posted May 17, 2008
The Notre Dame track team is having their best team success in school history. After winning the school’s first ever boys’ Region (Sub-sectional) championship and first ever runner-up finish by the girls, they continued their roll in this week’s Sectional Track Meet at Anderson County.
Out of about 40 schools represented, the Notre Dame girls’ team finished 6th and the boys’ team finished 8th.
“The thing that excites me the most about our success is that none of our post-season runners and field event athletes are seniors,” said head coach Howie Sompayrac.
The girls were led by the incredible performance of Alex Mullin. Alex, was selected the MVP of the distance events as she shattered two individual meet records in the 3200M run (11:24.62) and the 800M run (2:19.51). She broke the 3200M mark by over 13 seconds and the 800M record by over 4 seconds. She also helped break the meet record in the 4 X 800 Relay. The other members of this record breaking relay team were Fiona Battersby, Carey Leiper and Kaitlin Robinson. Fiona Battersby and Carey Leiper also did well in the open 800 Meters, placing 5th and 8th respectively.
“I am so proud of all four of these girls,” said distance coach George Battersby. “I knew they had a chance to break 10 minutes, but I was surprised that they ran it in 9:47.” This time shattered the previous Sectional record by over 14 seconds.
Kris Cambron also ran well for the Lady Irish as she placed 5th in the 300 Meter Hurdles and 7th in the 100 Hurdles. Bailey Kinsman placed a respectable 8th in the pole vault with a vault of 6’6”. The 4 X 400 Relay team rounded out the scoring for the Lady Irish as they finished in the top 10. The runners on this team were Michelle Spangler, Fiona Battersby, Kelli Walker and Kaitlyn Rado.
Josh Evers continues to star for the boys team as he placed in the top 7 in two events. “Josh was a big surprise for our track team this year,” said Sompayrac. “His work ethic and quiet leadership had a big impact on our team, not to mention his improvement and success throughout the year.” Evers won his heat in the 100 Meter Dash and finished an impressive 5th overall. He also anchored the 4 X 200 Relay team that improved their best time by over 3 seconds. This team qualified 12th for the Sectionals, but finished an impressive 7th in the meet. The other sprinters on this relay were Derrick Eubanks, Devin Bowman and Nick Zinnanti.
“I am really proud of our boys’ sprinters,” said Coach Sompayrac. “At the beginning of the year, it didn’t appear that we would be very good, but they worked hard and continued to improve. And like the girls team, they are very young (all are freshman and sophomores).”
Andrew Snider, had an impressive run in the open 800 Meter race, as he placed 3rd in a very competitive field. Devin Bowman continued to improve in the 110 Hurdles, as he finished 3rd, and Luke Duffy and Nick Zinnanti continue to fly high as they finished fourth and fifth in the pole vault. Eric Phipps finished in the top ten in shot put with a throw of over 41 feet.
The boys 4 X 800 Relay also did well, placing fourth overall. Members of this team were Snider, Alexander Blanton, Ethan McCurdy and Christian Beairsto. The 4 X 400 Relay team finished 7th. This race was run by Derrick Eubanks, Christian Beairsto, Ethan McCurdy and Andrew Snider. “The boys 4 X 800 Relay team along with Andrew Snider have a good chance to earn an ‘at-large’ berth in the State,” said Coach Battersby. Three out of four of these athletes (Blanton, McCurdy and Snider) had to take A.P. Exams in Chattanooga until noon and rush up to Anderson County in time to race.
Fiona Battersby, Carey Leiper, Kaitlin Robinson and Alex Mullin will be competing next Thursday in the Spring Fling in Murfreesboro and they will vying for the 4 X 800 Relay gold medal. Also, Alex Mullin will compete Wednesday evening (7 p.m. C.S.T.) in the 3200M run and on Thursday evening (6 p.m. C.S.T.) in the 1600M run and 800M run.
| Dining Out | Business | Movies | Focus | About Us |
| Church | Living Well | Memories | Outdoors | Real Estate | Student Scene | Travel |