Cavanaugh wins twice, gets silver in AA track
Brenna Cavanaugh clears the hurdle on her way to a WPIAL championship in the 100 meters.
Brenna Cavanaugh, WPIAL 100-meter hurdles champion.
Eleanor Bailey/Observer-Reporter
Rachel Helbling bursts out of the blocks during the 400-meter dash. The South Fayette senior finished second in the race during the WPIAL Track and Field Championships.
BALDWIN – The start was quick and explosive.
The steps were perfect.
And the leaps were deer-like in their takeoff and landing.
Brenna Cavanaugh of Bentworth had a magnificent effort in the 100-meter hurdles, blowing away the field on the way to a second consecutive gold medal in the event at the WPIAL Class AA Track Championship Thursday at Baldwin High School.
Cavanaugh might be remembered for her dramatic comeback following a fall in the semifinals in the state tournament last year and her incredible victory from Lane 8, unheard of for sprint races at that level.
But her smooth technique and power – the hallmark of her success in the event – was what was on display on this day.
Cavanaugh crossed in 14.51, seven-tenths of a second faster than any of the finalists, to defend her title.
“I was just thinking about finishing,” Cavanaugh said of the hurdles race. “I wanted to get a good time and not hit any hurdles.”
Cavanaugh, a senior headed to Eastern Michigan University next fall, has finished first, first, second and third in the 100 hurdles in this event.
And she will be the heavy favorite when the PIAA Championships are held at Shippensburg University during Memorial Day weekend.
“This year has been pretty laid off and I’m grateful for it,” she said. “I’ll continue to practice but not as hard as I have been.”
While many complained about the snowy cold and wet weather the spring unleashed on the sport, it actually was a godsend to Cavanaugh.
The numerous postponements allowed Cavanaugh to rest and re-energize after a grueling indoor season.
“I finished third in the 60 hurdles and that was the first time I medaled there,” Cavanaugh said of the indoor state tournament. “There are a lot of good competition there, Double-A and Triple-A kids.”
Cavanaugh finished second in the triple jump and first in the long jump (18-6). She plans on competing in all three events at the state tournament. She was third in the long jump and did not place in the triple jump last year in Shippensburg.
Fort Cherry’s Mara Whalen took second place in the 400 (60.68).
Waynesburg’s Taylor Shriver took second place in the girls Class AA pole vault, clearing the same height – 11-3 – as Lauren Rittenour of Greensburg Central Catholic but finished second because of more misses.
Still, it was a personal record, thanks in part to a little help from South Side Beaver.
“I had a pole leant to me and it made a huge difference,” said Layton. “The weight was different (130). I never tried it before. Most likely, I’ll use one (like that) at states.”
Savannah Wheeler of Chartiers-Houston qualified in two events after finishing second in the shot put (37-7) and fifth in the discus (109-2).
“The 37-7 was a surprise,” said Wheeler, a senior who is headed to Edinboro to compete next fall. “I really didn’t do anything different. The discus was a surprise because I’ve only been hitting 100 or so.”
South Fayette’s Rachel Helbling qualified in two individual events, finishing second in the 400 dash and third in the 200 dash (25.59).
“The 400 is my best event,” said Helbling. “The 400 is a tough race but I’ve run it so many times, I’m used to it. It definitely took a while to get used to. I used to go out and do whatever. Now I’ve learned more about it.”
Jaime Handra of Trinity finished second in the high jump, clearing 5-3.