Raiders sweep meet from Falcons, Pioneers
Jim Downey | Herald-Standard
Brownsville’s Noah Diggs pulls ahead of Waynesburg Central’s Gabe McConville (center) and the Falcons’ Ray Brumley midway through the 1,600 during Thursday’s Section 6-AA meet at Waynesburg Central. McConville finished ahead of the Falcons with a time of 4:56.77.
The Raiders' Daniel Layton looks to the mat after clearing 12-6 to win the pole vault in Thursday's Section 6-AA meet against Brownsville and West Greene at Waynesburg Central.
Brownsville's Nick Seto clears the bar in the high jump during Thursday's Section 6-AA meet at Waynesburg Central.
Waynesburg Central’s Scott Benco prepares to release the javelin during Thursday’s Section 6-AA meet against West Greene and Brownsville. Benco finished first with a throw of 173-1. (Photo by Jim Downey)
Jim Downey | Herald-Standard
The Raiders’ Caleb Shriver flies through the air in the triple jump during Thursday’s Section 6-AA meet against West Greene and Brownsville at Waynesburg Central.
WAYNESBURG — Waynesburg Central entered Thursday’s Section 6-AA triangular against Brownsville and West Greene undefeated, and when the meet concluded, the Raiders exited with a perfect record.
Waynesburg handily defeated both the Falcons, 98-51, and Pioneers, 127-14, improving to 5-0. Brownsville (4-2) salvaged a split by defeating West Greene, 103-24.
Daniel Layton totaled 15 of those points with first-place finishes in the 110 high hurdles (15.02), pole vault (12-6), and 300 intermediate hurdles (44.15). The senior also anchored the winning 1,600 relay.
“It was getting points today. It was a little close in the meet, so I wanted to get some extra ones,” said Layton.
Teammate Gabe McConville outkicked the Falcons’ Noah Diggs and Ray Brumley to win the 1,600 in 4:56.77. Diggs got the best of McConville in the 800, though, with the Raider distance runner finishing third overall.
McConville knew he would be in a battle in the 1,600.
“(Diggs) started fast and was pushing me. Then, at the beginning of the third lap, he went ahead. He passed me for a good 100 meters, but with 500 meters to go I went back ahead,” said McConville, who didn’t realize the Falcons’ Ray Brumley was also in the mix. “I let them break the wind and get a little tired.
“I wanted to break five minutes today. I’m trying to get faster than 4:40. I want to try to break 4:15 by the end of my career.”
McConville also had a “carrot” to run under five minutes in the 1,600.
“My dad told me if I broke 5 minutes, he’d buy me a new fishing rod,” said a smiling McConville.
Caleb Shriver had a strong effort for the Raiders, finishing first overall in the 100 (11.72), 200 (24.27), and long jump (19-11). He was second in the triple jump (40-3¼).
Caleb Blair (400, 53.27), Josh Galbreath (shot put, 41-0), Avery McConville (discus, 110-7), and Scott Benco (javelin, 173-1) also finished first for Waynesburg.
The Falcons’ Nick Seto had a solid performance in the jumping events, winning the triple jump (41-3¾). He was second to Shriver in the long jump (19-11).
Jefferson-Morgan’s Adam Hobe won the high jump, clearing the bar at 5-10. The Rockets did not officially participate in the meet so Seto finished first with a jump of 5-8.
The Raiders’ Garrett Gumbarevic also cleared 5-8.
“I did okay in the long jump,” said Seto. “My high jump was pretty good for this year.”
Seto is looking forward to the upcoming big meet season of invitationals and, hopefully, the WPIAL and PIAA meets.
“I’m excited for this year with my marks right now. My 43 (feet in the triple jump) is good for the WPIAL,” said Seto. “I’d like to go 44 (feet) in the triple jump and 45 next year. That’s a good college jump.”
The initial WPIAL performance list will be released Wednesday and Seto is a bit apprehensive.
“It’s a bit stressful. I have a good chance that I’ll be on the WPIAL list in the triple jump,” said Seto. “It’s about proving yourself at the WPIALs. That’s what it’s all about.”
Diggs finished first in the 800 with a time of 2:16.12 and Brumley defeated all comers in the 3,200 with a time of 11:37.