The Woodstock Academy girls’ track team is strong on the track.
But the field events could use some work and a few more participants.
The Centaurs found that to be their Achilles heel last week when they lost to Fitch in their season-opening meet, 86-57, in Groton.
“We were in control of the meet through all the distance events and actually performed better in the sprints than I assumed we would. Fitch usually has a stronger sprint program, but we have talent where we were able to pick up some first and thirds and get some points. Where we fell behind was in the throws. Fitch was dominant there and took all five places in all the throws,” said Woodstock Academy girls’ track coach Josh Welch.
There were a couple of athletes who put together some first-place finishes against the Falcons.
Welch thought senior Maddie Grube put together a “fantastic” performance in the long jump where she cleared 15-feet-4-inches.
The jump qualified her for the Class M state championship meet.
“It relieves some of the pressure for the rest of the season,” Grube said.
That performance came despite a less than ideal weather day.
“It was very tough. My legs were a little numb but it was good for a first meet. I’m proud of myself and the team did pretty well, too,” Grube said.
Grube easily surpassed her goal of clearing 14-feet in the first meet of the season. She hopes to clear 16-feet by the time the state championship meet.
“It’s going to take some work. I definitely need to get more height on my jumps but we’re practicing each day,” Grube said.
Grube finished third in the 100m hurdles with a 15.4 finish and third in the triple jump.
The distance events, like the boys, were a strength for Woodstock Academy.
Junior Megan Gohn won both the 800m and 3,200m races for the Centaurs while freshman Linsey Arends was first in the 1,600m and, along with Danuse Horka, Carla Simal and Alexia Bourbeau, won the 4 x 800m relay event.
The Centaurs swept the top three spots in the 1,600 with Iris Bazinet and Bourbeau taking second and third.
The same could be said about the 800 where Horka and Bazinet finished second and third.
Marina Monrabal was first in the 100m with Aochen Li third, Li was also third in the 200m.
Aria Giandfriddo was third in the 300m hurdles.
“In this meet, the focus for me was on scoring and to see if we could put up a decent score and be competitive. When we look at a team like (Norwich Free Academy on April 24), they’re so big and there is so much talent there that I’m less worried about a team score and I may move some kids around to focus on an individual event. It’s a great time to qualify (for states). It’s in the middle of the season, against great competition, and I don’t have to have them double or triple to try and get our points up,” Welch said.
The Centaurs will be outnumbered in both the meets against NFA and East Lyme.
“We have a very young team and a smaller team than usual,” Grube said.
Plus, the NFA meet will follow on the heels of spring break which takes place this week at The Academy.
“We will practice some, but it’s going to be tough because a lot of kids are on vacation. We’re working up workout plans for the kids who won’t be here and we’re hoping they stay consistent,” Welch said.
Marc Allard
Sports Information Director
The Woodstock Academy

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