Jozwiakowski, Helbling, Moye finish strong, bring home gold
Fort Cherry’s Koryn Jozwiakowski lands her triple jump during the WPIAL Class AA track and field championships.
Rachel Helbling of South Fayette bursts out of the blocks on her way to victory in the 400-meter dash during the WPIAL Class AAA track and field championships.
Haley Yenchick prepares to take off down the runway in the pole vault at the WPIAL track and field championships.
Haley Yenchick clears the bar during the pole vault at the WPIAL track and field championships.
PITTSBURGH – Koryn Jozwiakowski should send a thank you card to Maris Seto of Brownsville.
No one was more responsible for Jozwiakowski’s success Thursday in the WPIAL Track & Field Championships at Baldwin High School.
Seto and Jozwiakowski, a junior from Fort Cherry, had identical leaps of 34-10 in last year’s Class AA triple jump. But Seto won the title because her next best jump was better than that of Jozwiakowski. That was used to break the tie.
“I got second place,” Jozwiakowski said. “And I was not happy about it.”
Jozwiakowski rededicated herself this season, starting her training sessions early and putting in more effort when she was at practice.
The results showed Thursday, when Jozwiakowski left no doubt about the championship with a jump of 37-10 1/2. That mark was more than eight inches better than Seto’s second-place effort of 37-2.
Jozwiakowski was one of three area females to capture gold medals at this event. Washington’s Aliyah Moye stunned the field in the long jump, winning with a leap of 17-4. Interestingly, Moye tied Seto, who also hit 17-4, but won because her next best jump was better than Seto’s. And South Fayette’s Rachel Helbling, only a freshman, outdistanced the field in the Class AAA 400.
Jozwiakowski’s winning jump came on her last effort and right after she fouled.
“My mark was a little shaky,” said Jozwiakowksi. “My coach told me to keep it where I am at and try to get a big jump.”
She did, and it was important because Seto’s best jump came on her final effort.
“I was so anxious to get into the 37s again,” Jozwiakowski said. “I just had to do it.”
Last year, Jozwiakowski completed the triple jump just before heavy rains forced the postponement of some events until two days later.
“Right after I jumped, everything that was left was moved to Saturday,” she said. “It was frustrating. This year, I started training early because I didn’t want to finish second again.”
Moye had never before broken 17 feet. She did it three times yesterday, hitting 17-0 1/4, then 17-2 1/4 before the winning jump on her last attempt of 17-4.
“That was so surprising,” said Moye. “I was seeded sixth going into the finals. I’m just so excited. This is a great accomplishment.”
Moye competed in the sprints and triple jump but failed to qualify. The long jump was her last event, possibly for her career because she is a senior.
“I just had to shake it off,” Moye said. “I just had to look at it that I had four chances to go to states. And I’m going.”
Helbling had a strong kick down the stretch to move from third place to winner.
“I was in lane 5 and I passed two girls coming down the straightaway,” said Helbling. “I’ve been working on my kick. I was a little surprised.”
Helbling crossed first in 57.19 and Gabby Holmberg of Hempfield was second with a time of 57.89.
“This will be the first time I’ll be at states ever,” she said. “There will probably be a lot of good competition there. I’m excited.”
Other local female qualifiers for the Class AAA state tournament included Bailey Cooper of Ringgold in the 100-meter hurdles; Chloe Grzyb of Peters Township in the 1,600 run; Canon-McMillan’s 400 relay team; Laura Ehrenberger of Peters Township in the 800 run; Lexi Vidonish of Canon-McMillan in the 300 hurdles; Hannah Falcione of Peters Township in the long jump and Haley Yenchik of Canon-McMillan in the pole vault.
Other Class AA female qualifiers included Brenna Cavanaugh of Bentworth in the 100 hurdles and long jump; Hannah Lacey of Beth-Center in the 200 dash; and Rachel Czulewicz of McGuffey in the javelin.