Undefeated Falcons win Section 2-AAA title
Jim Downey | Herald-Standard
The Falcons’ Bodee Stonebraker and Belle Vernon’s Ty Robertson sprint the final 100 meters of the 400-meter relay in Tuesday’s Section 2-AAA triangular at Connellsville Stadium. Jared Ozias (left) and Nick Smarachek ran the third leg.
Belle Vernon's Brett Seich leads the Falcons' Josh Hustosky as the two battle for second place in the 1,600 during Tuesday's Section 2-AAA triangular at Connellsville Stadium.
The Falcons' Dom Prestipino takes off after the baton exchange with teammate George Trimbath, while Jake Sepesky reaches back for the exchange with Isaac Evans in the 3,200 relay during Tuesday's Section 2-AAA triangular at Connellsville Stadium.
Belle Vernon's Hunter Martin prepares to land as Connellsville's Blake McKnight sets up to clear a hurdle during the 110 high hurdles during Tuesday's Section 2-AAA triangular at Connellsville Stadium.
The Falcons' Logan Gonzales takes the baton from teammate Kyle Jordan, while Belle Vernon's Brett Seich awaits his teammate during the 3,200 relay in Tuesday's Section 2-AAA triangular at Connellsville Stadium.
CONNELLSVILLE — The Connellsville boys track & field team entered Tuesday’s Section 2-AAA home triangular meet with Belle Vernon and Yough undefeated.
The Falcons exited the final section meet as they started, undefeated, after defeating Belle Vernon, 113-37, and Yough, 139-11. The Leopards beat the Cougars, 92-28.
Connellsville carried every first-place finish against Yough and won all but four from Belle Vernon.
The meet was competed under brutal weather conditions. Steady rain and gusting winds affected all events on the track, as well as the field events.
The Falcons’ Dom Prestipino had a solid performance in the victory. He ran the second leg on the victorious 3,200 relay that won in 8:48 and was on the winning 1,600 relay.
In between the two relays, Prestipino won the 800.
“I knew we’d have to run hard in the 3,200 relay,” said Prestipino.
Prestipino and teammate Logan Gonzales had a strategic run in the 800 meters. Gonzales finished third overall.
“I knew going in (Belle Vernon’s Isaac Evans) is a sit-and-kick runner. I was surprised he went out,” said Prestipino. “Logan (and myself) had team running. About 250 meters, I gradually started to pick it up. I wanted to pick it up going into 200 to go. Then, with 100 left, it’s all guts then.”
Prestipino, in a way, conceded to the adverse weather conditions.
“Face the fact, you’re not going to run a good time today. You just run to win,” explained Prestipino.
The Falcons understood what was on the line, the section crown, when they faced the Cougars and Leopards.
“I was definitely nervous. Belle Vernon is a good school. We had the same plan: Go run our best and do what we can do,” said Prestipino.
Now, Prestipino looks forward to his individual performance with the WPIAL finals just three weeks away.
“I’m where I was at the end of last year now. Cross country definitely helped. My reach goal is two flat (two minutes in the 800). That would be a dream for me,” added Prestipino.
The Falcons also had overall first-place finishes from Bodee Stonebreaker (100, 200), Gonzales (1,600), George Trimbath (400), Blake McKnight (300 intermediate hurdles), Jalen Rogers (high jump), Mason Franks (pole vault), Jake Reilly (discus), Chris Smiley (shot put), and Cameron Sapola (javelin).
Belle Vernon’s Hunter Martin finished first overall in the 110 high hurdles and triple jump, as did Dane Anden in the long jump.
The Leopards’ Brett Seich faded to a second-place finish in the 1,600, but recovered to win the 3,200 after battling with Connellsville’s Brandon Routzahn for most of the race.
Seich ran the anchor leg in the opening 3,200 relay, but was unable to catch up with Gonzales.
“Whenever he took it, I knew I had to catch him. Because of the wind, I had to catch him and run on his shoulder. It got hard in the last 300 meters. The win affected on both curves,” said Seich. “I had to go out hard. (Gonzales) likes to kick.”
Seich managed to hold off the Falcons’ Josh Hustosky to finish second in the 1,600.
“I wasn’t feeling it. I knew after the first lap,” said Seich. “My hip’s been bothering me. I don’t know why. It feels tired. I don’t know how to explain it.”
But, he came back with a strong performance in the 3,200.
“The 3,200 is my main focus,” said Seich.
Seich hopes the heightened competition in Saturday’s Westmoreland County meet will lead to a faster time in the 3,200.
“The school record is 9:46. I’ve had no one to run against (in the section meets). I know there’s a kid from Greensburg. I’ll just sit on him,” added Seich.
CLEAT MARKS: The final section meet of the season closed with the traditional “fat man” relay with throwers of all three disciplines running the 400 relay. Connellsville was the runaway winner in the highly-entertaining — and, at times, humorous — race.