The Fenwick and Trinity varsity girls’ track and field teams are ready for the outdoor season following solid showings indoors.
In the Girls Catholic Athletic Conference meet, March 21, Fenwick placed seventh with 31 points. Maeve Bonakdar won the shot put with a distance of 10.90 meters (35 feet, 9.25 inches). Mia Menendez was fifth in the 800 meters (2:21.70), followed by Mia Bagato in sixth (2:22.85).
Juliana Gamboa was sixth in the 3200 (11:33.72) and Bridget Brunick 10th (12:14.28). The 4 x 400 relay of Bagato, Brunick, Gamboa, and Menendez placed fourth (4:22.90).
“Our strength has been having a core group of young ladies who were committed to the indoor season,” said Fenwick second-year coach Latoya Zubowicz-Hill. “We look forward to watching that group lead during the outdoor season and see success from their indoor dedication.”
Fenwick has five returning Class 2A state qualifiers: sophomores Bagato, Bonakdar, and Gamboa, and seniors Menendez and Kim Robles. Menendez qualified for the 800 and gained All-State honors with a sixth-place finish (2:16.18). Gamboa and Menendez ran on the Friars’ qualifying 4 x 800 relay with Robles being an alternate. Bonakdar finished 24th in the shot put (9.67 m), while Bagato, Gamboa, and Menendez comprised three-fourths of Fenwick’s 4 x 400 relay.
Other Friars returning from last year’s sectional lineup are sophomores Daija Barnes and Teresa Urso along with senior Olivia Cameron in sprints and senior Emma Guira in the discus. Freshmen Brunick (distance and relays) and Molly Madden (discus and shot put) are the team’s top newcomers.
“We have several members who experienced success last year and they understand what’s needed to get to state,” Zubowicz-Hill said.
While not identifying specific goals for the season, Zubowicz-Hill says there is a general goal of continuing to build the culture of the program. To aid in this endeavor, she’s beefed up her coaching staff.
“We celebrate our micro-wins and practice with the intensity we want to exude in competition,” Zubowicz-Hill said. “We want to be well-balanced and have young ladies who are committed to relays as well as individual events. This is what will help the team overall.”
Trinity
Trinity placed 12th at the GCAC indoor meet with nine points. But the Blazers believe there were a few positive results that provide cause for optimism this spring.
“We always walk away from these meets with the little wins that sometimes go unnoticed with such a competitive field,” said Trinity first-year coach Erin Nelson. “I find that the girls use the indoor season to break off the rust and really step into their stride when the outdoor meets start, so I am very excited for the next few months.”
Senior Zoe Solberg placed fourth in the 200-meter dash with a time of 27.78 seconds. Freshman Karis Young, who Nelson identified as a top newcomer, finished seventh in the 60-meter hurdles in 13.22.
Sophomore Charlotte Houlihan, a returning state qualifier in the discus, showed her versatility by placing seventh in the high jump (1.37 meters). And senior Jade Morelli finished ninth in the 1600, running a personal best time of 5:54.10.
Junior Molly McGreal is a two-time state qualifier. She was part of Trinity’s 4 x 800 relay team two years ago, then qualified for the 3200 last year, finishing 18th. Juniors Aaliyah Porter and Gioy Smart took part in last year’s sectional. Porter will run the 200 this year, while Smart competes in the 100 and 300 hurdles events.
“We have a lot of new energy on the team,” Nelson said. “They want to work together to get faster and I couldn’t be more excited to see the teamwork they’ve displayed this indoor season.”
Nelson’s goals for Trinity are simple: she wants the girls to enjoy themselves and have fun this season.
“I ask all the athletes to write goals for themselves ranging from meeting a new teammate to breaking their PR times,” she said. “As long as the girls achieve their goals, I believe we’re a better team for it.”