Mustangs edge Belle Vernon in section opener, 78-72
Jim Downey | Herald-Standard
The Mustangs’ Brendan Kopich sprints to the finish line ahead of Belle Vernon’s Isaac Evans to win the 800 in their Section 2-AAA meet at Laurel Highlands on March 28, 2019. Kopich lost his senior season and a chance to qualify for the WPIAL Track & Field Championships due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Jim Downey | Herald-Standard
Belle Vernon’s Hunter Martin (left) clears the final hurdle just ahead of Laurel Highlands’ Junior Salauca on his way to first place in the 110 high hurdles in Thursday’s Section 2-AAA meet at Laurel Highlands.
Belle Vernon's Isaac Evans holds a slight lead over the Mustangs' Brendan Kopich in the first lap of the opening leg of the 3,200 relay in Thursday's Section 2-AAA meet at Laurel Highlands.
The Mustangs' Joe Casteel prepares to cross the finish line just ahead of teammate Isaac Meeder to place second in the 1,600 during Thursday's Section 2-AAA meet against visiting Belle Vernon.
The Mustangs' Eli Mitchell makes contact with the bar during an attempt in the high jump in Thursday's Section 2-AAA meet against Belle Vernon at Laurel Highlands.
The Laurel Highlands boys capped Thursday’s Section 2-AAA track & field opener with a thrilling win in the 1,600 relay to secure a hard-fought 79-71 victory over visiting Belle Vernon.
The meet came down to the final event on the track with the Mustangs securing all nine points in the pole vault, and Iliesa Salauca set the early pace for the home team to a first-place finish in 4:41.86.
The Mustangs’ Brendan Kopich ran on the final relay, and also finished first in the 1,600 (5:11.18) and 800 (2:17.34). He also ran the opening leg on the victorious 3,200 relay in 9:00.55
Kopich said the opening meet of the season was a feeling out process for him.
“Today was mostly getting points and to see where I’m at personally and with the (3,200 relay),” explained Kopich. “This is the benchmark.”
That cautious approach led to slower times, but Kopich feels he learned where he’s at for the relatively short track season.
“I took the first lap slow, then slowly picked it up. I was slow in the first lap in the 800, and then faster in the end. I’d rather be that than the opposite,” said Kopich.
Miguel Brumfield (100, 11.63), Kaleb Smouse (54.79), 400 relay (45.94), Isaac Meeder (3,200, 11:26.80), and Dante Capuzzi (pole vault, 7-0) also had first-place finishes for Laurel Highlands.
Hunter Martin had a solid individual performance for the Leopards, edging Iliesa Salauca to win the 110 high hurdles in 15.04 seconds, easily taking first in the 300 intermediate hurdles (40.43), and winning the long jump (21-1) and triple jump (42-10) to account for 20 points.
“Honestly, my high hurdles time was the fastest in my high school career,” said Martin, who will attend Seton Hill University. “I just focus on my race, nothing else. I don’t want any distractions, take a chance of falling or missing a step.
“I was behind (Salauca) in the first part of the race. He hit a hurdle, I kept my speed and caught him.”
Hurdles and jumping can take a toll on the body, even a young body, so Martin takes necessary precautions through the season.
“It’s just a lot of prep and keeping my body healthy. I see a chiropractor every two weeks. I take ice baths every day and get messages,” said Martin.
Martin hopes all the body work pays off in late May.
“I want to go to states again, and in more than one event. Four would be hard, but at least three,” said Martin.
Belle Vernon’s Dane Anden won the 200 in 23.92 seconds. Ryan Marek (discus, 132-9), Jesse Herron (javelin, 129-6), and Hayden Baron (shot put, 39-6) had first-place finishes in the throwing events for the Leopards.