May 15, 2009 3 min read

WHITEHALL TWP. – Maressa Guynn captured her first shot put title Thursday in the girls WPIAL Class AAA championships at Baldwin High School. Guynn bested the competition with a throw of 40-21/4 to defeat Butler’s Brianna Lumley (401/4) and Hempfield’s Rachel Serafin (40). Guynn also qualified in the discus with a second-place throw of 135-5. “This is my first time to qualify for states and I broke the school record in the shot,” Guynn said. “I really want to place at states. I also had a good first throw in the discus. I also want to thank Mr. Brambly. He has really been pushing me in the weight room and it helped a lot.”

Guynn will not be alone as teammate Demi Phillipy qualified with a second-place finish in the javelin. Phillipy has qualified for the state tournament three years in a row and also hit the state-qualifying standard.

“I was eighth as a sophomore at states and ninth last year,” Phillipy said. “I really hope to better that. I really haven’t done anything out of the ordinary. I just continue to work at the javelin.”

Phillipy had a toss of 126-8 to pick up the silver. Albert Gallatin’s Ashley Dupont will be making a trip to the state meet in Shippensburg after her toss of 126-1 gave the senior fifth place. However, Dupont beat the state-qualifying mark of 121.

“I’m looking forward to states,” Dupont said. “I am a little nervous, but hopefully I can do my best. I had to deal with some injuries, but I am doing better now.”

Shaina Vasquez is the first Belle Vernon girl to qualify for states in track and field as the senior took third in the 300-meter hurdles with a time of 0:46.57. Vasquez doesn’t have the luxury of a home track.

“I wanted to go so bad this year,” Vasquez said. “I am so happy that I am the first Belle Vernon girl to qualify for states. I really don’t care how I do.”

Laurel Highlands’ Brook Burns picked up a fifth-place finish in the high jump with a jump of 5-1, but did not qualify for states.

“I didn’t get my PR and I would rate this as an average performance,” Burns said. “I just have to keep working.”

Uniontown’s Dara Reeves took seventh in the long jump with a jump of 16-10 to give the junior a medal.

“I surprised myself and I did PR, which is good,” Reeves said. “I was confident and I did my best. I felt all right about my performance and I feel real good about next year.”

The Fillies’ Aleesha Washington finished her track and field career with a sixth-place finish in the 100-meter dash. The senior did not qualify for states, but she feels good about going to Duquesne University on a full scholarship.

“Considering that I went to states the last two years I was a little disappointed,” Washington said. “This season wasn’t quite in my favor, but high school’s over and I can concentrate on college.”

Washington’s teammate, Jerricka Belt, took eighth place in the 100 as well.

“I think she (Belt) can do well, but she has to want it more than anyone else does,” Washington said. “She has a lot of potential.”

The Lady Colonials’ Jordyn Reagan was seventh in the 200-meter dash with a time of 26.59. Reagan was ninth in the 400 with a time of 1:01.51 and Laurel Highlands’ Alexis Zawelensky was 21st with a time of 1:04.39.

The Flllies’ Jordyn Hartsek (11:56.71) and Uniontown’s Colleen O’Neil (12:31.04) took 14th and 22nd respectively in the 3,200 meter run. AG?s Ashley Dupont