Red Raiders get the job done at Connellsville
John F. Brothers | Herald-Standard
Connellsville’s Jason Burkus (right) edges out Uniontown’s Doug Lewis in the boys 100-meter dash during Monday’s Section 2-AAA at Connellsville’s Falcon Stadium. The Red Raiders improved to 2-0 with an 81-69 win over the Falcons.
John F. Brothers | Herald-Standard
Uniontown’s Bru Martin (center) takes first place in the 110-meter high hurdles during Monday’s Section 2-AAA meet against Connellsville at Connellsville’s Falcon Stadium.
John F. Brothers | Herald-Standard
Connellsville’s Jason Burkus breaks the tape for the win against Uniontown in the boys 400-meter relay during Monday’s Section 2-AAA meet at Falcon Stadium. Burkus also won the 100 and long jump.
John F. Brothers | Herald-Standard
Uniontown’s Benn Wilson clears the bar during the boys high jump during Monday’s Section 2-AAA meet against Connellsville at Falcon Stadium.
CONNELLSVILLE — A heady, swirling wind buffeted Connellsville Stadium throughout Monday’s Section 2-AAA meet between visiting Uniontown and the Falcons, and the Red Raiders used their advantage on the track for an 81-69 victory.
Uniontown improves to 2-0 in the section and 2-1 overall, while the Falcons slip to 0-2.
The wind under grey, ominous skies affected all disciplines, from knocking down the high jump bar with regularity, to sideswiping long and triple jumpers, to beating runners on the track in the face, to carrying javelins to unintended destinations.
As been the way in recent years, the Red Raiders fared well in the distance events with Nate Edenfield (1,600, 4:54.8; 800; 2:04.47), Brady Guthrie (3,200, 10:24.29), the 3,200 relay (8:44), and 1,600 relay (3:45) all securing first-place points.
Guthrie also ran a leg on the victorious 3,200 relay, so he had to power his way through the wind over 10 laps.
“It plays on you,” Guthrie said of the wind. “I tried to take a surge on the backside (of the track) when the wind’s at your back.”
The rain fortunately avoided the meet, although Guthrie wouldn’t have minded a few drops.
“I was pumped .. it was going to rain. Usually I run well in the rain,” explained Guthrie. “It was colder than I expected.”
With the 3,200 relay the opening event on the track and the 3,200 next to last, Guthrie had quite a span to have his body prepared to go between races.
“I was really careful about my cooldown,” said Guthrie.
The annual FCCA Track & Field Meet will be hosted by Connellsville this year, so the senior was able to get a feel for the track.
“I’ve never run a solid time on this track,” said Guthrie, who last ran at Connellsville as a freshman. “This was an eye opener. I can run well.”
Bru Martin (110 high hurdles, 16.59), Braden Carei (400, 54.72), Malachi Mellema (300 intermediate hurdles, 43.74), and Doug Lewis (200, 24.75) also added five first-place points to the Uniontown score, many just edging a Connellsville runner for the ultimate decider in the close final score. Martin (triple jump, 41-7½) and Carei (pole vault, 10-6) won a second individual event in the field.
The Falcons had two first-place finishes on the track, and Jason Burkus had a hand in both victories. Burkus held off Lewis to win the 100 in 12 seconds, and anchored the victorious 400 relay team (47.19). He also won the long jump with a leap of 19-6½, even though he slipped backward and landed on his rearend to cost him some distance.
Burkus, as with every other athlete in the stadium, had to find a way to deal with the wind.
“During the 100, the wind was pushing back a little the whole way. You just have to get after it and go for it,” said Burkus. “In the long jump, I’d wait for the wind to die down a little.”
Although he’s had success in the 100, Burkus has his sights set on the long jump.
“I’m more focused on the long jump. I use the 100 as a warmup for the long jump,” said Burkus.
The Falcons carried the first-place finishes in the throwing events. Derrick Brubaker won the javelin (135-4). Austin Heinbaugh took first in the shot put (47-1½). Jake Nichelson had the five-point throw in the discus (155-10).
Nate Norton rounded out the top finishes for the Falcons by winning the high jump (5-8).