HIGH SCHOOL TRACK — Perhaps it was only appropos the Hickory High girls team took the title at Saturday’s 11th annual City of Hermitage Track & Field Invitational.

During the event’s initial decade, the Lady Hornets had won twice as many crowns (4) as any visitor. And on Saturday at soggy Hornet Stadium host Hickory hurdled the field by amassing 100 points, easily outdistancing runner-up North East (70.5).

“As co-head coaches with Mark Slezak, we’re extremely pleased with our girls’ performances,” meet director Barb Dzuricsko said, relating, “It’s tough. When you’re running a meet, we don’t get a chance to give full attention to our own kids. But we had some great relay performances and some great ‘one-two’s,’ which really make a big difference in a big meet like this.

“We’re just really proud of the kids to hang through weather like this, and still give some great performances,” Dzuricsko added.

North East boys edged their Erie County rivals Gen. McLane, 68-66, for the team title, with West Middlesex (52.5) and Sharon (47) placing 3rd and 4th to lead Mercer County’s male contingent.

Despite pleasant conditions early in the day, temperatures dipped into the 40’s, owing to cloud cover that gave way to a downpour by late afternoon. However the Lady Hornets remained focused.

Returning multiple-PIAA placewinner Emily Woods went for a meet mark in winning the shot put (41-6 1/4), then her kid sister, Taylor, made it a double-double by outdoing Emily to cop the discus crown (122-10è).

Hickory’s Lauren Lubarski lent the finishing touch as she upset 2-time reigning commonwealth kingpin Fawn Miller of Lakeview in the javelin. Lubarski launched a winning throw of 124-6, merely 3 inches further than Miller, whose personal best is approximately 30 feet further. However the Lakeview legend may have been let down a bit, having competed in the prestigious Penn Relays in Philadelphia on Thursday.

Other highlights from the marathon 33-school field, which was the largest in the event’s annals, and required approximately 9è hours to complete:

ä Meet marks posted by North East’s girls (10:00.46) and boys’ (8:08.99) 4x8 relay squads; North East’s Alex Beardsley (9:30.99, 3200-meter run); Titusville’s Trevor Foley (intermediate hurdles, 40.05); Reynolds’ Kara Mostoller (long jump, 18-3è) — who appears fully recovered from an ACL tear suffered a couple years ago and is ready to return to state where she starred 2 years ago; Reynolds’ girls 4x4 relay squad (51.24); Sharon’s Jonathan Muszik (400-meter dash, 50.22), and North East’s Sammie Weinheimer (pole vault, 10-6).

ä Reynolds’ Emily Moroco, who already has qualified for state in both track and cross country, copped a pair of crowns, including the 100- (12.97) and 200-meter (26.63) dashes, narrowly edging Mostoller in the former.

ä Grove City’s Hana Casalnova — who holds the meet mark in the 800-meter run (2:20.96) — edged Hickory’s Morgan Richards, 5:21.25 to 5:21.51 in the 1600-meter run.

ä Besides Moroco, other individual dual-event winners were Strong Vincent’s Brandon Akins (100, 11.37; 200, 22.80), and Foley (high hurdles, 15.71).

ä In addition to the aforementioned, other Mercer County gold medalists included Mercer’s Claire Creasy (intermediates, 47.53); Kennedy Catholic’s Marina Wareham (800-meter run, 2:24.57); Hickory’s Matt Durisko (javelin, 174-8); Grove City’s Leonard Howard (long  jump, 21-2 3/4), and George Junior  Republic’s Dawud Bey (triple jump, 42-1).

Dzuricsko said the Lady Hornets have their sights set on the annual District 10 Championships, the qualifier for Memorial Day weekend’s annual PIAA Championships. She said Hickory will compete in a major meet in West Mifflin next weekend against Quad- and triple-A WPIAL competition.

“ ... Hopefully we can be in the hunt for the District 10 title come May 22nd,” Dzuricsko said, adding, “I think we’ll make some noise at districts. Our main focus, though — and we told the kids this at the beginning of the year — is to get as many kids to districts, then to the state level. If all that happens, that’s great, but we’re not going to sacrifice any athletes for that purpose. But if everybody kind’ve does their job, then we have a chance.”

Notes: Jessica Bittler set a West Middlesex High record in the new-rules javelin, chucking the spear 116-8. The former mark of 114-3 was set by Jill Bowser (2003), reported veteran Middlesex mentor Bob Morris. ... Sharon’s James Hosey, though he was edged by Foley in the intermediates, also surpassed the previous meet standard with his 40.15 clocking. ... Coach Mark Hayes’ normally powerful Greenville High squad was depleted by a scant showing of athletes, owing to prom.





City of Hermitage Invitational

BOYS

Team Standings and Key: North East (NE) 68; Gen. McLane (GM) 66; West Middlesex (WM) 52.5; Sharon (Sh) 47; Fort LeBoeuf (FL) 43; Hickory (H) 41; Titusville (T) 40; Wilmington (W) 36; Fairview (Fv) 36; George Junior Republic (GJR) 35; Strong Vincent (SV) 32; Grove City (GC) 30.5; Slippery Rock (SR) 22; Meadville (Mv) 21; Redbank Valley (RV) 21; Oil City (OC) 18; Cranberry (Cran) 15; Harbor Creek (HC) 15; East (E) 14; Central Tech (CT) 10; Franklin (Fr) 10; Greenville (Gv)  8; Kennedy Catholic (KC) 7; Union City (UC) 6; Girard (Gir) 4; Mercer (Mer) 4.

