Hunter Robinson (Avonworth/Northgate) / Photo by Maggie Hohn
Butler Invitational - Meet Recap
In the first truly major meet on the western PA schedule, much of District 7 and District 10's best put up some very impressive performances, shedding some light on who some of the best in the state are. Let's get into the action:
GIRLS' RECAP
Avonworth/Northgate's Hunter Robinson had a Butler Invite for the ages, taking home triple gold in a very impressive invitational season opener for her. Robinson, who transferred to A/N from Georgia last year, is the reigning AA state champ in the 400 meters.
On Friday, Robinson won the 100 meters (PA#4 12.17), the 200 meters (PA#2 24.81), and the 400 meters (PA#4 55.43). It's a great start for what figures to be a great junior season for Robinson.
Burrell's Nicole Scherer had a strong day in the sprints as well. She was second to Robinson in those three events, running 12.31 in the 100, 24.98 in the 200, and 55.98 in the 400. Butler's Alexis Leech took third in the 400 meters in 56.58.
Clara Savchik (North Allegheny) / Photo by Phil Grove
North Allegheny's Clara Savchik continued to impress. The junior won the 1600 meters in 5:00.73 over Greensburg Central Catholic's Moira O'Shea and then came back to win the 3200 meters in 10:42.67, which is a PA#1. Ambridge Area's Mica Hanish (2nd in PA#4 10:55.41) and O'Shea (3rd in PA#5 10:58.64) also looked strong in the 3200.
In the 800 meters, Greensburg Salem's Malia Anderson outdueled Butler's Liz Simms. Anderson clocked a 2:17.06 for the win. The Butler girls went 9:22.64 to win the 4x800 meter relay to start off the meet, which is a PA#2. Butler also went 4:00.15 to take the 4x400 meter relay.
Burrell's Lizzie Weimer was once again a double winner. The senior threw 40-1 to win the shot put and then she captured the discus win with a toss of 135-1, just off her season best. In the javelin, Derry Area's Kara McDonald threw a PA#9 137-6 to take the win.
In the hurdles, Jahmia Bridges-Butler from Morgantown (WV) took the win in the 100 meter hurdles, with North Hills' Amberly Valeriano taking second in 15.20. Valeriano also won the long jump with a leap of 18-1, a PA#9. Oakland Catholic's Jayla Ellis, third in the 100 hurdles, took the win the win in the 300 meter hurdles in a time of 45.73, a PA#10.
Butler's Taylor Weaver jumped 11-11 to win the pole vault. That vault puts her at PA#9.
Photo by Abby Huber
BOYS' RESULTS
Seneca flexed its muscles in the 4x800 meter relay. The reigning state AA champs, which returned all four members of that team from last year, put down an overall state leader. Seneca clocked a PA#1 and US#9 7:49.05 for the win. Despite being a small school, Seneca proved they can battle with anyone.
Greensburg Salem was second in a PA#2 7:51.29 and Franklin Regional took third in a PA#7 7:59.89.
Brookville's Ryan Thrush continues to amaze. The senior pulled out another remarkable 800 meter run, winning in a PA#1 1:50.86, a huge PR. Thrush shocked us last year when he ran 1:52 at Baldwin and the versatile runner did it again at Butler. What else does he have in store for us this season?
Ayden Owens (North Allegheny) / Photo by Barry Marcella
North Allegheny's Ayden Owens had a big start to his invite outdoor season. Owens won three events on the day, with the most impressive win coming in his best event: the 300 meter hurdles. The junior went 37.56, which puts him atop the state leaderboard in the event by over a second. He won the 110 meter hurdles in a PA#6 14.52 and the 200 meters in a PA#5 21.86. Owens, who was third at indoor nationals in the pentathlon, showed off his versatility once again at Butler.
Quaker Valley's Zach Skolnekovich put down a strong double, proving that he's the head of the class in Class AA thus far this season by putting down a pair of PA-AA#1s. Skolnekovich went PA#5 4:16.77 to win the 1600 meters and then PA#1 9:18.02 in the 3200 meters.
In the 1600 meters, Butler's Noah Beveridge and Seneca Valley's Sam Owori both went 4:19 for second and third respectively.
Jordan Geist of Knoch put together yet another day in the throws. Geist won the shot put by a remarkable 27 feet, tossing the shot 74-2.5 for the win. He then came back and posted a season best in the discus with a throw of 196-8. He's currently at US#14 in the discus.
Ambridge Area's Isaac Elliott ran 10.95 to win the 100 meters. In the 400 meters, Norwin's Nicholas Coleman was impressive, capturing the win in a PA#6 49.54, a massive PR for him. Hampton's Jason Goodman jumped a PA#7 46-0 in the triple jump to take the win.
In the 4x100 meter relay, the boys from McDowell went 43.00 to put them at PA#3. Seneca Valley won the 4x400 meter relay in a time of 3:26.92.