NYS Championship Track and Field recap: Norwich snags medals in seven events
Cameron Turner and Robert Jeffrey
Cameron Turner Photo
UNION-ENDICOTT – Hard work, perseverance and putting it all together – the Norwich and Unadilla Valley Track and Field varsity programs enjoyed advancing the best of their student-athletes to this year’s New York State Championship for outdoor Track and Field.
The two day meet, held at Ty Cobb Stadium at Union-Endicott High School this past weekend, June 9 and 10 – featured the best of the best.
The best of the best in NYS high school Track and Field included the likes of Norwich’s Zack Race, his 4x100m relay team (Race, David Berger, Ky’sawn Veale, and Eric Conant), Norwich’s Kara Evans and Caroline Stewart and the Norwich girls 4x800m relay team (Katie Gawronski, Nicole Jeffrey, Hailey Colabelli, and Meghan Komendarek) – as well as Unadilla Valley sprinter, Julia Oglesby.
Race dominated the field, bringing home five medals and securing a podium finish in the Federation finals (Combined finals for DI and DII schools) in the 100m and 200m dashes. Caroline Stewart would compete in two events, besting her seeding to bring home podium finishes in DII for long and triple jump – while the boys 4x100m relay team reset the NHS school record to bring home a podium finish in DII.
Norwich completes a season where both the boys and girls squad smashed multiple school records – en route to both winning the Class B Championship in the same year – an accomplishment that head coach Shaun Horan says hasn’t happened since at least 1993.
Full results for the 2017 New York State Championship for outdoor Track and Field can be found online at http://www.leonetiming.com/2017/Outdoor/States/
• Norwich’s Zack Race – five podium finishes in the 100m, 200m, 4x100m relay
Race, just a junior and having now officially completed his second year of track and field – just might be the most improved state class sprinter in NYS – and that is saying something with regard to a sprinter who made a podium finish at states in their first year of competition.
Race entered the NYS Championship seeded fifth in the 100m dash and third in the 200m dash.
“You’ve got to go back to last year. That was really his (Race’s) first full year of track and I think he was glad to make the state meet last year. Even though he medaled in the 200 (in 2016), he barely made the finals, and that was just for small schools,” said Norwich head coach Shaun Horan. “This year he ran some great races, only missing a PR by .02 in the 100m, and that got him to federation finals. The goal really was to place as high as he possible could in Division II. He was really in contention for that DII state title in the 200. If it was a 210m race it might have been a different story.”
Race put together a stellar performance on the weekend, bringing home five medals for Norwich High School – starting with his very first performance on the track, the 100m dash.
Facing a strong wind, Race busted out a 10.93 in the preliminary round of the event on Friday. This mark – of a sub 11 second race – was met by just three sprinters in DII, Race being the third – all other DII sprinters ran in the 11 second range.
“Last year he came to experience it. But this year, he stepped up in every aspect. He improved in every single spot,” said Norwich sprinting coach Phil Curley. “He brought home five medals, which is really impressive. He tied his personal best 100m at 10.93), into a headwind.”
Heading into the finals of the DII 100m dash, Race was seeded third. Emerging from the group of eight runners, Race was ranked third, running a time of 11.13 – only losing to Jaheim Jones of Lourdes at 10.97 and Kabongo Barry of Spackenkill at 11.04.
Although an 11 second 100m was not the goal, this mark still advanced Race to the Federation finals later on Saturday.
Nigel Green of William Floyd would take home the gold in the event with a 10.80 – earning him an outright state championship. However, Race is now marked as the seventh fastest sprinter in NYS, as he finished seventh in the Federation finals, running a 11.16.
“He went from just trying to bring home one medal last year, and this year he brought home five medals. It is pretty incredible,” said coach Horan. “As much as he has improved, he knows he still has work to do. He is still very focused and trying to improve, and working hard. He hasn’t settled in.”
Race wasn’t done yet, his best event on the track was still to come – the 200m dash.
“States was amazing, clearly the competition is the best of the best so being able to compete with those caliber of guys is truly a blessing. As far as times go, yeah I’m not gonna lie I’m a tad disappointed, but even when I’m not having my greatest of days I still made federation in both my events,” said Race of his performance over the weekend. “Yes that’s something to be proud of, and for now I am, but for me I don’t like to settle in.”
