News
Track team successful despite smaller roster
Posted June 13, 2012
The Columbus School for Girls track and field team was smaller than usual this season, with 19 athletes on the roster by the start of the Division II postseason meets.
What the Unicorns lacked in numbers they made up for in skill, as they finished second in the CCL meet, won a district title and reached the state awards podium in three events.
"I'm not sure that I could have asked for a better season with the girls that we had," coach Lori Baldwin said. "When you look at a lot of other Division II teams, the8y had 30 or 40 kids to pick from, but our girls worked hard for everything they have and we were able to beat a lot of those teams. Our motto was, 'Who wants it more?' and our girls bought into it and got the best out of themselves."
The Unicorns scored 104.5 points to finish second in the CCL meet May 10 and 12 at home behind Hartley (162) and ahead of DeSales (102), Ready (64.5) and Watterson (57).
CSG scored 129 points to win the Division II, district 2 meet that concluded May 19 at Westerville South ahead of runner-up Eastmoor Academy (78) as 13 teams scored.
Winning titles for the Unicorns were sophomore Emma Harris, senior Rosie Connor, junior Abigail Perrini and senior Sophie Chatas in the 3,200-meter relay (9 minutes, 54.95 seconds), sophomore Cecilia Pesavento in the 100 hurdles (16.21) and 300 hurdles (47.46), Chatas in the 1,600 (5:12.46) and 800 (2:22.45) and freshman Rebecca O'Donovan, Harris, Connor and Chatas in the 1,600 relay (4:10.6).
Finishing second were sophomore Ashley Harrington in the long jump (15 feet, 2 1/2 inches) and 100 hurdles (16.26) and Harris in the 400 (59.17).
Placing third were Harris in the 800 (2:25.68), senior JaMilla Holland, senior Taylor McIntrye, sophomore Mo Ruff and O'Donovan in the 400 relay (50.89), freshman Erika Sims in the long jump (14-9 1/2) and junior Jordon Nielsen in the shot put (34-10 1/2).
Finishing fourth were Connor in the 400 (1:01.86) and Nielsen in the discus (104-1). The top four finishers in each event advanced to the regional meet May 24 and 26 at Welcome Stadium in Dayton.
"Having the girls come together at the district meet and having so many qualify for regional was a big highlight," Baldwin said. "Our shocker of the year was having Cecilia improve so much in the hurdles that she won both of them at district."
CSG scored 36 points to place fifth at regional behind champion Dayton Chaminade Julienne (64) as 44 teams scored.
Harris won the 800 (2:18.94) and Pesavento finished fourth in the 100 hurdles (15.79). Finishing second were Chatas in the 1,600 (5:10.17) and Harris, Connor, Perrini and Chatas in the 3,200 relay (9:41.26). The top four finishers in each event advanced to the state meet June 1 and 2 at Ohio State.
The Unicorns then scored 10 points to tie four teams for 18th at state behind champion Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary (55) as 72 teams scored.
Chatas finished fourth in the 1,600 (team-record 5:06.25), Harris finished sixth in the 800 (2:17.38) and Harris, Connor, Perrini and Chatas placed seventh in the 3,200 (9:47.03) to reach the awards podium.
Pesavento finished 15th in the 100 hurdles (16.24).
"We peaked at the right time and had an amazing end to our season," Baldwin said. "Our seniors did a fantastic job and we'll definitely miss all of them. But I know that some of our younger girls like Emma Harris will carry on the leadership that the seniors passed on to her and will do well next season."
