By Avery Maier ’13, News Editor
The Country Day Varsity Girls Track season came to a close on Friday, June 4th, concluding what Coach Steve Conner called a “stellar year.” “This has been one of the strongest teams we have had in the 20 years I have been here,” said Connor. “Not only the talent and depth, but the dedication and commitment these young ladies made to the team was incredible. I knew we were going to be competitive, but they went above and beyond what I thought they could do.”
Throughout the season, the girls track team earned top spots at the meets they attended. The team won the CCDS, Madeira, Reading and Waynesville Invitationals. With only half of the team in attendance, the squad received second place at the CHCA Invitational. The team also finished fifth at the Ross Invitational, a meet which included 13 Division I teams.
The girls track team won their third straight MVC title, dominating over the second-place finisher, Clark. Country Day strode ahead with 178 points leaving Clark behind with 93. Erika Armstead ‘12 won the 100 meters, the 200 meters and the long jump. Claire Heinichen ’11, Nichole Lowe ’10, Savannah Bryant ’12 and Armstead secured first in the 100 meter relay, and Armstead earned the title of MVP of the meet. The 4 x 800 meter relay consisting of Xanni Brown ’10, Katie Karnes ’13, Alanah Hall ’11, and Corey Tipton ’10, took first. Tipton also won the 800 meters, Alexis Victor ’11 won the high jump, and Ramona Weber ’11, won the 400 meters.
Not only did the team dominate the MVC Championships, but they continued their reign at the District Championship. The team secured their second consecutive win at Districts with 167 points, 83 points more than the second place finisher, Williamsburg. The victory also sealed Country Day’s 20th District title since 1985. Armstead again won the long jump, the 100 and the 200. The 100 meter relay team took first again, and Tipton emerged victorious in the 1600. Additionally, Hall finished first in the 3200, and the 4 x 800 relay team of Elizabeth Blackburn ‘11, Brown, Hall, and Tipton also took first. In addition, many other Country Day athletes qualified for regionals by earning a spot in the top four at districts. Tipton and Blackburn advanced in the 800 meters, Erica Brackett, ’11, in the 100 meter hurdles, Hall in the 1600, Weber in the 400, Heinichen, Lowe, Dorian Bell’12, and Weber in the 4 X 200, as well as Weber, Bell, Avery Maier, ‘13 and Tipton in the 4 X 400, and Sadie Lindner ’12, and Heinichen in the pole vault.
At regionals, Tipton earned fifth place in the 1600 and the 4 x 800 meter relay consisting of Hall, Blackburn, Brown and Tipton finished in seventh place. Armstead qualified for the State Championships, placing second in the long jump.
At the OHSAA state championships on Friday, June 4, Armstead jumped 16 feet, 10 inches, garnering her third in the finals. Although she would have loved to have returned victorious, Armstead is content with the experience. “Competing at State was very fun. I just did what Coach Conner said, which was to just have fun with it… [Attending the meet] was a great experience and I hope I can continue to prosper in my next two years with the CCDS track team.” Armstead’s goal for next year is to win the long jump at the State Championships, but she also wants to “just have fun and enjoy the time while it lasts.”
While the team is losing only three seniors which “will be hard to replace, the team brings back a very strong core,” said Conner. Conner is looking forward to next year and is aiming high. “There are a handful of good runners that will be making the transition from MS, so I feel we are going to be stronger next year.” Conner wants the team to send “14 of 17 events to regionals, to try to place at regionals, and to get more events on to the state championships.”
Photo Courtesy of Ramona Weber ’11
