Five things to watch at the WPIAL Class AA boys track and field championships

By: Paul Schofield
Monday, May 13, 2019 | 8:04 PM

The WPIAL track and field championships are Thursday at Slippery Rock, the first time at the venue after it was contested for more than 20 years at Baldwin.

There are numerous returning Class AA boys champions who are looking for a trip to the PIAA championships May 24-25 at Shippensburg.

Here are five things to watch in the WPIAL Class AA boys competition:

Denied, for now

Waynesburg senior Daniel Layton had his appeal to change a clerical error rejected by the WPIAL on Monday.

Layton, the returning 110-meter hurdles champion, won’t be defending his title unless the WPIAL’s decision is overturned by the PIAA. Layton’s dad, Rick, Waynesburg’s coach, mistakenly took his son out of the 110 hurdles instead of taking him out of the 300 hurdles.

As of now, Layton will compete in the 300 hurdles, pole vault and with the 1,600 relay team. He is seeded No. 1 in the pole vault (14 feet, 7 inches).

Challengers for M.J.

Aliquippa senior and Kentucky football commit M.J. Devonshire is the returning 100 and 200 champion. Two new challengers have emerged as Greensburg Central Catholic senior Bryce Kurpiel, who played baseball in 2018, has the fastest times behind Devonshire in the 100 according to the WPIAL website, and to Carlynton junior Dequay Canton, who has the second fastest in the 200.

Derry flash

Riverside senior Jackson Coyne is the returning 400 champion, but he doesn’t have the fastest recorded time in 2019. Derry junior Justin Huss ran it in 50.19 seconds, and Coyne’s fastest time is 50.38.

Catch me if you can

North Catholic junior Joseph Kearney is the returning long jump champion (22-8). Kearney has bettered that this season, jumping 22-10¹⁄₂. The only other jumper in Class AA to eclipse 22 feet is Riverside junior Nathan Sciarro (22-¹⁄₄).

Not defending title

There is going to be a new 300 hurdles champion because Shady Side Academy senior Dino Tomlin is not competiting. That leaves the door open for Riverside senior Calvin Wetzel (39.92), Riverside junior Brett Hart (40.09), Layton (40.67) and Brentwood junior John Milcic (40.70).

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: Aliquippa, Brentwood, Derry Area, Greensburg C.C., North Catholic, Riverview, Waynesburg