Poland girls win last MAC crown

By Eric Hamilton | May 17, 2008 at 12:00a.m.

The Bulldogs trailed for most of the meet before rallying over the last four events.

SALEM — MAC champions forever.

What started out as a joke became reality for the Poland High girls track team Friday night at the 14th and final Metro Athletic Conference track meet at Reilly Stadium.

The Bulldogs rallied from 22 points down in the final four events to beat rival Canfield and successfully defend its league title and secure a spot in history as the last team to win the MAC championship.

“What better way to go out than as the MAC champs in the final year of the league,” said Poland girls’ coach Gabby Moore. “The girls really had their focus today and understood the importance of this meet. I couldn’t be more proud of everyone. They all really stepped up and had a lot of PRs today.

“We knew what Canfield’s No. 1 runners would do, but their No. 2 runners really competed well. They had us down there for a while, but our girls battled back and showed that this was about the team today and not the individual.”

Poland trailed for most of the meet, but surged in the final four events. The key stretch was the 800 and 3200 races, where the Bulldogs outscored Canfield 23-0.

Junior Samantha Robertson won the 800 and teammate Katie Fisher finished fourth to give Poland 14 points. In the 3200, freshman Megan Sweeney took second and Vivien Clayton finished sixth — combining for nine points.

Those efforts put Poland ahead 128.5 to 124 heading into the final race — the 4x400 relay. For good measure, the quartet of Kelly Storkel, Robertson, Abbey Benson and Rebecca Hanna won the race to clinch the team title with 138.5 points to Canfield’s 132.

“We knew it would be tough, but we just had to have everyone make their best showing and that’s what we did,” said Storkel, who was on the winning 4x400 and 4x200 relays and took third in the 400. “This was the last year of the MAC and we wanted to keep the title at Poland.

“This was only my second year in track, but it’s been incredible to be part of two league titles. Everyone today really worked hard for the team and not themselves.”

Other major contributors for Poland’s title were Alicia Taylor, who finished second in the 100 and 200; Missy Haug (second, 300 hurdles, fourth, 100 hurdles), Allison Rice (second, discus, fourth, shot put); Lauren Handwork (third, discus); and Amanda Cox (first, shot put).

The Canfield boys ended Salem’s three-year team championship run, using great balance and depth to win its first MAC title since 1995. The Cardinals (180) won handily, outdistancing runner-up Howland (93.25).

First-year coach Mark Carben admitted that the fact that this was the final year for the MAC meet served as motivation and was something he pointed to before the season even began.

“Back in March, that was the first thing we talked about,” he said. “It is nice to win it and these kids really stepped up and performed well today. We really showed our depth today.

“Our second runners in events scored some big points and they added up for us. We have a lot of young kids — freshman and sophomores — that scored big points. We’re a young team with a few seniors and everyone did their jobs.”

Senior George Vassilaros was the catalyst for the Cardinals, scoring 19 points. He won the 100 and took second in the 200. He was also a member of Canfield’s victorious 4x100 and 4x200 relay squads.

When his day was done, he was fatigued, but energized by his team’s team title.

“I don’t feel as bad as you’d think after running six races today [including prelims],” he said. “With a smaller meet like this things go faster and your recovery time is less, but it’s OK.

“We had an undefeated regular season, so it’s nice to come here and win the last MAC meet. We have a lot of talent on our team and the sprinters get the glory, but we have a lot of good people in the throws and jumps, too.”

Jordan Ricks won the 300 hurdles and took second in the 110 hurdles. Walt Wollet won the 200, the Cards won three of the four relays, Ryan Mirton finished second in the 1600 and Canfield scored two runners in the 400, 300 hurdles, 800, shot put and the long jump.