Individual Results

(*indicates new meet mark)

3200 relay — 1. North East, 8:08.99*; 2. Gen. McLane, 8:23.61; 3. Slippery Rock, 8:38.76; 4. Meadville; 5. Titusville; 6. Oil City.

110 hurdles — 1. Trevor Foley (T), 15.71; 2. Brandon Ward (H), 15.99; 3. Austin Schied (NE), 16.07; 4. Adam Weismiller (HC); 5. Dan Regan (GM); 6. Ryan Crosby (HC).

100 — 1. Brandon Akins (SV), 11.37; 2. Clay Allen (WM), 11.50; 3. Ronnie Howard (Sh), 11.53; 4. Markell Johnson (GM); 5. Omar Johnson (GJR); 6. Andrew Hepler (Cran).

1600 — 1. Ryan Hirst (Fv), 4:32.75; 2. Ryan Smathers (NE), 4:35.14; 3. Ryan Thompson (SR), 4:35.26; 4. Matt McWilliams (FL); 5. Daniel Jaskowak (GC); 6. Ryan Sehman (Fr).

400 — 1. Jonathan Muszik (Sh), 50.22*; 2. Anthony Peluso (FL), 52.52; 3. Lorenzo Mikulin (WM), 52.53; 4. Robert Ogum (E); 5. Garrett Trosch  (H); 6. Nico Zahniser (Gv).

400 relay — 1. Strong Vincent, 44.23; 2. East, 44.83; 3. Gen. McLane, 44.91; 4. Sharon; 5. GJR; 6. Mercer.

300 hurdles — 1. Foley, 40.05*; 2. James Hosey (Sh), 40.15*; 3. Jordan Hart (CT), 40.97; 4. Regan; 5. Brett Heber (OC); 6. Colby Howe (WM).

800 — 1.  Morgan Huegel (Cran), 2:01.99; 2. Justin Elchynski (NE), 2:02.02; 3. Josh Makepeace (Mv), 2:03.57; 4. McWilliams; 5. Sehman; 6. Matt Schloze (NE).

200 — 1. Akins, 22.89; 2. Howard, 23.24; 3. Allen, 23.32; 4. Zahniser; 5. Nideen Johnson (GJR); 6. Peter Jackson (Fv).

3200 — 1. Alex Beardsley (NE), 9:30.99*; 2. Logan Steiner (Mv), 9:53.27; 3. Morgan Elliott (GM), 9:58.86; 4. Michael Green (GM); 5. John Hurd (Fv); 6. Adam Walker (Fv).

1600 relay — 1. Titusville, 3:32.51; 2. Sharon, 3:32.59; 3. North East, 3:33.63; 4. Fort LeBoeuf; 5. West Middlesex; 6. Harbor Creek.

Long jump — 1. Leonard Howard (GC), 21-2 3/4; 2. Josh Niswonger (GM), 20-10 1/4; 3. N. Johnson, 20-09 3/4; 4. Jeremy Jancso (WM); 5. Derick Fiedler (Fv); 6. Jimmy Bailey (NE).

Triple jump — 1. Dawud Bey (GJR), 42-1; 2. Mitch Skladanowski (GM), 41-2 3/4; 3. Kyle Trinch (GC) 41-1è; 4. Niswonger; 5. Howe; 6. Jancso.

High jump — 1. Sam Lotz (SR), 6-0; 2. Matt Heard (FL), 6-0; 3. O. Johnson, 5-10; 4. Aaron Banas (H); 5. Fiedler; 6. James Gearhart (WM).

Shot put — 1. Brad Zaboroski (W), 53-10 1/4; 2. Kurtis Jones (RV), 51-8; 3. Matt Bell (H), 50-7 1/4; 4. John Yohman (W); 5. Spencer Cornelius (NE); 6. Mitchell Schauble (HC).

Discus — 1. Yohman, 149-4; 2. Zaboroski, 149-1; 3. Cornelius, 146-4; 4. Jones; 5. Jesse Vazquez (UC); 6. Jared Hollidge (OC).

Javelin — 1. Matt Durisko (H), 174-8; 2. Jones, 169-6; 3. Quin Thompson (GM), 164-11; 4. Mike Kaldy (KC); 5. Kris Mason (KC); 6. Troy Bishop (H).

 Pole Vault — 1. Ryan Cragel (FL), 12-0; 2. Mark Kulinski (OC), 12-0; 3. Cody Karcher (GC), 11-6; 4. Zach Warner (T); 5. Joseph Kocan (Fv); 6. Luke Patten (WM).

