Baggetta, Bliss on top in field events

Butler, Union/A-C Valley girls win triple jump, javelin

Derek Pyda Eagle Staff Writer

April 21, 2023 Last Updated: April 22, 2023 09:54 AM Sports

Megan Baggetta jumps in the triple jump, placing first during the Butler Track Invitational at Art Bernardi Stadium on Friday. Justin Guido/ Butler Eagle 04/21/23

BUTLER TWP — When it comes to competitions, Megan Baggetta does not like to assume anything.

“I never enter an event thinking that I’m definitely going to win. I don’t like to think that way,” the Butler senior said Friday at the 58th Annual Butler Track and Field Invitational. “But with this being my last invite here and the fact I was the reigning champion (in the triple jump), yeah I really wanted to win.”

That hope turned into reality as Baggetta went 39 feet in the event, just 3/4 of an inch from her school record, to claim first place.

Kimaya Williams from Obama Academy was a distant second at 37-3, which was the same distance Baggetta won with here last year.

The girls triple jump was held in the early afternoon with the sun shining and temperatures in the low 80s.

“I loved it,” said Baggetta. “There was a tailwind, it was sunny, warm but not hot.”

She has medaled (top eight) the last two years at the WPIAL and state meets and is hoping for big things over the next five weeks.

“Forty feet, that’s the goal by the end of the season,” said Baggetta. “I have the speed and the technique. It’s just a matter of everything coming together at once.”

Two years ago, Evie Bliss wasn’t able to crack 100 feet in the javelin.

How times have changed.

The senior for Union/A-C Valley placed second in the state last year and her effort Friday could be the springboard to a great finish to her scholastic career.

Bliss’ heave of 138-9 earned for her a first-place medal. Her personal-best is 151.

“I’ve been working on a lot of things and knew I had a shot to win today,” she said. “Things started clicking for me last year at the Redbank Valley Invite, threw 130 feet.

“I was a pitcher on my little league baseball team and also was a swimmer, so I’ve got strong shoulders.”