Mars, Freeport shine on track

By DEREK PYDA Eagle Staff Writer

May 07, 2008 Last Updated: May 07, 2008 01:55 PM High School

ADAMS TWP — Brandon Rios and Bill Dillen both watched their respective track and field teams turn in great regular seasons.

Tuesday, though, was all about individuals.

Rios, the first-year coach of Mars' boys, liked what he saw at the Northern Qualifier, with the top eight in each event moving on to next week's WPIAL Class AA Championships.

Senior Justin Piocquidio was first in the long jump and tied for first in the high jump with leaps of 22 feet, four inches and 5-8, respectively.

"He wants 23 (feet) in the long jump," Rios said of Piocquidio. "If he gets that at WPIALs and doesn't get first place, I'd still be proud of him and I couldn't complain.

"But Justin wants first," he added. "He's a competitor."

Mars' 4x100 relay team (Bill Bair, Piocquidio, Corey Slater, Shane Kaclik) was second at 44.4 seconds.

The Planets also had strong performances from Vinny Smith (third in the 110 hurdles) and the 4x800 relay team of Brandon Stadelmyer, Justin Stadelmyer, Chris Alikhani and Marc Funderlich, which also placed third.

Tuesday's meet was the start of a big seven-day stretch for the Planets.

They will attempt to defend their Class AA team title from last season at the team championship meet Thursday at West Mifflin.

Next Tuesday is the WPIAL Individual Championships at South Side Beaver High School.

"I told the guys before the meet that seeding is important," said Rios. "It's not like you want to relax here, you want to finish well."

All Dillen knew about the Freeport boys and girls a few months ago was that both teams were young.

Led by Nick Gentile (3rd in the 800 run), Alex Isenberg (2nd in triple jump) and John Douglas (2nd in shot put), the Yellowjackets have a host of boys competitors who are moving on.

On the girls side, Merrissa Malcolm placed first in the pole vault at nine feet.

Amanda Zahumensky (100 hurdles), Jordan Dunn (800 and 1,600 runs), Harley Westerman (triple jump) and the 4x100 relay team all advanced.

"I'm real pleased," Dillen said of his athletes. "We've got a young team, but our boys went 9-2 and our girls 11-1 and they won a section title with not a lot of seniors."

Summit Academy's boys were led by their 4x100 relay squad of Chris Cole, Bijon Marshall, Malcom Reynolds and Kevin Tarr, third with a time of 44.5.

Local WPIAL qualifiers follow:.

Boys3,200-meter relay: 3-Mars (Brandon Stadelmyer, Justin Stadelmyer, Chris Alikhani, Marc Funderlich) 8:46.1;

110-meter hurdles: 3-Vinny Smith (M) 15.9;

100-meter dash: 5(tie)-Chris Cole (SA) 11.4;

1,600-meter run: 4-Nick Gentile (F) 4:47.4;

400 meter relay: 2-Mars (Bill Bair, Justin Piocquidio, Corey Slater, Shane Kaclik) 44.4; 3-Summit Academy (Chris Cole, Bijon Marshall, Malcom Reynolds, Kevin Tarr) 44.5;

300-meter hurdles: 6-Corey Tague (F) 43.7; 8-Jeff Conley (M) 44.5;

800-meter run: 3-Nick Gentile (F) 2:04.0; 7-Marc Funderlich (M) 2:06.2;

200-meter dash: 4-Chris Cole (Summit Academy) 23.22;

3,200-meter run: 7-Nick Edinger (M) 10:28.7; 8-Jake Montag (M) 10:36.5;

1,600-meter relay: 5-Mars (Marc Funderlich, Corey Slater, Vinny Smith, Justin Piocquidio)

High jump: 1(tie)-Justin Piocquidio (M) 5-8; 8(tie)-Shane Kaclik (M) 5-6;

Long jump: 1-Justin Piocquidio (M) 22-4; 6(tie)-Tyler Collins (F) 20-1;

Triple jump: 2-Alex Isenberg (F) 41-7; 3-Tyler Collins (F) 40-4Zx; 5-Cody Clark (F) 39-11; 6-Kevin Tarr (SA) 38-10½;

Shot put: 2-John Douglas (F) 46½;

Discus: 7-Miles Smolic (F) 134-11;

Javelin: 4-Matt Lucas (F) 156-5

Girls100-meter hurdles: 5-Amanda Zahumensky (F) 16.6;