The 200m dash saw Race blow out the competition on Friday in the preliminary round – running a time of 22.05 and winning his qualifying heat.
Advancing to the DII finals, Race was again seeded third behind D’Andre Barriffe of Bishop Loughlin at 21.87 and Jaheim Jones of Lourdes at 22.01.
And that is how the rankings stayed – one, two three – Race would fly to hit a mark in the 21 second range, however, could not overcome Barriffe or Jones as he placed third for DII in the 200m.
Race’s time of 21.85 is no joke, despite not standing atop the podium, as he advanced to the Federation finals as well in this event. Facing NYS best sprinters once again, it was no easy task for the second year Norwich sprinter. Race would finish eighth in Federation which classifies him as the 8th fastest in the entire state for the 200m dash in 2017 – as he ran a time of 22.30.
Five medals, a podium finish in DII 100m and 200m – with a Federation podium finish in both events – while throwing in a DII podium finish in the 4x100m relay. Race had a stellar weekend and season.
“Just means it’s right back to work this upcoming week and begin preparing for next year. I’d like to say thanks again, to my coaches for all the time they’ve taken away from their families in order too come down to the track. They not only help us become better athletes, but overall better people. Lastly, thank you to my family and friends once again for always being there too support me,” said Race.
Race will be traveling down to Greensboro, North Carolina to compete in the Emerging Elite division at the New Balance Nationals competition this coming Saturday.
– CT
• Norwich’s 4x100m relay – second-place in DII
Four stellar student-athletes, all flying around the track dead set on making the best of their state berth in 2017.
David Berger, a freshman, flew out of the blocks on Friday evening in what will go down in history as Norwich’s fastest relay ever ran.
Berger handed to Norwich’s fastest sprinter Zack Race – who was hot off two stellar performances in the 100m and 200m preliminary heats. Race used the backstretch and wind on Friday to propel himself, as the gap grew on the rest of the DII 4x100m competition.
It all seemed to be going as planned. Norwich was chasing – and had a legitimate shot at a DII State Championship in the relay.
Race handed to senior, Ky’sawn Veale, who bolted around the third leg of the race, rounding the corner to extend the baton to the NHS anchor – sophomore Eric Conant.
It was a dead sprint between Conant and UPrep Rochester junior, Fonati Merriam. Conant would fly down the track – staring down a state championship – however, Merriam would find a pocket in the strong headwind, coming out of nowhere to take the crown of the DII relay sprinters.
Norwich’s second-place finish in the finals of the 4x100m relay is unprecedented – and just losing one leg of their relay – Norwich has solidified themselves as a powerhouse for next season.
The squad reset their NHS record, to now rest at 43.48 – only missing the qualifying time to advance to the national competition by .04 of a second. UPrep Rochester would manage a winning time of 43.17.
“The times from first to second, those are the two fastest Division II times in New York State this year. We (Norwich and UPrep Rochester) both just ran out of our minds. Going from the start, David Berger, he had a really really good start. It was phenomenal. Then the passes, the hand offs were just great. I think you just watch everybody and it was just really well done,” said Norwich head coach Shaun Horan. “There are so many variables (in the 4x100m relay). So many things that can go wrong, and we had some problems earlier in the year. We went out of the zone one time, we lost in a dual meet, we bobbled some batons. Then to have everything go well at the state meet. Another school record and its about a second faster than the old school record. It was a great accomplishment. They handled the pressure of the state meet. With the exception of Zack (Race), none of them had been there before.”
Norwich’s relay squad entered the state meet seeded 6th with their school record time of 43.83. They successfully four squads ranked higher than they, with the most notably being Rye County Day – who was ranked number one in NYS for DII with their personal best time of 43.60.
“I think our team performance was pretty good considering we broke our school record again and took second in states,” said Conant. “The competition at states was much faster but I think as a 4x1, we were all ready to take it on. I’m happy with what our 4x1 accomplished, but next year we’ll be back for more, faster and better.”
Race added similar sentiments on the 4x100m relay second-place finish in DII.
“I believe our relay team killed it. We wanted too send Pop (Ky’sawn Veale) out in a big way, obviously getting first was our main objective but I think second-place and running almost a half a second PR is honestly amazing. I’m extremely proud of my boys and I’ve loved working with them. Spending day in, and day out with them is something I will never forget,” said Race.
