Greensburg Salem’s Binda, Anderson going for PIAA track gold

By: HSSN Staff
Wednesday, May 23, 2018 | 6:42 PM

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Will this be the year the Greensburg Salem track and field program returns from the PIAA championships with a gold medal?

Juniors Cameron Binda and Malia Anderson sure hope so.

Binda, the WPIAL Class AAA 1,600-meter run winner, and Anderson, who placed second in the 800, are high seeds for the meet, which begins 9 a.m. Friday at Shippensburg. The running finals are Saturday.

Binda (4 minutes, 18.94 seconds) is seeded third behind La Salle College senior Evan Addison (4:13.85) and Carlisle junior Jack Wisner (4:18.71).

Teammate Mark Brown (4:21.09) is seeded ninth, and his twin brother Dylan (4:21.40) is seeded 11th.

“I usually like to go out fast. And at WPIALs, we went out in 63 (seconds), and I'm usually at 62 or 61,” Binda said. “So I figure that if I go out a little harder that I did at WPIALs, that I can drop one or two seconds.

“I want to keep it close because I'm confident with the kick I have with 300 or 400 meters to go. I'm going out harder, and I've gotten more confident in my running and I'm keeping things under control and not freaking out. In past years, when someone would get out and pass me, I'd freak out, and that would hurt my mindset.”

Binda prefers to lead the pack or feed off another runner.

“My coaches like have to me to keep right behind someone,” Binda said. “You try to let the lead runner feel confident and then pass him late, and it demoralizes them. For me, when I'm leading, I'm not thinking about anyone else, and I just try to keep a fast pace.”

Binda said his goals changed after winning the WPIAL title. He said if he can't bring home a title, he wants to medal — the higher, the better.

Anderson (2:11.34) is seeded second behind WPIAL champion West Allegheny senior Maddie Salek (2:11.34).

“I've never beaten her,” Anderson said of Salek. “But I feel more confident after the WPIAL meet. I've never been that close to her.”

After looking at the heat sheets, Anderson said she knows there are a lot of tough runners in the state.

“I know there are a lot of girls in the state, but I'm confident I can do well,” Anderson said. “I have to keep the right mindset and stay in front of the pack and give it my all.

“I like to go out quick. Staying in the front keeps me focused. I think a fast field will benefit me. You don't think how fast you are going.”

Anderson said not getting boxed in during the race is important.

“Getting boxed in can ruin your race, especially in the 800,” Anderson said. “You have to go out hard to get ahead of the pack.”

Anderson won the Butler Invitational, the Lady Spartan and the Westmoreland County Coaches' Association meet, but Shady Side Academy freshman Melissa Riggins edged her at Pine-Richland.

Now, she and Binda will try to be the first track athletes to bring back PIAA gold.

Paul Schofield is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at pschofield@tribweb.com or via Twitter @Schofield_Trib.