BVA’s Anden, SA’s Anderson bring home WPIAL gold

By PAUL SCHOFIELD
For MVI Sports

Belle Vernon senior Dane Anden missed the WPIAL playoffs in football.

He had ankle surgery after the season, but you wouldn’t know it affected him.

Anden won the high jump at the WPIAL Class AAA Track and Field Championships Wednesday at Slippery Rock University.

His jump 6-foot-3 and edged out Hempfield senior Sam Parker. Anden attempted the school record at 6-4 but missed and will have to wait another meet for that.

Anden, who will attend Penn State and major in engineering,  was ecstatic after the win.

“It’s a great feeling to win this title,” Anden said. “Especially nice because I really didn’t feel well this morning.”

Anden said his legs were sore and then he had to overcome butterflies once he got to the meet.

“I’m excited about competing in the state meet,” Anden said. “I know I can go higher.”

Another Valley athlete bringing home gold was South Allegheny’s Eric Anderson. Anderson won the Class 2A 110m hurdles by beating Southmoreland’s Jake VanArsdale by 1/100th of a second. Anderson finished in 15.74 seconds.

Anderson’s Gladiators teammate, Donato Dimucci finished third at 16.15 seconds.

Ringgold freshman Ryan Pajak and Elizabeth Forward senior Robert Hrabosky brought home silver medals.

Pajak placed second in the 3200 and Hrabosky second in the third 200 hurdles.

“I’m so excited about getting a chance to compete in the state meet,” Pajak said. “We came up short in the 3200 relay.”

Ringgold placed sixth in the event, but needed to place in the top four or hit the state qualifying standards.

Belle Vernon’s Francesca Scaramucci placed third in the high jump.

“I’m so excited to get a chance to go to states,” Scaramucci said. “It will be my first time.”

For full local results of Thursday’s WPIAL Championships, check out Friday’s edition of the Mon Valley Independent.