Local athletes shine at Baldwin Invite
Local track & field athletes made their presence felt at the Baldwin Invitational Friday, winning more than their fair share of medals.
The biggest impact was in the javelin where the girls had six of the top nine spots and the boys won two medals.
The local contingent was led by Connellsville’s Madison Wiltrout, who finished first with a throw of 150-5. California’s Marissa Bitonti finished fourth with a throw of 114-8. Elizabeth-Forward’s Brianna Spirnak was close behind in fifth place with a medal-winning throw of 114-7. Laurel Highlands’ Kate Sutton placed sixth with a top effort of 114-2. Uniontown’s Jamee Lebedda, the 2016 county champion, was seventh with a throw of 110-9. Frazier’s Alena Blaszczak just missed the medal stand in ninth place with a throw of 107-5.
Laurel Highlands’ Tim Rice was fifth in the javelin with a throw of 174-2, with Uniontown’s John Guseman in eighth (164-5).
Brownsville’s Maris Seto won the high jump (5-6), finished fifth in the triple jump (35-½), and ninth in the long jump (16-8½). Alie Seto also medaled in the high jump, placing seventh with a jump of 5 feet.
Connellsville’s Ashley Capo finished eighth in the high jump with a top effort of 4-9, tying with California’s Annalise Gillespie.
Laurel Highlands’ Casey Phelan won silver in the pole vault with a top jump of 11-6.
Ringgold’s Sarah Lucas earned a seventh-place medal in the 1,600 with a time of 5:27.26.
Uniontown’s Sarah Wozniak continued her fine season in the shot put, finishing fourth with a throw of 38-7. Teammate Mylaysia Ellis won silver in the 400, covering the one-lap sprint in 59.37 seconds. Dellecia Francis added another medal for the Lady Raiders by placing eighth in the long jump with a leap of 16-10½.
Local male athletes were equally successful on the track and in the field.
The Belle Vernon boys finished third in the 400 relay and the Connellsville boys weren’t too far behind.
The Leopard quartet of Luke Durigon, Jake Powell, Cam Quinto and Dawson Quinto finished in 43.88 seconds. Connellsville’s Braden Hone, Anthony Brown, Steven White and Noah Karpiak placed eighth in 44.5 seconds.
The Red Raiders’ Josiah Davis won two medals, finishing third in the triple jump (43-5) and sixth in the high jump (6-2). Teammate Ben Wilson tied for fourth in the high jump (6-2). Laurel Highlands’ Chad Livingston just missed the medal stand after he finished 10th in the high jump (6-0).
Ringgold’s Brennan Williams sped his way on the track to sixth in the 200 (23.02) and seventh in the 100 (11.43). Teammate Brian Vandusen was eighth in the 100 with a time of 11.61 seconds.
Waynesburg Central’s Ben Bumgarner was sixth in the mile (4:24.79). Teammate Will Behm, along with the Mustangs’ John Ek, tied for 10th in the pole vault (12-0).
Elizabeth-Forward’s Jonathan Devine was seventh in the 300 intermediate hurdles in a time of 41.91 seconds.