JACKSON TWP — For three of the four teams involved in Tuesday's track and field meet between Seneca Valley and Butler, a win meant clinching a berth into the upcoming WPIAL team playoffs.

For the other — Butler's girls squad — it was a chance to add icing on the cake.

The Golden Tornado did just that, taking down the rival Raiders, 86-64, to clinch the Section 3-AAA title outright with an undefeated record of 6-0.

Butler's girls had already earned a trip into the postseason, but Tuesday's victory not only sends the Tornado there with a perfect overall record of 8-0, it also kept Seneca from extending its season.

“We haven't lost yet and this just makes us want to keep it going,” said Butler senior Alexis Leech, who contributed to the victory with wins in the 800 and 200-meter runs.

In the boys meet, Seneca Valley grabbed the second and final playoff spot out of the section by toppling the Tornado, 104-46.

For Butler's girls, it is their second straight section title. They finished runner-up in the WPIAL to Hempfield last season.

“I like our chances,” said Butler coach John Williams of the team tournament, which begins Tuesday. “We have enough girls to cover the 18 events. You look at our team, we have girls who have the ability to medal not just at WPIALs, but also at states. That's where you want your program to be. The month of May, that's what we've been training for.”

Leech's individual wins came in back-to-back events.

“This was the first time I've competed in the open 800,” she said. “I normally run a 2:17 split in the 4x800 relay and that was the time I was going for. But considering it was rainy and cold, I was OK with my time (2:18.69).

Maggie Welty (1,600 and 3,200 runs) and Jena Reinheimer (shot put and discus) were the Tornado's other double individual winners.

The Raiders (4-2) did manage their 34th straight winning season.

“We will now transition to preparing for the individual meets,” said SV coach Ray Peaco, “and we have some girls who can do something there.”

One of them is junior Autumn Sutton, who took first place in the 100 dash and teamed with Megan Mineweaser, Sammy Stevwing and Ashley Rea to win the 4x100 relay. Stevwing also won the long jump.

Seneca's boys (5-1) will enter the team playoffs with a narrow 76-74 loss to North Allegheny as the only blemish from their section slate.

One sign of the Raiders' strength is the fact that despite fielding just one double individual winner (Matt Sloan in the high and triple jumps) on Tuesday, they placed first in 16 of the 18 events. That means the team has many capable athletes on the track and in the field.

“This section is a great litmus test to see where you're at,” said Peaco. “One way for us to prepare for the postseason is for our guys to do well in their events against section competition. If you can make it out of here, you have a chance.”

Butler's wins came from Luke Kernic in the 100 dash and Jack Codispot in the pole vault. The Tornado finished 4-2 in section meets.

“All season, our boys gave 100 percent, even today,” said Butler coach Rick Schontz. “We scored over 100 points in every meet that we won. Seneca Valley was just better than us today.”

Boys

Seneca Valley 104, Butler 46

3,200 relay: Seneca Valley (Alex Dixon, Seth Ketler, Luke Bellack, Sam Owori) 8:21.43; 110 hurdles: Sam Finch (SV) 15.79; 100 dash: Luke Kernic (B) 11.46; 1,600 run: Seth Ketler (SV) 4:32.31; 400 run: Alex Dixon (SV) 51.7; 400 relay: Seneca Valley (Matt Krol, Gavin Thomas, Will Briscoe, Parker Laughlin) 45.08; 300 hurdles: Luke Smith (SV) 41.99; 800 run: Sam Owori (SV) 2:03.79; 200 dash: Parker Laughlin (SV) 23.28; 3,200 run: Trey Razanauskas (SV) time not available; 1,600 relay: Seneca Valley (Luke Bellack, Jon Morgan, Matt Krol, Alex Dixon) 3:31.82

Shot put: Ryan DeBoer (SV) 50-3; Discus: Zach Gehm (SV) 167-0; Javelin: Jack Cook (SV) 167-8; High jump: Matt Sloan (SV) 5-8; Long jump: Gavin Thomas (SV) 20-5.25; Triple jump: Matt Sloan (SV) 42-7.25; Pole vault: Jack Codispot (B) 13-6

Girls

Butler 86, Seneca Valley 64

3,200 relay: Butler (Alexis Leech, Erin LeMay, Maggie Welty, Liz Simms) 9:43.08; 100 hurdles: Lauren Chappell (SV) 15.65; 100 dash: Autumn Sutton (SV) 12.77; 1,600 run: Maggie Welty (B) 5:20.81; 400 run: Maddie Tonini (B) 1:00.09; 400 relay: Seneca Valley (Megan Mineweaser, Sammy Stevwing, Ashley Rea, Autumn Sutton) 51.05; 300 hurdles: Maegan Emanuel (B) 48.54; 800 run: Alexis Leech (B) 2:18.69; 200 dash: Alexis Leech (B) 26.77; 3,200 run: Maggie Welty (B) time not available; 1,600 relay: Butler (Maddie Tonini, Liz Simms, Shana Hoy, Alexis Leech) 4:16.08

Shot put: Jena Reinheimer (B) 37-10; Discus: Jena Reinheimer (B) 126-2.5; Javelin: Erin Danik (SV) 129-8; High jump: Kylee Lewandowski (B) 4-10; Long jump: Sammy Stevwing (SV) 16-3.5; Triple jump: Emma Lizewski (SV) 35-2; Pole vault: Taylor Weaver (B) 11-0