The Convent of the Sacred Heart track and field team has made momentous strides in its first competitions. The team boarded the bus for its inaugural meet against Choate Rosemary Hall and Northfield Mount Hermon, Saturday, April 5, and then competed in its first relay match against Holy Child, The Hopkins School, Brunswick School and The Masters School Saturday, April 12.
During their first meet April 5, juniors Gabby Giacomo and co-captain Ellie Denson, along with freshman Mackenzie Jordan, faced high winds, chilly air, and tough competition in the 1500 meter event. Mackenzie had the fastest time for the Tigers, finishing in five minutes and 33 seconds. She finished third at the meet and qualified for the New England Preparatory School Athletic Council (NEPSAC) championship tournament.
“The first week has been phenomenal. Everyone on the team has really made huge improvements since the season started and we already have six girls that have qualified for the NEPSAC Championships in May,” Head Coach Mr. Andrew Heath said.
Distance runners also competed in the 800 meter and 3 kilometer races. Sophomore Katie Nail sprinted to victory after finishing the 800 meter run with a time of two minutes and 54 seconds.
Freshman Thea Dowrich finished fourth place in her heat of the 100 meter dash, earning herself a spot in the NEPSAC tournament with a time of 14 seconds.
Junior Grace McKenney, who later raced in the 200 meter event, also qualified for NEPSAC with her time of 29.49 seconds. She finished fourth overall.
Coach Heath nominated the girls with the top eight times in the Choate 100 meter and 200 meter races to compete in relay and hurdle competitions at The Masters School April 12.
“As the season continues I would like to see everyone on the team continue to lower their times and the girls that are on the borderline of qualifying reach those goals,” Coach Heath said.
The first race at the Masters meet was the sprint medley relay, which consisted of two 200 meter races, one 400 meter race, and one 800 meter race. Overall, the racers of this relay came in second place, beating Holy Child, Masters, and Hopkins sprinters.
Freshman Stephanie Comer participated for the first time in the 100 and 300 meter hurdle events, both impressing and surprising her coaches. Sophomore Cynthia Thomas ran her first ever 400 meter dash Saturday, and helped lead her 4×400 relay team to a second place finish.
Likewise, Junior Grace McKenney dazzled her coaches and teammates with her time of 65 seconds for her leg of the 4×400 meter relay race, which also helped her fellow racers achieve a second place finish.
The team will head to another meet at The Taft School April 26, where they will compete in individual races. Coach Heath hopes that the girls will demonstrate that the first year of Sacred Heart track is a success.
“I definitely think the team will continue to shine this season and for years to come. We only have two graduating seniors on this year’s roster so hopefully the majority of the girls will run again next year,” Coach Heath said.
– Sarah Jackmauh, Co-Features Editor
Gail Casey • Apr 16, 2014 at 1:59 pm
Thank you for writing this article Sarah – it was great to have an opportunity to learn about this brand new team. Well done!!!