Benco’s javelin throw tops in state

Before Saturday, Scott Benco was sending out applications to various colleges in the hope someone might take notice.
Now, colleges will certainly be coming to Waynesburg to seek him out.
That’s because of what the 6-4, 220-pound senior at Waynesburg High School accomplished at the Tri-State Track Coaches Association Outdoor Championships at West Mifflin High School yesterday afternoon.
Benco, on his final try, launched the javelin 195-2, the longest throw in the state and 11th best in the country this season.
Benco obliterated his previous best throw of 160-0 with his four throws in the finals, eliminating all challengers in this 50-team invitational.
His throws in the finals of this event went 179, 180, 182 and the record 192-5. By the time he was up for his final try, Benco had sewn up first place.
“That was key for me,” said Benco. “It made me relax. There was no pressure on the last throw so I just let it fly.”
Benco wasn’t the only winner for the Raiders. Taylor Shriver cleared 12-0 to win the girls pole vault and Daniel Layton turned in a 14.66 to win the 110 hurdles. Layton missed a PR in the event by just .02 seconds.
Benco has hit in the mid-170s in practice. He competed in indoor track but the javelin is not usually contested, Benco said. He triple jumps and runs the 200, mostly to support the team in meets.
“I have a good wing span,” Benco said. “That helps me throw.”
Benco has been running track for only two seasons. He is the placekicker and punter on the Raiders’ football team and he was a pitcher on the baseball team until his junior year.
He finished second in the WPIAL in the javelin with a throw of 162-0 and earned a berth in the PIAA Championships in Shippensburg. He failed to medal there.