effort of 99-11.

“Phillip Shaw is versatile. He throws the javelin, does the long jump and runs in the 100,” said Nicholson. “Charles Rankin does well in all three throws for us. Cameron Coffey is going to be a good runner for us, but he’s so small he’s very intimidated before he goes out.

“They’re all giving their all. We can be competitive with the smaller Mon Valley schools.”