Butler tops Hempfield for girls AAA title

TRACK, FROM PAGE E-1 28 points in our throws. That is hard for teams to come back from. We know North Allegheny was going to accumulate points.”

The Raiders dominated the field events, including two wins from Matt Sloan, but it was the second- and third-place finishes that allowed them to take the title.

“As long as we got our first and seconds, we let the chips fall where they may in our third places,” Peaco said.

“Those points make a difference. It is a two-point swing when you get it and they don’t. Everything went the way we expected it to. I am so blessed for our coaching staff and our school for coming out on top.”

Girls AAA

The aforementioned Hempfield girls fell victim in the WPIAL team championships for the first time in five years.

Butler claimed the title, beating Hempfield, 87-63. The Golden Tornado also defeated North Allegheny and Norwin.

“They were the favorites all year,” Butler head coach John Williams said of Hempfield.

“We have been building this for a couple of years. We wanted it bad and we went and got it. Our program works out all year.”

This is Butler’s 10th WPIAL team track and field championship but first under Williams.

“All the credit goes to the kids and our coaching staff,” Williams said. “We have a great group of kids.

“We knew our superstars were going to win their races, but it was everyone else getting second and third-places that made the difference.

“That is what team track is all about.”

Boys AA

The Riverside Panthers picked up a WPIAL title of their own with wins against Derry Area, Shenango and Freeport.

The Panthers had a couple of key victories in the field events, including Lance Fisher winning the shot put and discus.

Shenango beat out Derry for second-place due to an overall points tiebreaker.

The Wildcats finished with 203 points.

Girls AA

For the first time in school history, the Burrell Buccaneers girls track and field team can call themselves WPIAL champions.

Burrell blew away the competition, defeating Freeport, South Park and Beaver.

Not shockingly, Nikki Scherer led the Bucs with victories in the 100-, 200- and 400-meter dashes.

Beaver, the three-time defending champion, finished in third-place.