Norwich will be looking to fill some big shoes come the 2018 outdoor season, as Ky’sawn, the lone senior, will not be a part of the record-breaking squad – instead he will be prepping all summer to play collegiate football.
“We did good, I mean we wanted first, but who doesn’t. States was an amazing experience, especially because that was my last time in a purple jersey. Competition at states was mind blowing, I thought the coolest thing was some kid high jumping 7’0. I would like to thank my parents, coaches and teammates for all the encouragement they gave me throughout year.”
Norwich’s 4x100m relay team finished as the 17th fastest squad in NYS for the 2017 season.
– CT
Norwich’s Kara Evans – takes 10th for DII discus
Senior Kara Evans, successfully kept the streak alive for the Norwich throwers – having now officially had six straight years of an NHS thrower advance to the New York State Championship meet.
Heading into the competition, Evans explained that her hard work and dedication to training with Norwich throwing coach Tom Stoddard, was the key to her success at the state level.
That being said, the competition is the best of the best. Evans headed into the weekend ranked 10th for DII discus, a mark she kept when all was said and done.
It’s unfortunate that it was her first time in the state meet. I think she (Evans) might have been a little nervous. She threw her first two throws out of bounds,” said Norwich head coach Shaun Horan. “She only missed finals by a foot. You throw your first two out of bounds, so you kind of just make your third one safe. So I think she may have backed off it a little.
Despite struggling with the first two throws – faults due to throwing out of bounds – Evans was able to launch a throw of 108’9” on her third attempt to ensure a place in the standings. Had she made finals, settled in, and attacked the discus field it may have been a different story for Evans – who notably, has been marked throwing in the 115’- 118’ range during practice.
If a mark of that caliber were met, Evans would have potentially placed fourth in DII women’s discus for 2017.
“She was able to go and able to come up with a pretty decent mark at 108’9”, which was also the state standard placing 10th after being seeded 10th,” said coach Horan. “It was a little overwhelming being there for the first time. She worked really hard to get there, and being a senior and competing against the best of the best is really great.”
Evans finished ranked 10th for DII in discus, following her throws on Friday afternoon.
– CT
• Unadilla Valley’s Julia Oglesby – 100m dash DII
In her inaugural visit to the state meet, Julia Oglesby representing the Unadilla Valley Storm placed among the top 100m female sprinters in New York for small school Division II.
As the best and quickest athletes emerged on the Union-Endicott high school track, Oglesby with the relief of being a Section IV athlete in a Section IV hosted state championship outperformed her originally slated seed position of 14, as she out pushed her opposition to finished 11 out of 20 total competitors, crossing the tape with a time of 13.04 seconds.
Coming into the New York State Championship race, Oglesby hoped to eclipse her own personal record of a 12.78 second race as well as the Unadilla Valley School record in 100m, which currently stands at 12.70 seconds.
Despite not completing that goal, Oglesby set a high mark for herself.
The Unadilla Valley junior, who will be a rising senior within a two week period, completed nothing short of successful. Exceeding the New York State seeding in her event, which placed her three places outside of reaching finals in the DII 100m is incredible.
With seeding as tight as it can possibly be, Oglesby defied the odds. And with .16 seconds separating Oglesby from an 11 place finish to an 8 place finish, displays just how fast her opposition truly was.
More impressively, with temperatures rising into the 80s on Friday June 9, and with all athletes exposed to the elements, the times recorded are even more impressive. The perseverance required to focus on the race instead of the blistering heat and intense sun highlights the competitive drive of the upperclassman UV sprinter.
As her junior year campaign comes to a close on what is the pinnacle of track and field excellence, Oglesby hoped for one thing to come from her state championship experience.
“I hope to inspire people to be humble in your successes and try your hardest because opportunities do come with a steady ambition to be the best athlete you can be,” said Oglesby.
And as she closes the chapter on what was an outstanding junior year, Oglesby prepares for what will happen during the 2017-2018 athletic year, with some unfinished business as she re-visits her journey to the state meet and enshrining herself into UV sports lore as she strives to break the 100m school record that continues to elude her.
