Hempfield track qualifiers ready to hit their boiling point at PIAA meet

By: Paul Schofield
Thursday, May 23, 2019 | 4:54 PM

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During the WPIAL team track championships, the Hempfield boys’ team was inspired by a motivational speech from assistant coach LaRoyal Wilson.

His speech focused on the number “212.”

He told the athletes water boils at 212 degrees. At 211, it does nothing, and for the team to reach a boiling point and their goal of winning a title, everyone has to do their job.

That’s what the Spartans did in winning their seventh WPIAL team title.

That number, 212, has now become a staple for the team as they progressed through the WPIAL individual championships. Many, if not all the boys, have 212 marked on their wrists.

“Coach Wilson got us fired up, and it’s motivating us,” senior Jared Bannon said. “It’s like our battle cry.”

Bannon won the WPIAL Class AAA 110-meter hurdles by running a school-record 14.11 seconds. He is seeded No. 1 going into the PIAA championships Friday and Saturday at Shippensburg’s Seth Grove Stadium.

“I know if I want to win a PIAA gold medal, I’ll probably need to be in the 13s,” Bannon said.

Bannon, who also will compete in the 200 and anchor the 400-meter relay team, wasn’t Hempfield’s only WPIAL champion. Jacob Boord won the javelin with his personal-best throw of 172 feet, 7 inches.

The junior feels he can challenge for a medal if he hits his steps right.

“I know I can throw further,” Boord said. “I feel I have a 190 still left this season. I’ll just use 212 as motivation.”

Other Hempfield boys competing for individual medals include pole vaulter Tanner Barnhart, shot putter Daniel Norris, sprinter Nathan Roby (100) and high jumper Gavin Mayo.

Bannon, Roby and Mayo all set school records at the WPIAL meet.

Orie going for gold

Hempfield senior Mackenna Orie is seeded second behind Council Rock South sophomore Siniru Iheoma in both the shot put and discus.

Iheoma ‘s throw in the shot put in a half-inch longer that Orie’s throw of 44 feet and a half inch. In the discus, Iheoma’s throw of 152-7 is seven inches further than Orie.

Hempfield throwing coach Dave Murray said Orie is ready to unleash her best throws.

“She wasn’t seeded No. 1 during the indoor season and then had her best throw at states,” Murray said. “She’s in good shape, and she’s been having good days at practice.”

Orie’s teammate, Isabella Gera, also is competing in both throwing events.

Senior Jenna Uncapher will compete in the high jump.

Lions are golden

Greensburg Salem senior twins Cameron and Dylan Binda will be in search of gold medals this weekend at the PIAA meet.

Cam Binda has one of the top times in the 3,200-meter run, and Dylan Binda has a top-five time in the 1,600.

Junior Brenden Lewis has one of the better seed times in the 110-meter hurdles.

Senior Malia Anderson will be in the highly-competitive 800-meter race. There are only six seconds separating the top nine runners.

Anderson has the fourth fastest time at 2:13.69.

Centurions vaulters

Greensburg Central Catholic junior Patrick Brewer and freshman Corinn Brewer picked up silver medals in the pole vault at the WPIAL Class AA championships.

Now the siblings are hoping for medals at the PIAA meet.

Patrick cleared 13 feet at WPIALs, and Corinn cleared 11-3.

Patrick likely will need to clear 13-6 to medal, and Corinn will need another 11-3 effort to reach the podium.

Paul Schofield is a TribLive reporter covering high school and college sports and local golf. He joined the Trib in 1995 after spending 15 years at the Daily Courier in Connellsville, where he served as sports editor for 14 years. He can be reached at pschofield@triblive.com.

Tags: Hempfield