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Girls Track

by Matt Cosentino

BISHOP EUSTACE CRUSADERS
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Junior Sarah Jones had a terrific outdoor season last spring and has high hopes entering the 2016 campaign. She took third at states in the 100 hurdles and fourth in the long jump, and won both events in the small-school division at the Camden County Championships. A versatile athlete, Jones also competes in the 200 and 400 hurdles. Senior Michelle Carrie is another multi-talented returner who qualified for states in the 100 after placing fourth at sectionals. She also runs the 200 and 100 hurdles and competes in the long jump. Senior Kristen Skrajewski runs the 100 and throws the javelin, and seniors Caitlin Reyes and Lauren Steeves are returning middle distance runners. Oreoluwa James is a promising sophomore and contributing juniors are Katarina Ruchilicke and Christine Adams.

OUTLOOK: The Crusaders have a lot of talent back from a team that took eighth at sectionals, including a state title hopeful in Jones.

CAMDEN CATHOLIC FIGHTING IRISH
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Camden Catholic is paced by a pair of excellent senior sprinters in Zarria Williams and Moriah Hall. Williams placed fourth in the 100 and sixth in the 200 at the Non-Public A state championships and ran both races at the Meet of Champions [MOC]. She was also the Camden County small-school champion in the 200 and finished in the top five in both events at the Olympic Conference Championships. Hall also qualified for the MOC in the 100 after taking sixth at states and fifth at sectionals, and is a strong competitor in the 200 as well. Other promising returners include sophomores Kadijah Nurudeen (sprints) and Shannon McHugh (middle distance).

OUTLOOK: The Irish might not have the depth of other area teams, but they shine in certain events, notably the sprints.

CHEROKEE CHIEFS
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Cherokee brings backs one of the premier javelin throwers in the state in senior Kaela Schrier, who will look to qualify for the Meet of Champions for the third year in a row. As a junior, Schrier was the Olympic Conference and sectional champion in the event, took fourth at states and 10th at the MOC. She also throws the discus and shot put and is on track for a sensational end to her career. Sophomore Morgan Clark also returns after an impressive rookie season in which she placed eighth in the 400 at sectionals. She also took fifth in the conference in the 400 and fifth in Burlington County in the 100. Senior Jess McAdams is another key runner who placed fifth in the conference in the 800 and fifth in the county in the 1600. Senior Lua Fernandez and juniors Sierra Keller and Joelle Walsh specialize in the sprints and jumps, and returning distance runners include senior Hailey Bookwalter and junior Breanna Gleason. Other contributors are seniors Izzi Moraschi, Micaela Sims, Liza Siermine and Amanda Hyde and sophomore Rachel Kodluk. Sophomore Meghan Waninger will also contribute after her strong rookie indoor season, in which she was the Chiefs’ top sprinter.

OUTLOOK: The Chiefs are capable of moving up a few spots from their 12th-place showing at sectionals and eighth-place finish in the county, and Schrier will certainly be in the mix for an individual state title.

CHERRY HILL EAST COUGARS
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Senior Jessica Bryant has been one of the top long jumpers in the area the last two seasons and this spring should be no different as she seeks her third straight trip to states. Last year she placed sixth at sectionals, seventh at states and 15th at the Meet of Champions. She also had top-five finishes in the long jump and triple jump at both the Olympic Conference and Camden County meets. Junior Taegan Field is a distance runner to keep an eye on as she notched a top-five finish at the county meet in the 3200. Sophomore Analisa Groble leads the throwers after qualifying for states in the javelin and taking fourth in the event at the county and conference meets, while sophomore Alana Cohen is a pole vaulter who placed second in the county in a strong rookie season. Other returners are seniors Jessica Smith, Sydney Sheppard, Rachel Smith and Grace Garemore; juniors Jamie Goodwin, Olivia Gross, Alexa Happ, Julie Woods and Chelsea James; and sophomores Star Beasley, Julia Szpunar, Alicia Lopez, Julita Krzton and Eva Grika.

OUTLOOK: The Cougars had a strong performance at the county meet to place third in the large-school division. This should be another successful season with Bryant leading the way.

CHERRY HILL WEST LIONS
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Cherry Hill West has a veteran group of returners on the track, including sprinter Niara Wilcox, distance runner Gabrielle Rash and hurdlers Hannah Johnston and Delaney McQuade, all seniors. Sophomores Trinity Huff and Jada Norton and junior Alonja Williams are promising returners in the sprints, and distance runners include junior Nina Calzaretto and sophomores Safeyyah Aly, Keller Bean, Cassaundra Hoch and Sally Johnston. Sophomores Emily Santana and Cassidy Hoch are also back on the track and junior Aadit Tamhanker is a returning thrower.