– RJ
• Norwich’s Caroline Stewart – long jump and triple jump for DII
Just as quick as the state meet had begun for the Norwich high school junior, it ended.
Competing in not only one, but two events- representing one half of the NHS line-up that competed in multiple events over the two day state championship weekend.
But just as every good competitor knows, everything must come one event at a time. The first event on the schedule for the purple clad athlete, was the long jump in which she blew away her competition qualifying for finals in the event. Facing stark competition from all over the state, the Purple Tornado junior who made her third state meet appearance remained unfazed by the glamour of the medal round.
By the time the dust had settled in the pits, Stewart made the podium- claiming fourth overall in the Division II small school, with her longest jump of the afternoon of 17’04.”
The icing on the cake for Stewart was not only the medal, but recording her personal best in the long jump with the fourth place mark.
The next event on the clipboard for Stewart was in the triple jump.
Once again, Stewart would prevail in the event as she qualified yet again for finals. With a leap of 35’ 07”, Stewart found herself on the podium once again as she placed sixth in the event for Division II small school.
While the jump was not her personal record, the junior completed her goal of medaling in both events.
Two medals, two events, it doesn’t get much better than that. Despite her 2017 outdoor track and field season coming to an end, the motivated junior is already looking ahead to next year.
“I get a season off, and then I start winter track” said Stewart, “I get to train in the long and triple, try to go to states in indoor and then hopefully make it to states for outdoor and make it to federations for long and triple.”
With such lofty goals and challenges such as these, which the junior fully accepts, jumps coach Scottie Decker looks forward towards next year as well.
“Coaching the varsity jumpers is probably the most rewarding experience of my life,” said Norwich jumps Coach Scottie Decker. “This year, Caroline medaled in both long and triple jump. Caroline peaked this weekend with a personal best in long jump and I’m looking forward to start working with her again.”
All and all, the NHS junior hopes to be back to the state meet next year and build upon her continued excellence.
– RJ
• Norwich’s 4x800 girls relay
For the tried and true core four quartet, despite being the 23 seed in the 4x800m relay for both Division I and Division II schools combined, the Purple Tornado relay team was chasing history.
Ironically enough, this record breaking team was chasing themselves as they sought to set a new NHS school record.
Understanding their place in the very competitive field, the NHS squad of Nicole Jeffrey, Katie Gawronski, Meghan Komendarek and Hailey Colabelli recognized the difficult nature of medaling against the premiere teams in New York track and field.
Ultimately, as the once heavy competition from two days’ worth of track and field slowly came to an end, the girl’s from Norwich ran a time of 10:01.96, placing 25 out of the 28 teams out of the combined Division I and Division II results.
Despite not breaking their own school record, the NHS women performed superbly on the big stage. As the NHS harriers reflected on their magnificent record breaking season, it was evident that despite their incredible achievements the fearsome four will miss their shared companionship next season as senior Meghan Komendarek will move onto Mercyhurst University in the fall.
As the teammates who were available for comment each reflected on their season, the common message of teamwork and bonding remained at the core of the four rookies’ state meet experience.
“I’m grateful that we made it this far in the season,” said sophomore Nicole Jeffrey. “Overall, it’s been a fun and memorable season, especially being able to compete at states with my best friends. I couldn’t have asked for better teammates and coaches that allowed us to get here.”
“This season is the best that I’ve ever been included in,” said freshman Katie Gawronski. “I wouldn’t want to share this experience with any other group of girls.”
“I couldn’t have imagined my senior season going any better,” said senior Meghan Komendarek, “Just being able to spend it with these other three girls has been just an amazing opportunity. I couldn’t have had a more picture perfect experience and I owe it all to them and my coaches.”
NHS head track coach Shaun Horan, put this season in perspective as his girls 4x800m team walked off the track for the last time this season.
“Obviously, you look at it as a school record team. Even though we didn’t break the school record today, it’s been a year’s worth of work. It’s been the focus since last year with these four girls,” said coach Horan, “We had a great opportunity to come here. We deserve to be here and it was a phenomenal season by all of them.”
– RJ
Cameron Turner Photo
UNION-ENDICOTT – Hard work, perseverance and putting it all together – the Norwich and Unadilla Valley Track and Field varsity programs enjoyed advancing the best of their student-athletes to this year’s New York State Championship for outdoor Track and Field.
