As easy as 1-2-3

May 11, 2000|By DAN KAUFFMAN

As easy as 1-2-3: Smithsburg sweeps hurdles to highlight county meet

SMITHSBURG - For Smithsburg hurdlers Matt Seifarth, Mark Hutzell and Kyle Dingle, it was just another Thursday workout on their home track.

Except this wasn't a practice session. This was the Washington County Championships, and there was business to attend to.

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"I knew there'd be smiles on all their faces if we went 1-2-3," Seifarth said after the trio did just that in the 110-meter high hurdles, leading the Leopards' boys to a second-place team finish.

"It's something we worked for all three years," Hutzell added. "It's like a dream come true for us."

Williamsport claimed the boys title with 193 1/2 points as Nathan Buchman won both the 1,600 and 3,200. Smithsburg's girls won their eighth county championship in nine years, scoring 215 points to outdistance North Hagerstown.

The most impressive sight in a meet full of them, however, was Seifarth, Hutzell and Dingle making a purple-and-gold beeline for the finish in the hurdles.

Seifarth took the win in 15.9 seconds, using a quick start to fend off Hutzell, who clocked 16.1.

"I knew if I wanted to do decent, I had to get a good start," Seifarth said. "Hutzell was my motivation. I knew I had to get a good start to (beat) him."

Dingle fended off Hancock's Mike Hixon to complete the Smithsburg sweep.

"I didn't get out of the blocks very well," Dingle said. "I knew I was going for third, because I knew those two were gone. ... It's really awesome. I was hoping we'd go 1-2-3 on this one."

"They've got the potential, all three of them, to finish in the top six at a big meet," Leopards coach Buddy Orndorff said. "We don't expect them to do it, but they can."

Hutzell hopes they get a chance to do the trick at an even bigger meet - the Class 1A state meet.

"It's the greatest thing to be here with the guys," Hutzell said. "We just need to make it to states."

A couple of county records fell by the boards. Smithsburg's Michelle Feiser broke the girls 300 hurdles record by a full second (45.5) and also won the 400.

"We've wanted to double her up for a long time," Orndorff said. "I wasn't sure she was ready ... she proved me wrong."

Williamsport's Sarah McDonald improved her county record in the girls pole vault by 1 foot, 4 inches, clearing 10-4.

South Hagerstown sprinter Emilie Bonano matched the 100 record of 12.4. She also won the 200 and anchored South's winning 400 and 800 relay teams.

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