Depth pays off as Fort Cherry moves on to track finals
Jim Downey/For the Observer-Reporter
Fort Cherry’s McKenzie Faure finished first in the 100-meter hurdles in Tuesday’s WPIAL Class AA team semifinals at Waynesburg. Faure’s winning time was 17.10 seconds.
Fort Cherry's Mara Whalen takes the final turn on her way to a first-place finish in the 400 during Tuesday's WPIAL Class AA team semifinals at Waynesburg. Whalen's winning time was 1:00.17.
Waynesburg's Bree Echegaray clears the bar in the high jump during Tuesday's WPIAL Class AA team semifinals Tuesday. Echegaray finished second overall with a jump of 4-11½.
WAYNESBURG — The Fort Cherry girls were too deep for the other three teams in the WPIAL Class AA team semifinal at Waynesburg, and that depth paid off Tuesday with a berth into the district team championship.
The Rangers defeated Beaver, 84-66, South Side Beaver, 114-36, and the Raiders, 99-51, to advance to the WPIAL Class AA Team Championship on Monday at Peters Township.
Beaver beat Waynesburg, 101-49, and South Side, 122-28. The Raiders defeated South Side, 96-53.
Mara Whalen led the charge for the Rangers with wins in the 100 (17.10), 400 (1:00.17), and 800 (2:25.50). She also ran a leg on the victorious 3,200 relay.
“I usually don’t run the 100, but I did pretty good, I think. The 400 was a pretty good time. I’m proud of it,” said Whalen. “The 800 was okay.
“Today was more of getting PRs (personal bests), in my opinion.”
McKenzie Faure (100 high hurdles), Jadyn Hartner (200), 400 relay, and Haley Felton (javelin) also had overall first-place finishes for the Rangers.
Waynesburg’s Juliana Fowler had an eventful day, winning the triple jump (32-7½) and long jump (15-7¾), and finishing third in the 100 (13.46).
“My goal is the team. This was a real big meet for our team,” said Fowler. “We’re trying to get past the first round. It’s a team mindset moreso than just me.”
The 400 relay had an issue with a handoff, but Fowler almost pulled the Raiders into second place.
The Raiders fared well in the field events with Madison Brooks winning the shot put (34-7¾) and discus (112-1) and Taylor Shriver taking first in the pole vault (10-1).
Bree Echegaray cleared 4-11½ to take second place in the high jump.