(Butler, PA) Teenagers Gavin Gardner and Elliette Smith were overall winners, a 9-year-old’s time was the fastest in an 18-and-under age group and 5K runners from six western Pennsylvania counties helped Butler County Community College to raise nearly $10,500 on Sept. 14 to support BC3 intercollegiate athletics.
The Pioneer Pursuit fundraiser on BC3’s main campus in Butler Township drew 60 5K runners, 28 1-mile walkers and 14 100-meter kids’ dashers.
Gardner and Smith are 17-year-old Butler residents. Gardner had the fastest time among males in the 5K at 19 minutes and 49.73 seconds and Smith, among females at 22:22.89. Chloe Schaefer, 9, Butler, topped nine other runners ages 8 to 17 to win the female 18-and-under age group at 28:13.33.
Megan M. Coval, BC3’s interim president, said she was “thrilled” by the turnout for the Pioneer Pursuit 5K, which attracted runners ages 8 to 81 from Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, McKean and Mercer counties.
“One of the really special things about the race is that it includes individuals of all ages,” said Coval, who ran in her first 5K race in five years at the Pioneer Pursuit. “It was exciting to see so many people, children through students through adults who participated in a variety of ways.
“Helping our athletics programs is a wonderful way in which the community can support BC3. Our student-athletes are such hard workers. Not only are they in school, but they are going to practices, competing in games and many of them are working as well. They give a lot of time and energy to these sports and they are dedicated.”
Rob Snyder is BC3’s director of student life and athletics, and head coach of the college’s volleyball team.
“It was nice to see the community come out and support the event,” Snyder said. “The support for our athletics programs is really meaningful.”
“Our student-athletes are such hard workers. Not only are they in school, but they are going to practices, competing in games and many of them are working as well.”
“BC3 can continuously bring people together”
Emma Johns, a graduate of Karns City Area Junior-Senior High, is among BC3 student-athletes representing 19 school districts in nine western Pennsylvania counties in the past year.
The Pioneer Pursuit 5K race was the first for the guard on BC3’s women’s basketball team since she suffered a season-ending knee injury in December.
“I think it is super-cool how BC3 can continuously bring people together,” said Johns, 20, of Bruin, who won the female 19-to-29 age group at 24:12.26. “It was really neat to see how many people were there to support students and their success.”
BC3’s athletics programs have captured 57 Western Pennsylvania Collegiate Conference titles and 27 National Junior College Athletic Association Division III Region 20 crowns.
The college’s golf program has qualified for the NJCAA Division III national championship tournament six times, its volleyball program three times, and its men’s and women’s basketball programs one time each.
“We have successful programs,” Snyder said. “We have visibility in the community and people support us.”
BC3’s volleyball team at 10-0 as of Sept. 18 has the program’s best start since the Pioneers were 16-0 in 2021-2022. BC3 is ranked No. 9 among 87 National Junior College Athletic Association Division III programs.
The college’s men’s golf team was undefeated in the 2023, 2022 and 2021 fall seasons and is 8-0 as of Sept. 18.
BC3’s men’s and women’s basketball squads open their 2024-2025 seasons Nov. 12 at the Community College of Beaver County.
Male top finishers and age-group winners:
Overall: Lucas Bowser, 14, Worthington, finished second at 20:56.49 and Matt Reagle, 39, no hometown listed, third at 21:16.75.
19 to 29: Tyler Eagan, 23, Butler, 21:26.82; James Hendell, 20, Karns City, 22:43.78; and Evan Kaltenvach, 20, no hometown listed, 29:49.86.
30 to 39: Richie Esquivel, 36, Butler, 29:55.27; Jake Graham, 38, Butler, 31:32.59; and Luke Kunkel, 32, Butler, 42:46.35.
40 to 49: Christopher Rossitto, 44, Pittsburgh, 21:44.82; Matthew Schaefer, 46, Butler, 22:16.57; and Philip Coachman, 43, Butler, 22:51.52.
50 and over: John Karpacs, 62, no hometown listed, 27:54.58; Vincent Moore, 50, Butler, 28:00.79; and Jim Smith, 69, Butler, 29:41.44.
Female top finishers and age-group winners:
Overall: Lacee Loos, 29, Chicora, was second at 22:47.32 and Carrie Birckbichler-Smith, 46, Butler, third at 23:48.69.
18-and-under: Chloe Schaefer, 9, Butler, 28:13.33; Kenley Graham, 11, no hometown listed, 28:45.58; and Emily Clouse, 12, West Sunbury, 28:56.86.
19 to 29: Emma Johns, 20, Bruin, 24:12.26; Diana Laslavic, 21, Prospect, 32:17.74; and Chloe Shaw, 21, Bradford, 33:10.31.
30 to 39: Krista Geagan, 38, Butler, 25:13.65; Megan Winters, 38, Butler, 26:24.27; and Beth Graham, 39, no hometown listed, 27:05.41.
40 to 49: Briana Dugan, 44, Butler, 25:04.55; Holly Peterman, 45, New Brighton, 25:21.33; and Tabitha Bowser, 41, Worthington, 26:48.83.
50 and over: Dianna Shaw, 55, Bradford, 34:26.59 and Katherine Metcalfe, 51, Mars, 34:59.34.
The Pioneer Pursuit also raised $1,340 to benefit BC3 alumni programs.
Johns is a physical education-physical activity and fitness management student at BC3.
