Business as usual
Butler track team fl exes muscles in rout of Pine-Richland

http://www.butlereagle.com/graphics/nothing.gifBy John Enrietto 
Eagle Sports Editor 

BUTLER TWP — It was chilly. It was windy. It didn't matter. 
It was business as usual for Butler. 
Alexis Leech, Mackenzie Popovich and Jena Reinheimer won two events each on the girls side and the Golden Tornado's depth shined through on the boys side of a season-opening track and field sweep of Pine-Richland Thursday at Art Bernardi Stadium. 
“We're fighters. The weather doesn't matter to us,” Butler girls coach John Williams said. “We want to come out and compete hard in every event, regardless of the score.” 
Butler's girls defeated the Rams 110.5-39.5 while the boys rolled to a 106-44 victory. 
“We use this first meet — the first couple of meets — to see where everybody fits in,” Tornado boys coach Rick Schontz said. “We'll try different people in the relays. 
“We have some kids out for track, competing for the first time. This gives them a chance to see what this is all about.” 
Leech ran the 200 meters in 26.07 seconds and turned in a 57.20 in winning the 400. She ran a sub-57 time in the 400 during a scrimmage last week and has the second fastest time in the state in that event during the early season. 
“My goal is to break the school record in the 400,” Leech said. “Annessa Schnur ran a 55.9 and I think I can beat it. 
“It's tough running when it's this chilly, though. It's so much harder to breathe.” 
Reinheimer won the shot put and discus for the Tornado girls, setting outdoor personal-best marks in each. Popovich won the triple jump and long jump. 
“Jena looked really good in the throws,” Williams said. “To see her hit personal bests this early is very encouraging.” 
Caleb Baxter was the only double-winner on the boys side for the Tornado. He won the javelin with a toss of 128 feet, one inch, then came down the hill and won the 400 meters. 
Distance runner Noah Beveridge competed for the first time in weeks as he contracted mononucleosis shortly after cross country season. He missed the indoor season and was only medically cleared to compete recently. 
Beveridge did not run the 1,600 or the 3,200 meters Thursday. 
“I'm planning on being back in those events by the Butler Invitational, for sure,” he said. “I was pretty happy winning the 800, especially going up against Brett (Brady). He's no slouch out there. He pushed me hard.” 
Brady won the 1,600 for Butler, ran the anchor leg of the winning 4x400 relay and finished second to Beveridge in the 800. 
“Brett was a workhorse for us today,” Schontz said. 
“He's going to contribute a lot to our team this year. Brett will be a force come the WPIAL meet,” Beveridge said. 
Luke Meckler, a freshman, won the 100 meters and 110 hurdles for Pine-Richland. Zack Randolph won the high jump and long jump for the Rams. 
Butler returns to action Saturday as part of the 12-team field at the Knoch Relays. 
Boys 
Butler 106, Pine-Richland 44 
3,200 relay: Butler (Steve Patterson, Tim Porter, Aden Dressler, Brett Brady) 8:46.1; 110 hurdles: Meckler (P-R) 16.2; 100 dash: Meckler (P-R) 11.45; 1,600 run: Brett Brady (B) 4:50.8; 400 run: Caleb Baxter (B) 53.96; 400 relay: Pine-Richland 46.12; 300 hurdles: Jake Wolfrum (B) 43.47; 800 run: Noah Beveridge (B) 2:05.9; 200 dash: Ryan Marcella (B) 23.97; 3,200 run: Hullen (P-R) 10:21.6; 1,600 relay: Butler (Ryan Marcella, Cade Gratzmiller, Caleb Baxter, Jake Wolfrum) 4:07.6 
Shot put: Colton Frost (B) 49-6; Discus: Steve Beichner (B_) 127-7; Javelin: Caleb Baxter (B) 128-1; High jump:Randolf (P-R) 5-8; Long jump:Randolf (P-R) 20-2.25; Triple jump: TarikTaoufik (B) 41-7; Pole vault: Jack Codispot (B) 12-0 
Girls 
Butler 110.5, Pine-Richland 39.5 
3,200 relay: Butler (Erin Lemay, Maggie Welty, Emma Lemay, Liz Simms) 10:21.7, ; 100 hurdles: Tabetha Wilbert (B) 16.3; 100 dash: Greco (P-R) 12.76; 1,600 run: Maggie Welty (B) 5:19; 400 run: Alexis Leech (B) 57.20; 400 relay: Pine-Richland 50.40; 300 hurdles: Maegen Emanuel (B) 48.99; 800 run: Liz Simms (B) 2:29; 200 dash: Alexis Leech (B) 26.07; 3,200 run: Megan McClymonds (B) 12:58.27; 1,600 relay: Butler (Liz Simms, Maddie Tonini, Alexis Leech, Shana Hoy) 4:40.9 
Shot put: Jena Reinheimer (B) 37-10; Discus: Jena Reinheimer (B) 127-10; Javelin:Liz Rakers (B) 105-10.5; High jump: Alexis Hopper (B) 5-0; Long jump: Mackenzie Popovich (VB) 16-2; Triple jump: Mackenzie Popovich (B) 33-6; Pole vault: Taylor Weaver (B) 8-6