OUTLOOK: The Lions have a good mix of seniors and up-and-comers and will look to continue improving as the season goes on.

CLEARVIEW PIONEERS
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Clearview again boasts a deep and talented pack of distance runners that includes standouts Kaitlin Donohue and Emily Schaeffer. Donohue, a junior, qualified for states in the 3200 after taking fifth at sectionals. She also placed second in the event at the Gloucester County Championships and fourth in the 1600 at the Tri-County Conference Championships. Schaeffer, a senior, also went to states in the 3200 thanks to an eighth-place finish at sectionals. She placed second in the conference and third in the county in the 1600 and also took fifth in the county in the 3200. Senior Megan Jones, who placed second in the conference in the 3200, and sophomore Rachel Doring are other important distance runners. Senior Ava Fritz took fourth in the conference and fifth in the county in the 800 and senior Taylor Montgomery had strong showings in the 200 and 100 hurdles at the Tri-County meet. Senior Molly Worek (high jump, 400) and junior Dyani Bigelow (triple jump, 400) also have the potential for big seasons. Other returners are seniors Madison Cydis, Aysia Marshall, Kayla Covolesky and Gabrielle Moskalow; juniors Mikayla Perez and Jacklyn Guht; and sophomores Sophie Fossett and Madalene Henry.

OUTLOOK: The Pioneers were a top-five team in the county last year and should stay there.

EASTERN VIKINGS
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Although Eastern graduated several of its top athletes, a new crop is ready to emerge. That includes junior high jumper Tamika Voltaire, who took third in the Olympic Conference with a leap of 5-2. She also took third in the large-school division at the Camden County meet and ninth at sectionals, just missing a trip to states. Junior Jen Civatte is another key returner who placed fourth in the county and seventh in the conference in the 800. Senior Gabrielle Jackson contributes in the sprints and jumps, sophomore My'yonna Boyd is an up-and-coming sprinter and juniors Taylor Bostic and Alexis Ruffin shine in the hurdles. Junior Amanda Ashmen leads a group of throwers that also includes seniors Caroline Friedman and Kristina Castagnola and junior Darah Backal. Other returners are juniors Nicole Meskin, Irene Nam and Julie Kim, and promising newcomers include junior Brooke Stafford, sophomores Shakira Dancy and Danielle Jackson and freshmen Jade Kenney and Deriyah Corbett-Collier.

OUTLOOK: The Vikings have a solid core and it wouldn't be surprising to see them improve upon last year's 16th-place finish at sectionals.

GLOUCESTER CATHOLIC RAMS
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Gloucester Catholic graduated state qualifiers Abby Chrzanowski and Maura Bobrek, but there are several returning athletes with potential. That group includes sophomore Meghan McGonigle, who placed third in the high jump and fifth in the 100 hurdles in the small-school division at the Camden County Championships. Senior Francesca Pollander took sixth in the discus and seventh in the shot put at the county meet and junior Samantha Hiester is another strong thrower. Junior Cassie Hickman is another talented athlete who focuses on the distance races. Other returners hoping to contribute are senior Jess Fronkowiak and sophomores Amy Gartland, Taylor Caldas, Emma Holian and Lauren Rossi.

OUTLOOK: The Rams have a solid core in place and should be competitive at the major meets. >

HADDONFIELD BULLDAWGS
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Briana Gess already has so many accomplishments under her belt as she enters her junior outdoor season, and the list is sure to grow. Last spring she claimed state titles in the 800, 1600 and 3200 and repeated as the Meet of Champions winner in the 1600. She also shines in the 400 and will once again be one of the premier runners in the state. Gess is joined by another junior standout in Kaitlyn Bonnet, who took fifth in the 800 at states and also qualified in the 1600. Bonnet was part of the state championship 4x800 relay as well, which also included returners Casey Clarke and Lilly Minor, both sophomores. Juniors Alexa Gostovich, Meg Schroeter and Anna Haley are also talented distance runners. Sophomore Lizzie Mulvenna is coming off a promising rookie outdoor season in which she placed sixth at sectionals in the 400 hurdles to qualify for states, and senior sprinter Ana Buzzerd is another key returner on the track. Junior high jumper Bridget Kane took seventh at sectionals and second at the Camden County meet, senior Madi Klaus added an eighth-place effort in the event at sectionals and sophomore Julia Parker will be a strong contributor in the pole vault. Other returners include senior Mary Sabia, juniors Chyanne Holloway and Meghan Helf and sophomores Cassidy Cao, Bella Nugent and Gianna Cucinotta.