The two day meet, held at Ty Cobb Stadium at Union-Endicott High School this past weekend, June 9 and 10 – featured the best of the best.
The best of the best in NYS high school Track and Field included the likes of Norwich’s Zack Race, his 4x100m relay team (Race, David Berger, Ky’sawn Veale, and Eric Conant), Norwich’s Kara Evans and Caroline Stewart and the Norwich girls 4x800m relay team (Katie Gawronski, Nicole Jeffrey, Hailey Colabelli, and Meghan Komendarek) – as well as Unadilla Valley sprinter, Julia Oglesby.
Race dominated the field, bringing home five medals and securing a podium finish in the Federation finals (Combined finals for DI and DII schools) in the 100m and 200m dashes. Caroline Stewart would compete in two events, besting her seeding to bring home podium finishes in DII for long and triple jump – while the boys 4x100m relay team reset the NHS school record to bring home a podium finish in DII.
Norwich completes a season where both the boys and girls squad smashed multiple school records – en route to both winning the Class B Championship in the same year – an accomplishment that head coach Shaun Horan says hasn’t happened since at least 1993.
Full results for the 2017 New York State Championship for outdoor Track and Field can be found online at http://www.leonetiming.com/2017/Outdoor/States/
• Norwich’s Zack Race – five podium finishes in the 100m, 200m, 4x100m relay
Race, just a junior and having now officially completed his second year of track and field – just might be the most improved state class sprinter in NYS – and that is saying something with regard to a sprinter who made a podium finish at states in their first year of competition.
Race entered the NYS Championship seeded fifth in the 100m dash and third in the 200m dash.
“You’ve got to go back to last year. That was really his (Race’s) first full year of track and I think he was glad to make the state meet last year. Even though he medaled in the 200 (in 2016), he barely made the finals, and that was just for small schools,” said Norwich head coach Shaun Horan. “This year he ran some great races, only missing a PR by .02 in the 100m, and that got him to federation finals. The goal really was to place as high as he possible could in Division II. He was really in contention for that DII state title in the 200. If it was a 210m race it might have been a different story.”
Race put together a stellar performance on the weekend, bringing home five medals for Norwich High School – starting with his very first performance on the track, the 100m dash.
Facing a strong wind, Race busted out a 10.93 in the preliminary round of the event on Friday. This mark – of a sub 11 second race – was met by just three sprinters in DII, Race being the third – all other DII sprinters ran in the 11 second range.
“Last year he came to experience it. But this year, he stepped up in every aspect. He improved in every single spot,” said Norwich sprinting coach Phil Curley. “He brought home five medals, which is really impressive. He tied his personal best 100m at 10.93), into a headwind.”
Heading into the finals of the DII 100m dash, Race was seeded third. Emerging from the group of eight runners, Race was ranked third, running a time of 11.13 – only losing to Jaheim Jones of Lourdes at 10.97 and Kabongo Barry of Spackenkill at 11.04.
Although an 11 second 100m was not the goal, this mark still advanced Race to the Federation finals later on Saturday.
Nigel Green of William Floyd would take home the gold in the event with a 10.80 – earning him an outright state championship. However, Race is now marked as the seventh fastest sprinter in NYS, as he finished seventh in the Federation finals, running a 11.16.
“He went from just trying to bring home one medal last year, and this year he brought home five medals. It is pretty incredible,” said coach Horan. “As much as he has improved, he knows he still has work to do. He is still very focused and trying to improve, and working hard. He hasn’t settled in.”
Race wasn’t done yet, his best event on the track was still to come – the 200m dash.
“States was amazing, clearly the competition is the best of the best so being able to compete with those caliber of guys is truly a blessing. As far as times go, yeah I’m not gonna lie I’m a tad disappointed, but even when I’m not having my greatest of days I still made federation in both my events,” said Race of his performance over the weekend. “Yes that’s something to be proud of, and for now I am, but for me I don’t like to settle in.”
The 200m dash saw Race blow out the competition on Friday in the preliminary round – running a time of 22.05 and winning his qualifying heat.
Advancing to the DII finals, Race was again seeded third behind D’Andre Barriffe of Bishop Loughlin at 21.87 and Jaheim Jones of Lourdes at 22.01.
