Jonah Montagnese has had a brilliant career so far as a third-year distance runner in the Quaker Valley track and field program.
Montagnese added another milestone to his resume at the 61st annual Butler Invitational on April 18 at Art Bernardi Stadium.
The QV junior broke his own meet record and own school record in the boys 3,200-meter run with a time of 8:56.16.
“I was super excited about what I was able to accomplish at the Butler Invite this year,” Montagnese said. “Last year, I won the 3,200, so it felt great to come back and defend my title. I am especially happy that I was able to run a fast time while pushing myself in the front on my own.
“I knew I was running fast; my coach was letting me know that I was on pace to break the record. My expectations for the rest of the season are to do my best in every race I’m in and hope for (achieving) the goal of adding a couple of championships this May at states.”
Coach Jared Jones was impressed by the QV athletes’ effort at Butler.
“We had a pretty successful weekend,” Jones said. “The Butler Invitational was a good showing all around. Jonah’s performance in the 3,200-meter was a big highlight.”
Another highlight for the Quakers was the performance of junior Kieran Cain, who placed third in the 100 meters, fifth in the 200 meters and ran a leg on the boys 400-meter relay team that finished fifth. Cain was joined by juniors Hugo Castellini and James Irwin and senior Jayden Juliano in the relay race.
Aiden Dwyer, a senior, was a double medalist for the boys team as were senior Mimi Thiero and junior Rose Pocasangre on the girls side.
Dwyer finished fifth in the high jump and eighth in the triple jump.
Thiero corralled fourth place in the high jump and Pocasangre ended up seventh in the 300-meter hurdles. Both girls also ran a leg in the 400-meter relay in which QV took sixth place. Thiero and Pocasangre were joined by junior Maddie Gatehouse and freshman Barrett Renner.
Other medalists for the QV boys team included sophomore Connor Dwyer and senior River Capek, with seventh-place showings in the high jump and 800 meters, respectively, and senior Jayden Juliano, who secured eighth place in the 400.
Mia Gartley, a senior, rolled to fourth in the girls 800 while sophomore Lucy Montagnese ended up eighth in the 3,200.
Two other top-10 finishes for QV were turned in by seniors Ryan Kempton, who placed ninth in the boys 1,600, and Emma Currier, who placed ninth in the girls triple jump.
QV athletes also competed in the SRA High School Invitational April 17 hosted by Slippery Rock University.
Xander Vescio, a senior, was a double medalist for the boys team in the 110 hurdles and long jump. Cain (100), Capek (400), Connor Dwyer (high jump) and Aiden Dwyer (triple jump) also were medalists.
For the QV girls team, individual medalists included Gatehouse (200), junior Evie Rosselli (100 hurdles), Pocasangre (100 hurdles), Thiero (high jump) and Currier (triple jump).
Thiero took first place in the high jump by clearing a height of 5 feet, 6 inches.
Panthers earn medals
Sewickley Academy’s track and field team also traveled to the Butler Invitational and had two medalists in sophomore Zachary Sharara and freshman Claire Karsman.
Sharara placed eighth in the boys 3,200 as did Karsman in the girls 300-meter hurdles.
Senior Justin Prunzik also captured 10th place in the boys high jump.
Karsman was a triple medalist at the Tri-State Track Coaches Association outdoor championship meet April 11 at West Mifflin.
Karsman racked up top-eight showings in the 100- and 300-meter hurdles and long jump. She also landed in ninth place in the triple jump.
Prunzik garnered fifth place in the high jump.