Bennett speeds up preparations

The Ursuline High sprinter seeks gold at the state level.
By JOE SCALZO
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
YOUNGSTOWN -- There was only one drawback to Cierra Bennett taking a week off between basketball and track season.
She liked it.
"My coach always wants us to take at least a week off," the Ursuline High junior said. "I don't think we should do it. By the end of the week, I don't want to go to practice."
But there's one thing Bennett likes even less than practice: losing. After finishing second in the 400 meters at last year's state meet, she walked off the track looking like someone who just finished tied for 40th.
This year, she wants to win it all.
"Definitely," she said. "Districts and regionals are coming up and I need to push myself a little harder."
Bennett, who won the 200 and 400 at Thursday's Steel Valley Conference meet, will run in Division III this season after being in Div. II the past two years. Problem is, last year's winning time in the 400 was actually faster in Div. III.
"I think I'm a little behind," said Bennett, a starter on Ursuline's state championship girls basketball team. "In our meets, I haven't been pushing myself like I should. But I'm going to practice more and start working a little more on my own. I'll be there."
Warren JFK's Angeline Cicero won the 300 hurdles, finished second in the 100 hurdles and anchored the winning 4x400 relay as the Eagles edged Warren Harding for the girls team title in their first year in the SVC. JFK also won the Trumbull County girls title.
Warren Harding's Alex Tatabe was the top girls performer, winning the 100 and the high jump while helping the Raiders win two sprint relays.
Boys
Ursuline's Derrick Stewart won both hurdles events and anchored the winning 4x400 relay as Ursuline won its first SVC boys title since 1974. Boardman or Fitch won every boys SVC title from 1975-2003.
Stewart, who placed third in the 300 hurdles at last year's state meet, used Thursday's meet as a tuneup for next week's district meet.
"I'm trying to go gold at state," he said.
That's not his only goal.
"We have a pretty good boys team and our big goal this year is to win a district [team] title," he said. "And having been to state last year, I know what to expect. I know what you've gotta do to get there.
"I want some people to come with me."
Stewart also wants to break Adam Chatman's school record in the 300 hurdles. Chatman won a state title in the event two years ago.
Thaddeus Walker, who missed last week's Trumbull County meet, helped Warren Harding place second. Mooney took third. Neither team has won an SVC boys track title, and Thursday's meet didn't seem the same without Fitch or Boardman.
"I'm kind of upset about that," Bennett said. "They brought a lot of competition. I don't like that they're not in it anymore."
scalzo@vindy.com