Gateway boys, Hempfield girls take Tri-State track titles
Gateway senior Aaron Barlow collected gold medals in the 100-meter dash, 200 and 400 relay at Saturday's Tri-State Track and Field Coaches Association Invitational.
But it was his never-give-up effort as anchor leg for the fifth-place 1,600 relay squad in the final event that secured the team title for the Gateway boys on a rainy, chilly day at West Mifflin Stadium. The Gators edged Mt. Lebanon, 72.5-71.
“He passed two kids down the stretch, the last five meters, and beat them with a lean,” coach Tom LaBuff said. “That was the difference between seventh and fifth place (in the race). And that turned out to be the difference in the meet.”
The only other first-place finisher for Gateway was Ken Stevens in the high jump, although the Gators produced numerous medalists.
The Hempfield girls, last season's WPIAL Class AAA runners-up, didn't need a gutsy performance in the last event to win the title. The Spartans dominated the meet by winning seven of 17 events and outdistancing second-place Mt. Lebanon, 140-71.
Sophomore Jasmine Jones led the way for Hempfield and earned gold in the 100, 200 and 400 relay.
“I'm very proud of myself to run that well in this type of weather,” she said. “I think everyone on the team likes how they did. We're happy.”
Hempfield's other winners were Morgan Ansell in the 3,200, Maddie Holmberg in the 100 hurdles, Natalie Shiffler in the high jump and Larisa Debich in the pole vault.
Penn Hills' Wil Bailey dominated the middle distance events by capturing gold in the 800, 1,600 and 1,600 relay. Teammate Savon Salter won the 300 hurdles and also was a member of the 1,600 relay.
“When there's no rain and it's not cold, it's always better to run,” Bailey said. “Under the circumstances, I think I did a great job.”
South Park senior Billy Stanley, an Ohio State recruit, won the javelin by launching an outstanding throw — especially considering the conditions — of 217 feet, 8 inches. This year, Stanley's top distance is 221-3, which ranks first in the state and second in the nation.
“It wasn't the best conditions, but I'm happy with it,” he said. “It was my second best throw this season.”
