Relay podiums at state track championships

TOP 6: Our girls 4x800-meter relay battled the state’s best runners - and two separate lightning delays - today at the New York State Track and Field Championships to earn a Class C podium finish!

The day started ahead of schedule but an early afternoon lightning delay pushed things back. 

Once events resumed, our girls team watched the first heat of the relay, then lined up on the track to start their heat before being forced to seek shelter in yet another lightning delay.

After a two-hour wait, the lightning cleared out of the area and the girls once again took the track for their race, albeit amid still rainy conditions. 

A collision during the relay’s first leg forced senior Maria G. to take evasive action, running one step off the track and onto the grass to avoid falling.

The girls held things from there with junior Sophia P. running her fastest time of the season.

Eighth graders Emma G. and Kaelyn M. finished things out for the girls with strong leads to secure a 6th place finish in a time of 9:42.31. 

“We were ecstatic and shocked with the girls’ finish, since they were seeded 7th and we almost left thinking they placed 8th,” said Head Coach Samantha Walker. “Their smiles said it all and we couldn’t be more proud of them for digging deep and going after all of their goals this season with such fearlessness. They crushed it, despite everything working against them today, they stayed strong and showed the state what Avon is all about. Awesome job, girls!”

Photos courtesy of Samantha Walker and Kelly Montague