And that is how the rankings stayed – one, two three – Race would fly to hit a mark in the 21 second range, however, could not overcome Barriffe or Jones as he placed third for DII in the 200m.
Race’s time of 21.85 is no joke, despite not standing atop the podium, as he advanced to the Federation finals as well in this event. Facing NYS best sprinters once again, it was no easy task for the second year Norwich sprinter. Race would finish eighth in Federation which classifies him as the 8th fastest in the entire state for the 200m dash in 2017 – as he ran a time of 22.30.
Five medals, a podium finish in DII 100m and 200m – with a Federation podium finish in both events – while throwing in a DII podium finish in the 4x100m relay. Race had a stellar weekend and season.
“Just means it’s right back to work this upcoming week and begin preparing for next year. I’d like to say thanks again, to my coaches for all the time they’ve taken away from their families in order too come down to the track. They not only help us become better athletes, but overall better people. Lastly, thank you to my family and friends once again for always being there too support me,” said Race.
Race will be traveling down to Greensboro, North Carolina to compete in the Emerging Elite division at the New Balance Nationals competition this coming Saturday.
– CT
• Norwich’s 4x100m relay – second-place in DII
Four stellar student-athletes, all flying around the track dead set on making the best of their state berth in 2017.
David Berger, a freshman, flew out of the blocks on Friday evening in what will go down in history as Norwich’s fastest relay ever ran.
Berger handed to Norwich’s fastest sprinter Zack Race – who was hot off two stellar performances in the 100m and 200m preliminary heats. Race used the backstretch and wind on Friday to propel himself, as the gap grew on the rest of the DII 4x100m competition.
It all seemed to be going as planned. Norwich was chasing – and had a legitimate shot at a DII State Championship in the relay.
Race handed to senior, Ky’sawn Veale, who bolted around the third leg of the race, rounding the corner to extend the baton to the NHS anchor – sophomore Eric Conant.
It was a dead sprint between Conant and UPrep Rochester junior, Fonati Merriam. Conant would fly down the track – staring down a state championship – however, Merriam would find a pocket in the strong headwind, coming out of nowhere to take the crown of the DII relay sprinters.
Norwich’s second-place finish in the finals of the 4x100m relay is unprecedented – and just losing one leg of their relay – Norwich has solidified themselves as a powerhouse for next season.
The squad reset their NHS record, to now rest at 43.48 – only missing the qualifying time to advance to the national competition by .04 of a second. UPrep Rochester would manage a winning time of 43.17.
“The times from first to second, those are the two fastest Division II times in New York State this year. We (Norwich and UPrep Rochester) both just ran out of our minds. Going from the start, David Berger, he had a really really good start. It was phenomenal. Then the passes, the hand offs were just great. I think you just watch everybody and it was just really well done,” said Norwich head coach Shaun Horan. “There are so many variables (in the 4x100m relay). So many things that can go wrong, and we had some problems earlier in the year. We went out of the zone one time, we lost in a dual meet, we bobbled some batons. Then to have everything go well at the state meet. Another school record and its about a second faster than the old school record. It was a great accomplishment. They handled the pressure of the state meet. With the exception of Zack (Race), none of them had been there before.”
Norwich’s relay squad entered the state meet seeded 6th with their school record time of 43.83. They successfully four squads ranked higher than they, with the most notably being Rye County Day – who was ranked number one in NYS for DII with their personal best time of 43.60.
“I think our team performance was pretty good considering we broke our school record again and took second in states,” said Conant. “The competition at states was much faster but I think as a 4x1, we were all ready to take it on. I’m happy with what our 4x1 accomplished, but next year we’ll be back for more, faster and better.”
Race added similar sentiments on the 4x100m relay second-place finish in DII.
“I believe our relay team killed it. We wanted too send Pop (Ky’sawn Veale) out in a big way, obviously getting first was our main objective but I think second-place and running almost a half a second PR is honestly amazing. I’m extremely proud of my boys and I’ve loved working with them. Spending day in, and day out with them is something I will never forget,” said Race.
Norwich will be looking to fill some big shoes come the 2018 outdoor season, as Ky’sawn, the lone senior, will not be a part of the record-breaking squad – instead he will be prepping all summer to play collegiate football.