OUTLOOK: Haddonfield won its second state crown in three years and fifth straight sectional title in 2014. The Bulldawgs have an excellent chance of adding more hardware to their trophy case this spring.

KINGSWAY DRAGONS
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Kingsway is led by two standout juniors in thrower Emily Hilt and distance runner Rachel Vick. Hilt has enjoyed success in all three throwing events, particularly the discus, as she was the sectional champion in the event last spring, took third at states and 11th at the Meet of Champions. She also captured discus titles at the Tri-County Conference and Gloucester County meets. Hilt qualified for states in the javelin and shot put as well, thanks to top-five finishes in both at sectionals. Vick qualified for states in the 800, 1600 and 3200, was a double winner at the county meet in the 800 and 1600 and added an individual title in the 3200 at the conference meet. Sophomore Jasmin Jones was the county champion in the triple jump, took sixth at sectionals and competed at states, and Najiyah Palmer is also looking to follow up a strong rookie season as she contributes in the sprints and long jump. Junior Erin Gray is a terrific pole vaulter who took first in the conference, second at sectionals and 12th at states. Other key returners are junior distance runners McKenzie Nugent and Destiny Stanford and junior hurdlers Victoria Mbakwe and Haley Rivell. Other contributors include seniors Emily Danilak, Kerry Gray and Alexia Menasion; juniors Jessica Lail, Marissa Heino, Erykah Webster and Caprice James; and sophomores Alexis Mullarkey and Emma Esteves

OUTLOOK: The Dragons were Gloucester County champions and placed second at sectionals last spring. They have the talent to be a factor at the major meets again this year.

LENAPE INDIANS
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Jasmine Staten’s sophomore outdoor season was one for the ages and it will be exciting to see what she can accomplish as a junior. Last spring she was the South Jersey Group IV champion in the 100 hurdles, 200 and long jump and took second in the 400. She went on to place in the top five at states in the 200, 400 and long jump. Staten was also part of the state championship 4x400 relay, and earlier in the season she claimed four individual titles at the Burlington County Championships and one at the Olympic Conference Championships. Megan Quimby is another outstanding junior who took fifth in the 800 at the Meet of Champions following fourth-place finishes at sectionals and states. She was also the conference champ in the event and the county champ in the 3200. Senior Shannon Storms joined Staten on the winning relay team at states and is also one of the top pole vaulters in the area. She won the event at sectionals, took sixth at states and competed in the Meet of Champions. Sophomore Cassie Hoxit is also a talented pole vaulter who claimed titles in the conference and county and placed third at sectionals. The throwers include seniors Maddie Sasse and Erika Johnson and junior Jasmine Fuller, and key returners on the track are juniors Cian Williams, Ciaron Williams and Shannon Lambert and sophomore Meghan Vizzard. Senior Gabby Sharp contributes in the jumps and pole vault.

OUTLOOK: Last year was a memorable one for the Indians, who captured the first state championship in school history and also took home titles at sectionals and the county meet. Despite some key losses to graduation, the good times should keep on rolling this spring.

MOORESTOWN QUAKERS
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Moorestown has a solid returning core that includes state qualifiers Kaitlin Winiarski and Anjali Patel. Winiarski, a junior, took seventh at sectionals in the 100 hurdles and fourth in the event at the Burlington County Championships. Patel, a senior, specializes in the pole vault and placed sixth at sectionals. Juniors Amanda Wichterman and Tara Thornton are solid distance runners who finished sixth and seventh, respectively, at the county meet. Senior Jessica Fan and junior Dana Seamon contribute in the hurdles and sprints, juniors Mila Defelicis and Ali Simeone are returning high jumpers and the throwers include seniors Anna Blatcher, Kaitlyn Maine and Irem Yilmaz. Other returners are seniors Gina Palovick and Madeline Farmer; juniors Jamie Wun, Sarah Gally, Nailah Jackson and Tamlin Unruh; and sophomore Cassandra Lis.

OUTLOOK: The Quakers are capable of improving on their 17th-place performance at sectionals and 13th-place showing in the county and could send several athletes to states again.

