Boardman girls’ track wins season opener

The Boardman girls track team, comprised of 54 team members, opened its season with a win over Cleveland Beaumont by a score of 91-74.

Youngstown Christian School also competed in the meet and scored seven points.

The 4x800 meter relay team began the meet with a win, running 10:14 and was comprised of seniors Emma Schwendeman, Trista Cunningham, Brandi Gatte and junior Regan O’Hara. Senior Katelynn Morrell won the 1600-meter run in a time of 5:42.8 and was second in the 3200-meter run with a time of 12:23.5. O’Hara won the 800 in 2:35.3 and Schwendeman won the 3200-meter run with a time of 12:21. In the 800-meter run, Cunningham placed third, running 2:36 and Gatte was fourth running 2:38. Sophomore Elly Larrier placed fourth in the 1600-meter run with a time of 6:28.3.

In the 100-meter high hurdles, junior Hope Landers placed second, running a career best time of 16.1 and was third in the 300 hurdles running 55.3. Junior Stephanie DeMain was fourth in the 100 hurdles running 18.0 and also placed fourth in the 300-meter hurdles with a time of 56.3. In the 100-meter dash, sophomore Caitlynn Conner placed second, running 14.1, and senior Briana Fonderlin was third in 14.2 and freshmen Jessica Mowery was tied for fourth running 14.3. In the 400-meter dash, senior Jada Redd placed second in 64.4 and junior Alison Green was third running 64.9. Freshmen Logan Mitchell placed third in the 200-meter dash running 29.9.

In the sprint relays, the 4x200 relay of Conner, Mowery, Green and junior Alexis Downie placed second, running 1:58.5. The 4x100 meter relay team of seniors Morgan Hambrick, Nikki Hillard and Fonderlin, along with Landers placed second, running 55.8. The 4x400 meter relay team of Redd, Green, Cunningham and Regan O’Hara placed second, running 4:30.4.

In the field events, junior Ka’nisha White was a double winner, placing first in the shot put with a career best toss of 37 feet and 2 3/4 inches and first in the discus throwing 89 feet 8 inches. Junior Faith Twyman was second in the shot throwing 28 feet 6 inches. Hambrick took first place honors in the high jump with a height of 4 feet 10 inches. Mitchell was second, senior Kelly Tomcsanyi was third and Fonderlin was fourth, all with heights of 4 feet 6 inches. In the pole vault, junior Brittany Chamberlain was first with a height of 8 feet. Junior Brooke Harsh took second at 7 feet and sophomore Cassie Harsh took third with a height of 6 feet 6 inches. In the long jump, Hillard took third with a jump of 13 feet and 8 1/2 inches.

Head coach Denise Gorski, starting her 32nd year as head coach and 36th year in the program overall, was impressed with the opening meet performances.

“I was extremely pleased with the girls’ sportsmanship to the other teams. The Beaumont coach even talked to our girls afterward to tell them how impressed he was with the sportsmanship and guidance they gave to his team. We open our Federal League competition against Canton McKinley. We have to be at our best to open the season with a win, but I am confident this group will be very competitive in every league meet.”