GIRLS

Team Standings and Key: Hickory (H) 100; North East (NE) 70.5; Reynolds (R) 62; Meadville (Mv) 47; Mercer (Mer) 42; Fairview (F) 36; West Middlesex (WM) 35; Strong Vincent (SV) 32; Grove City (GC) 32; Fort LeBoeuf (FL) 26; Harbor Creek (HC) 26; Gen. McLane (GM) 24; Slippery Rock (SR) 22; Kennedy Catholic (KC) 21.5; Wilmington (W) 21; Lakeview (Lv) 20; Clarion (Cl) 18; Cranberry (Cran) 14; Central Tech (CT) 13; Sharon (Sh) 11; Titusville (T) 9; Franklin (Fr) 6; Girard (Gir) 5; Oil City (OC) 3; Greenville (Gv) 2; Union City (UC) 2; Sharpsville (Sv) 1; Redbank Valley (RV) 1.

Individual Results

3200 relay — 1. North East, 10:00.46*; 2. Gen. McLane, 10:05.92; 3. Hickory, 10:08.12; 4. Fort LeBoeuf; 5. Slippery Rock; 6. Meadville.

100 hurdles — 1. Jamie Jaworski (HC), 16.61; 2. Kayla Shacklock (WM), 16.65; 3. Eliza Lowe (GC), 16.77; 4. Corrin Regginello (H); 5. Morgan Siebka (SR); 6. Cassandra Reimold (R).

100 — 1. Emily Moroco (R), 12.97; 2. Kara Mostoller (R), 13.02; 3. Kate Faller (Fv), 13.31; 4. Mariah Burns (W); 5. Sammie Weinheimer (NE); 6. Erica Taylor (CT).

1600 — 1. Hana Casalnova (GC), 5:21.25; 2. Morgan Richards (H), 5:21.51; 3. McKenna Spence (Cran), 5:23.42; 4. Elesia Wilson (Mv); 5. Alexis Bowen (NE); 6. Katie Perkins (NE).

400 — 1. Skyler Ganoe (Cl), 59.61; 2. Marina Wareham (KC), 1:00.31; 3. Sarah Mrozowski (NE), 1:01.25; 4. Brittany Sargent (Fv); 5. Nicki Niemeyer (FL); 6. Tiffany Witt (Fr).

400 relay — 1. Reynolds, 51.24*; 2. Strong Vincent, 51.81; 3. Mercer, 52.64; 4. Gen. McLane; 5. Central Tech; 6. West Middlesex.

300 hurdles — 1. Claire Creasy (Mer), 47.53; 2. Shacklock,  48.51; 3. Paige Kassab (Mv), 49.45; 4. Becca Reed (HC); 5. Lowe; 6. Kaitlyn Ritchey (Fr).

800 — 1. Wareham, 2:24.57; 2. Spence, 2:26.09; 3. Casey Dudek (SR), 2:27.17; 4. Kelly Drushel (Gir); 5. Catie Bertges (SV); 6. Megan Green (FL).

200 — 1. Moroco, 26.63; 2. Sargent, 26.93; 3. Ganoe, 27.19; 4. Courtney Corban (Mer); 5. Cassie Jordan (NE); 6. Kylie Shaffer (NE).

3200 — 1. Jessica Kocan (Fv), 11:28.41; 2. Makenzie O’Connor (GM), 11:32.97; 3. Wilson, 11:33.82; 4. Richards; 5. Anne Lewis (NE); 6. Jessica Bennett (SR).

1600 relay — 1. North East, 4:21.58; 2. Grove City, 4:22.30; 3. Fort LeBoeuf, 4:23.04; 4. Hickory; 5. West Middlesex; 6. Slippery Rock.

Long jump — 1. Mostoller, 18-3è*; 2. Moroco, 17-2è; 3. Kassab, 16-6è; 4. Lauren Lubarski (H); 5. Morgyn Patterson (SV); 6. Fawn Miller (Lv).

Triple jump — 1. Morgyn Patterson, 35-9è; 2. Kassab, 35-5è; 3. Lubarski, 34-9è; 4. Meghyn Patterson (SV); 5. Shannon Bishop (GC); 6. Burns.

High jump — 1. Kassab, 5-3; 2. Regginello, 5-1; 3. Courtney King (Lv), 5-1; 4. Sherava Singleton (CT); 5. Alex Schriefer (NE); 6. Lauren McCrillis (KC).

Shot put — 1. Emily Woods (H), 41-6 1/4*; 2. Symone Somerset (H), 39-8è; 3. Tierra Corklin (T), 38-11è; 4. Savannah Schaa (Mer); 5. Alura Hanssen (W); 6. Sabol Csatlos (Sh).

Discus — 1. Taylor Woods (H), 122-10è; 2. E. Woods, 120-4; 3. Schaa, 103-3; 4. Hanssen; 5. Rachel DeMaria (WM); 6. Csatlos.

Javelin — 1. Lubarski, 124-6; 2. Miller, 124-3; 3. Jessica Bittler (WM), 116-6; 4. Csatlos; 5. Sam Weber (NE); 6; Breanne Dickie (OC).

Pole Vault — 1. Weinheimer, 10-6*; 2. Gabrielle Harrington (FL), 10-0; 3. Creasy, 10-0; 4. Stephanie Belko (H); 5. Ciera Folga (HC); 6. Jill Siege (R).