By JOE SCALZO
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
YOUNGSTOWN — Warren Harding track coach Charles Penny was bouncing around the Chaney High track Thursday, keeping one eye on the final races and another eye on the standings.
It looked like his girls and boys teams were minutes away from Steel Valley Conference titles, but he didn't want to hear it.
"You're going to win, coach," said meet official Ralph Roberts.
"You can't say that," Penny said. "No way. I've seen too much stuff."
"I've got the scores right here," Roberts said.
"I don't believe that stuff," Penny replied.
A minute later, after his girls team finished second in the 4x400-meter relay to clinch their first SVC girls title in school history, Penny breathed a sigh of relief, then walked over to his team and exchanged high-fives.
"SVC champs!" he said.
About five minutes later, his Raiders placed fourth in the 4x400 to beat Mooney by one point, securing their second SVC boys title in school history (the other came in 2005).
Finally, Penny could relax.
"This is a big step in our girls program," Penny said. "They're buying into the program and it's starting to show on the track.
"I said this after the Trumbull County meet and I'll say it again — I have a great staff and they deserve the credit," Penny said. "They make me look good day in and day out."
Anzevino, Scarnecchia MVPs
Harding senior Chris Anzevino won the shot and discus to share field MVP with Mooney senior Dom Scarnecchia, who won the high jump and the long jump. Mooney senior Nick Pederzolli was the running MVP after winning the 200 and 400 and helping the Cardinals to victories in the 4x200 and 4x400 relays.
"I think it's great — we're representing Warren Harding," Anzevino said of the team titles. "We're doing our thing and taking home first place."
Anzevino, a state qualifier in the discus last year, is throwing farther in both events than he was at this time last year and has a chance to advance to Columbus in both despite being in the toughest regional in the state in any division.
"I can't wait to get to the playoffs," he said.
Kelley, Dean MVPs
Mooney senior Kait Kelley shared field MVP with sophomore Chelsea Dean. Kelley finished second in the shot put and fifth in the discus, while Dean placed third in the high jump and the long jump.
Ursuline freshman Jasmine Brown won running MVP after finishing first in the 100 and 200 and helping the Irish to titles in the 4x100 and 4x200 relays.
Brown, who was the running MVP for the SVC junior high meet last year, credited her father, Darren Brown, for helping her make a quick adjustment to varsity competition.
"I'm just happy I ran some good times," Brown said. "I'm thankful that God helped get me through all of this and let me be victorious."
scalzo@vindy.com
Friday, May 11, 2007
By JOE SCALZO
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
YOUNGSTOWN — Warren Harding track coach Charles Penny was bouncing around the Chaney High track Thursday, keeping one eye on the final races and another eye on the standings.
It looked like his girls and boys teams were minutes away from Steel Valley Conference titles, but he didn't want to hear it.
"You're going to win, coach," said meet official Ralph Roberts.
"You can't say that," Penny said. "No way. I've seen too much stuff."
"I've got the scores right here," Roberts said.
"I don't believe that stuff," Penny replied.
A minute later, after his girls team finished second in the 4x400-meter relay to clinch their first SVC girls title in school history, Penny breathed a sigh of relief, then walked over to his team and exchanged high-fives.
"SVC champs!" he said.
About five minutes later, his Raiders placed fourth in the 4x400 to beat Mooney by one point, securing their second SVC boys title in school history (the other came in 2005).
Finally, Penny could relax.
"This is a big step in our girls program," Penny said. "They're buying into the program and it's starting to show on the track.
"I said this after the Trumbull County meet and I'll say it again — I have a great staff and they deserve the credit," Penny said. "They make me look good day in and day out."
Anzevino, Scarnecchia MVPs
Harding senior Chris Anzevino won the shot and discus to share field MVP with Mooney senior Dom Scarnecchia, who won the high jump and the long jump. Mooney senior Nick Pederzolli was the running MVP after winning the 200 and 400 and helping the Cardinals to victories in the 4x200 and 4x400 relays.
"I think it's great — we're representing Warren Harding," Anzevino said of the team titles. "We're doing our thing and taking home first place."
Anzevino, a state qualifier in the discus last year, is throwing farther in both events than he was at this time last year and has a chance to advance to Columbus in both despite being in the toughest regional in the state in any division.
"I can't wait to get to the playoffs," he said.
Kelley, Dean MVPs
Mooney senior Kait Kelley shared field MVP with sophomore Chelsea Dean. Kelley finished second in the shot put and fifth in the discus, while Dean placed third in the high jump and the long jump.
Ursuline freshman Jasmine Brown won running MVP after finishing first in the 100 and 200 and helping the Irish to titles in the 4x100 and 4x200 relays.
Brown, who was the running MVP for the SVC junior high meet last year, credited her father, Darren Brown, for helping her make a quick adjustment to varsity competition.
"I'm just happy I ran some good times," Brown said. "I'm thankful that God helped get me through all of this and let me be victorious."
scalzo@vindy.com
Friday, May 11, 2007
Warren Harding track coach Charles Penny was bouncing around the Chaney High track Thursday, keeping one eye on the...