PAUL VI EAGLES
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Paul VI brings back an elite thrower in senior Bernadette McGowan, who placed second in the javelin and third in the shot put at states to qualify for the Meet of Champions in both events. She also starred in the Olympic Conference and Camden County meets and enters her final season with state title aspirations. Four other Eagles qualified for states on the track: juniors Aliyah Stephens and Jariah McFadden in the 400 hurdles, junior Natalie Burns in the 400 and senior Michaela Urbach in the 800. Senior Madeline McDonnell joins McGowan in a standout group of throwers that also includes seniors Ana Lamberto and Virginia Foley and juniors Emily Broderick, Celine Assi and Anna Marie Carrozzo. Other returners expected to contribute are seniors Anastasia Ketchek, Gabrielle Scaramuzzo and Molly Gallagher; juniors Fiona Hughes, Julia Esposito, Ashley Randel, Morgan Cieslik, Ann Foley and Haley Karcher; and sophomores Gabriella Babore, Erin Siciliano and Jacklyn Schultz.

OUTLOOK: The Eagles had solid showings at sectionals (sixth place) and the county meet (seventh) and have several athletes who should excel at the big meets this spring.

SENECA GOLDEN EAGLES
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Junior Kayla Martin had a breakout sophomore season and will be one of the leaders this year for Seneca. She took third in the 800 at states after a second-place finish at sectionals, and was the Burlington County champion in the event as well. She also runs the 400 and qualified for states with a third-place effort at sectionals. Martin is joined by another standout runner in senior Joey Webb, who placed sixth in both the 800 and 1600 at sectionals to qualify for states. Pole vaulters Rebecca Bohi, a senior, and Brittney Raffo, a junior, both advanced to states after placing fourth and seventh, respectively, at sectionals. Raffo also qualified for states in the triple jump and took second in the event in the county. Junior Elizabeth Hagmayer qualified for states in the javelin, and junior Katelyn Dever contributes in all three throwing events. Returning hurdlers are senior Danielle Packard, junior Alexia Fotiou and sophomore Samantha Derkas, while senior Kayla Johnson and sophomore Julianna Kaiser are back in the sprints. Other returners are junior Rachel Goldman and sophomores Grayce Heinemann, Kayla Hay and Susann Foley.

OUTLOOK: The Golden Eagles’ strong 2015 season included a second-place finish in the county and a ninth-place performance at sectionals. Expect another successful campaign this spring.

SHAWNEE RENEGADES
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Junior Kara Bonner is one of the top distance runners in the area and is back to spark Shawnee. Last year she qualified for states in the 800 with a sixth-place finish at sectionals. She also took second in the event at the Burlington County Championships and second in the 1600 at the Olympic Conference meet. Senior leaders include sprinter Molly Johnson and Allison Jones, high jumper Allison Esplund and Brooke Schillinger, who competes in the hurdles and triple jump. Other returners are junior Tara DeSpirito and sophomores Laura Mavracic, Paige Neher, Georgia Larzeler, Clarie Rankin and Alex Rosania. Freshmen Grace Kearns and Alyssa Curilla are newcomers to watch.

OUTLOOK: The Renegades finished seventh in the county and 11th at sectionals and hope to remain competitive this year.

WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP MINUTEMAIDS
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Washington Township had several top finishers at the Gloucester County meet, including senior Rachel Hamer. She took second in the county in the triple jump and sixth at the Olympic Conference meet and should have a solid final season. Junior Rachel Green placed third in the county in the shot put and ninth at sectionals, just missing a trip to states. Sophomore Rebekah Leone is a promising runner who was fifth in the county in the 1600 and 10th in the 800 at sectionals. Senior Emilee Schipske (400, 800, hurdles) are other key returners. Also looking to contribute are seniors Tatianna Davis and Brittany Cottrell; juniors De’Yanna Holmes, Zaria Rios, Andrea DiGiulio, Megan Kenderdine, Olivia Smithson, Amanda McCahill, Michelle Salamon and Molly Comerford; and sophomores Alyssa Eshelman, Katherine Taylor and Julia Reilley. Freshman Jordyn Price and sophomore Jaylyn Davis are key additions.

OUTLOOK: The Minutemaids have a solid nudeus and hope to improve on last year’s seventh-place finish at the county meet.

Published (and copyrighted) in Suburban Family Magazine, Volume 6, Issue 11 (January, 2016).
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