“We did good, I mean we wanted first, but who doesn’t. States was an amazing experience, especially because that was my last time in a purple jersey. Competition at states was mind blowing, I thought the coolest thing was some kid high jumping 7’0. I would like to thank my parents, coaches and teammates for all the encouragement they gave me throughout year.”
Norwich’s 4x100m relay team finished as the 17th fastest squad in NYS for the 2017 season.
– CT
Norwich’s Kara Evans – takes 10th for DII discus
Senior Kara Evans, successfully kept the streak alive for the Norwich throwers – having now officially had six straight years of an NHS thrower advance to the New York State Championship meet.
Heading into the competition, Evans explained that her hard work and dedication to training with Norwich throwing coach Tom Stoddard, was the key to her success at the state level.
That being said, the competition is the best of the best. Evans headed into the weekend ranked 10th for DII discus, a mark she kept when all was said and done.
It’s unfortunate that it was her first time in the state meet. I think she (Evans) might have been a little nervous. She threw her first two throws out of bounds,” said Norwich head coach Shaun Horan. “She only missed finals by a foot. You throw your first two out of bounds, so you kind of just make your third one safe. So I think she may have backed off it a little.
Despite struggling with the first two throws – faults due to throwing out of bounds – Evans was able to launch a throw of 108’9” on her third attempt to ensure a place in the standings. Had she made finals, settled in, and attacked the discus field it may have been a different story for Evans – who notably, has been marked throwing in the 115’- 118’ range during practice.
If a mark of that caliber were met, Evans would have potentially placed fourth in DII women’s discus for 2017.
“She was able to go and able to come up with a pretty decent mark at 108’9”, which was also the state standard placing 10th after being seeded 10th,” said coach Horan. “It was a little overwhelming being there for the first time. She worked really hard to get there, and being a senior and competing against the best of the best is really great.”
Evans finished ranked 10th for DII in discus, following her throws on Friday afternoon.
– CT
• Unadilla Valley’s Julia Oglesby – 100m dash DII
In her inaugural visit to the state meet, Julia Oglesby representing the Unadilla Valley Storm placed among the top 100m female sprinters in New York for small school Division II.
As the best and quickest athletes emerged on the Union-Endicott high school track, Oglesby with the relief of being a Section IV athlete in a Section IV hosted state championship outperformed her originally slated seed position of 14, as she out pushed her opposition to finished 11 out of 20 total competitors, crossing the tape with a time of 13.04 seconds.
Coming into the New York State Championship race, Oglesby hoped to eclipse her own personal record of a 12.78 second race as well as the Unadilla Valley School record in 100m, which currently stands at 12.70 seconds.
Despite not completing that goal, Oglesby set a high mark for herself.
The Unadilla Valley junior, who will be a rising senior within a two week period, completed nothing short of successful. Exceeding the New York State seeding in her event, which placed her three places outside of reaching finals in the DII 100m is incredible.
With seeding as tight as it can possibly be, Oglesby defied the odds. And with .16 seconds separating Oglesby from an 11 place finish to an 8 place finish, displays just how fast her opposition truly was.
More impressively, with temperatures rising into the 80s on Friday June 9, and with all athletes exposed to the elements, the times recorded are even more impressive. The perseverance required to focus on the race instead of the blistering heat and intense sun highlights the competitive drive of the upperclassman UV sprinter.
As her junior year campaign comes to a close on what is the pinnacle of track and field excellence, Oglesby hoped for one thing to come from her state championship experience.
“I hope to inspire people to be humble in your successes and try your hardest because opportunities do come with a steady ambition to be the best athlete you can be,” said Oglesby.
And as she closes the chapter on what was an outstanding junior year, Oglesby prepares for what will happen during the 2017-2018 athletic year, with some unfinished business as she re-visits her journey to the state meet and enshrining herself into UV sports lore as she strives to break the 100m school record that continues to elude her.
– RJ
• Norwich’s Caroline Stewart – long jump and triple jump for DII
Just as quick as the state meet had begun for the Norwich high school junior, it ended.
Competing in not only one, but two events- representing one half of the NHS line-up that competed in multiple events over the two day state championship weekend.
