Big Macs’ Franczyk, Kuchera star at county meet after night of dancing
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McMURRAY – Canon-McMillan senior duo of Elisabeth Franczyk and Rose Kuchera didn’t let the previous night on the dance floor at the prom hinder their performances Saturday in the Washington-Greene County Track & Field Championships at Peters Township’s Confluence Financial Partners Stadium.
Kuchera, who has committed to continue her track & field and academic careers at Duquesne, won the long jump (17-10.75), triple jump (37-02), 100-meter hurdles (15.79) and was part of the Big Macs’ 4×100-meter relay team that won the event in 50.67.
The four victories earned Kuchera the overall MVP of the meet, despite having trouble opening her eyes the early part of the day.
“I am running off no sleep right now and just trying to get through the day,” Kuchera said. “I still have the same goals as last year. I was injured my freshman year and really didn’t do that well, but I have won all my events at this meet since my sophomore year.”
Franczyk, an Ohio track & field commit, was second in the long (17-01.50) and triple jumps (35-09.50) and won the 300 hurdles in 47.32. She didn’t let the late night affect her in jumping a personal best in the long and a season best in the triple.
“I was a little tired after prom, but track always gets me so excited, so I was looking forward to getting up this morning and competing,” Franczyk said. “It is great to compete with Rose. It’s awesome to have someone on your team that can really push you.”
Ava Menzies didn’t have to worry about prom, but the Fort Cherry class valedictorian didn’t let all the excitement get to her in winning the track MVP with victories in the 100 and 200-meter dashes, and a second-place finish in the 400-meter dash with a time of 1:02.01.
Menzies won the 100 in 13.22 and the 200 in 27.76. She was part of the Rangers’ 4×400-meter relay team that finished second in 4:17.18.
“It was just announced yesterday that I am valedictorian of my high school, so it’s been such an amazing week,” Menzies said. “I also compete in cross country and basketball, but I couldn’t compete in cross country this year because I tore my meniscus last year at the track state meet and needed surgery. I mostly do cross country to stay in shape for basketball. I would much rather sprint than do long-distance runs.”
Fort Cherry won its team section title this year, and will participate in the team portion of the WPIAL Track & Field Championships.
“We don’t have a track at our school, and it is very tough to sprint when you don’t have a track because you can’t practice on getting out of the blocks to start the race,” Mezies said. “I have amazing coaches in Coach (Ben) Maxin and Coach Jeff (Sieg), and I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for my coaches. We don’t need a track as long as we have them.”
Menzies will continue her collegiate and academic careers at Pitt-Johnstown.
Canon-McMillan’s Maggie Clair won the shot put with a throw of 37-04 and teammate Abby Tucker was the champion in the javelin (127-02). The Big Macs won the 4×400-meter relay in 4:16. Canon-McMillan won the team title with 189 points.
The Rangers’ Raney Staub won the 800-meter run in 2:28.27. Fort Cherry won the 4×800-meter relay in a time of 10:25.93 to place second in the team standings with 131 points. The host team placed third with 79 points.
Trinity’s Kaylee Foringer won the 1,600 and 3,200-meter runs. She crossed the finish line in 5:23.53 in the 1,600 and 12:15.59 in the 3,200.
Burgettstown’s Peyton Mermon won the 400 in 1:00.67. Ringgold’s Abigael Nicholas won the high jump with a leap of 5-00. Peters Township’s Tessa Hazzard won the pole vault in 10-06.
McGuffey’s Ashlyn Moore topped the field in the discus with a throw of 101-04.