Undefeated Mustangs defeat Belle Vernon, 96-54
The Belle Vernon boys put a pretty good fight for most of the Section 2-AAA track meet on a sunny, breezy Thursday afternoon at Laurel Highlands, but the Mustangs had just a little too much at the end for a 96-54 victory.
Laurel Highlands improves to 4-0 in the section as well as overall, while Belle Vernon slips to 2-1 in the section and 2-2 overall.
The Mustangs had six first-place finishes on the track, swept the top spot in the three jumping events and took first place in 2-of-3 throwing events.
Spearheading the success in the jumping events was Chad Livingston, who won the long jump and finished second in both the high and triple jumps. His winning effort in the long jump of 20-9½ was a personal best.
“I just go out and do what I do,” explained Livingston.
While the sunshine was a welcome change, the wind, as hit has throughout the track season, was gusting.
“The wind affected me negatively in the high and triple jumps, and was at my back in the long jump. Any wind in the high jump is not a good thing,” said Livingston. “I think the wind is a little mental and a little physical.”
Livingston has his goals set as the dual meet season winds down.
“I’d like 21-6 in the long jump, 41-feet in the triple jump, and 6-feet in the high jump,” said Livingston. “To qualify in all three is the ultimate goal.”
Colby Tarr (110 high hurdles, 16.1; 300 intermediate hurdles, 41.9), Dontay Jacobs (100, 11.2; 200, 22.8), the 3,200 relay team of Gregg Maruca, Brett Kusniar, Nathan Smith and Roy Bowlen (8:58), and the 1,600 relay quartet of Kusniar, Coron Mains, Pat Mahoney and Jacobs (3:41.4) all had first-place finishes on the track for the Mustangs. Christian Jones (high jump, 5-8), Jason Leone (triple jump, 39-10½), Noah Lundy (discus, 120-2), and Ryan Gesso (javelin, 151-2) added first-place finishes in the field events.
Daniel Mraz fared well for the Leopards, winning the 1,600 in 5:03 and the 3,200 in 11:11. The Leopards had the 3,200 relay won, but were disqualified when one of the runners passed in the jogging lane. Otherwise, Mraz would’ve had a part in 15 first-place points.
Although a junior, Mraz is his first-year of track, so each meet adds to his learning experience.
“I like to get behind the first person on the first lap and then see if I can pick up the pace. If I can, I will,” explained Mraz of his strategy. “I like to run in the front. I just run as hard as I can.
“I learned in my first race I can’t go out as fast as I can on the first lap.”
Looking to the individual portion of the season, Mraz added, “I like running the mile. I feel it’s my stronger (event). I feel I can push myself.”
Belle Vernon travels to Connellsville Monday for a triangular with Mount Pleasant. The Mustangs are at home against Uniontown on Tuesday with the Red Raiders running a triangular against Yough. Laurel Highlands then closes the section schedule on Thursday against Albert Gallatin.