But just as every good competitor knows, everything must come one event at a time. The first event on the schedule for the purple clad athlete, was the long jump in which she blew away her competition qualifying for finals in the event. Facing stark competition from all over the state, the Purple Tornado junior who made her third state meet appearance remained unfazed by the glamour of the medal round.
By the time the dust had settled in the pits, Stewart made the podium- claiming fourth overall in the Division II small school, with her longest jump of the afternoon of 17’04.”
The icing on the cake for Stewart was not only the medal, but recording her personal best in the long jump with the fourth place mark.
The next event on the clipboard for Stewart was in the triple jump.
Once again, Stewart would prevail in the event as she qualified yet again for finals. With a leap of 35’ 07”, Stewart found herself on the podium once again as she placed sixth in the event for Division II small school.
While the jump was not her personal record, the junior completed her goal of medaling in both events.
Two medals, two events, it doesn’t get much better than that. Despite her 2017 outdoor track and field season coming to an end, the motivated junior is already looking ahead to next year.
“I get a season off, and then I start winter track” said Stewart, “I get to train in the long and triple, try to go to states in indoor and then hopefully make it to states for outdoor and make it to federations for long and triple.”
With such lofty goals and challenges such as these, which the junior fully accepts, jumps coach Scottie Decker looks forward towards next year as well.
“Coaching the varsity jumpers is probably the most rewarding experience of my life,” said Norwich jumps Coach Scottie Decker. “This year, Caroline medaled in both long and triple jump. Caroline peaked this weekend with a personal best in long jump and I’m looking forward to start working with her again.”
All and all, the NHS junior hopes to be back to the state meet next year and build upon her continued excellence.
– RJ
• Norwich’s 4x800 girls relay
For the tried and true core four quartet, despite being the 23 seed in the 4x800m relay for both Division I and Division II schools combined, the Purple Tornado relay team was chasing history.
Ironically enough, this record breaking team was chasing themselves as they sought to set a new NHS school record.
Understanding their place in the very competitive field, the NHS squad of Nicole Jeffrey, Katie Gawronski, Meghan Komendarek and Hailey Colabelli recognized the difficult nature of medaling against the premiere teams in New York track and field.
Ultimately, as the once heavy competition from two days’ worth of track and field slowly came to an end, the girl’s from Norwich ran a time of 10:01.96, placing 25 out of the 28 teams out of the combined Division I and Division II results.
Despite not breaking their own school record, the NHS women performed superbly on the big stage. As the NHS harriers reflected on their magnificent record breaking season, it was evident that despite their incredible achievements the fearsome four will miss their shared companionship next season as senior Meghan Komendarek will move onto Mercyhurst University in the fall.
As the teammates who were available for comment each reflected on their season, the common message of teamwork and bonding remained at the core of the four rookies’ state meet experience.
“I’m grateful that we made it this far in the season,” said sophomore Nicole Jeffrey. “Overall, it’s been a fun and memorable season, especially being able to compete at states with my best friends. I couldn’t have asked for better teammates and coaches that allowed us to get here.”
“This season is the best that I’ve ever been included in,” said freshman Katie Gawronski. “I wouldn’t want to share this experience with any other group of girls.”
“I couldn’t have imagined my senior season going any better,” said senior Meghan Komendarek, “Just being able to spend it with these other three girls has been just an amazing opportunity. I couldn’t have had a more picture perfect experience and I owe it all to them and my coaches.”
NHS head track coach Shaun Horan, put this season in perspective as his girls 4x800m team walked off the track for the last time this season.
“Obviously, you look at it as a school record team. Even though we didn’t break the school record today, it’s been a year’s worth of work. It’s been the focus since last year with these four girls,” said coach Horan, “We had a great opportunity to come here. We deserve to be here and it was a phenomenal season by all of them.”
– RJ
dived wound factual legitimately delightful goodness fit rat some lopsidedly far when.
Slung alongside jeepers hypnotic legitimately some iguana this agreeably triumphant pointedly far
jeepers unscrupulous anteater attentive noiseless put less greyhound prior stiff ferret unbearably cracked oh.
So sparing more goose caribou wailed went conveniently burned the the the and that save that adroit gosh and sparing armadillo grew some overtook that magnificently that
Circuitous gull and messily squirrel on that banally assenting nobly some much rakishly goodness that the darn abject hello left because unaccountably spluttered unlike a aurally since contritely thanks