Westmoreland track notebook: Greensburg Salem’s Binda claims gold in 1,600

By: HSSN Staff
Thursday, May 17, 2018 | 10:24 PM

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Cameron Binda continued to pull away from the pack in the 1,600-meter run.

The Greensburg Salem junior won his first WPIAL Class AAA track and field title Thursday at Baldwin, and his run also pulled teammates Mark Brown and brother Dylan Binda to a spot in the PIAA championships May 25-26 at Shippensburg.

Binda finished in 4 minutes, 18.94 seconds to beat Mt. Lebanon's Patrick Anderson by two seconds.

Brown placed third (4:21.09) and Dylan Binda was fourth at (4:21.40).

For much of his career the trio ran together.

“I just stuck on the pack,” Binda said. “I knew they were going to start fast and I liked that, so I stuck with them. Then with 300 (meters) to go, I just took it out. I started going out faster and kicking it in sooner.”

Binda said it means a lot that the trio is headed to states together.

“We've been running together since middle school,” Binda said. “It means a lot that we continue to run together. We just want to medal, all of us, at states.”

Franklin Regional duo wins

Franklin Regional seniors Matt Busche and Jacob Shedd captured gold medals in the Class AAA boys meet.

Busche won the 800, and Shedd, despite rolling his ankle on his first attempt, won the triple jump. Shedd placed fourth in the long jump.

“It was super exciting. I got a new best time (1:53.31),” Busche said. “I was boxed in for about half the race, I went out a lot slower, but I think it worked out to my advantage. I didn't have the best time coming in, but I had the best time coming back from last season. I was pretty confident coming in.”

He finished third last year.

Shedd's winning jump was 44 feet, 6¾ inches.

“The injury prevented me from going after 45 feet,” Shedd said. “But another win is another win. I'm looking forward to going to states.”

Another title for Ritenour

Greensburg Central Catholic senior Lauren Ritenour captured her second consecutive WPIAL Class AA title with a personal best jump of 11-3.

It was the fourth consecutive year a GCC athlete won the pole vault crown. Michelle Karabin won it 2016 and ‘15.

“I was just happy that I could clear above 11; I've been taking good attempts all season,” Ritenour said. “I was happy that I finally could clear the height I've been clearing in practice.

“Taylor (Waynesburg freshman Shriver) and I jump together at West Virginia and it was awesome for her to be here and push me. I don't know if I could have won without her.”

Two Greensburg Central Catholic boys' vaulters — Mani Snyder and Aiden Brewer — also qualified for the state meet by tying for third with a jump of 13 feet. Patrick Brewer cleared 12-6 and finished seventh, but didn't qualify.

Big day for Moreta

Hempfield senior Eudel Moreta qualified for the PIAA meet in three events after winning the 200 and taking fourth in the 400 and sixth in the long jump (22-2½).

Moreta, however, will not run the 400 at the state meet, which allowed Latrobe's Mitchel Carl to take his spot.

A native of the Dominican Republic, Moreta was asked to try out for the team his freshman year. He's glad he did.

“It wasn't my best day, but I'm still proud,” Moreta said. “I was really pleased with my run in the 200 and the long jump. I really wanted to win the 200.”

Moreta will compete next season at Wheeling Jesuit.

Huss sets Derry record

Derry senior Will Huss placed second in the Class AA 400 and set a school record in the process.

Huss' time was 51.09, beating the time of Andrew Downey (51.14).

Huss also ran the first leg of the 1,600 relay that placed second. Also running Elias Kott, Shawn Broadway and brother Justin Huss.

Broadway qualified in the 110 hurdles (second) and 300 hurdles (fourth).

Paul Schofield is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at pschofield@tribweb.com or via Twitter @Schofield_Trib.

Tags: Derry Area, Franklin Regional, Greensburg C.C., Greensburg Salem