Rain doesn’t slow down Heritage runner
Heritage Christian School’s Kate Ybema placed first in the senior girls division Thursday at the Niagara Region High School Athletic Association Zone 4 cross country meet at Firemen’s Park in Niagara Falls. Photo by: BILL POTRECZ
Kate Ybema clearly enjoys running in the rain.
The 16-year-old, Grade 11 student at Heritage Christian School in South Lincoln outdistanced the competition to capture the senior girls division championship under less-than-deal conditions Thursday at the Niagara Region High School Athletic Association Zone 4 cross country meet at Firemen’s Park in Niagara Falls.
“It was cold, it was wet, it was slippery, but overall I felt fine,” Ybema said. “I felt like I could run best in this weather because it’s not hot, but it’s not too cold at the same time.
“I’m pretty good at running in hard conditions like hard rain or snow.”
Ybema set her sights high before the race.
“The goal was to get in the top five, maybe,” she said. “I finished first so I exceeded my expectations.”
Ybema wasn’t sure what to expect as the race began.
“I was pretty confident,” she said. “I was a little bit nervous, but I was scared because I’m not usually good at coming out really fast, but I ended up being in front of the pack.”
Ybema began running six years ago and placed first in Grade 9 in the novice girls division.
She missed out on her Grade 10 year due to the COVID pandemic.
“I’m really glad this happened this year,” she said.
Ybema would like to continue running at the next level at the university level. She also runs the 1,500 and 3,000 in track.
Zone 4 senior girls individual: 1. Kate Ybema, Heritage Christian (25:23.8); 2. Lexi Clark, Grimsby; 3. Isabella Goveia, Sir Winston Churchill; 4. Hailey Morey, Eden; 5. Emma Esau, Eden.
Zone 4 senior girls team: 1. Eden (4. Hailey Morey; 5. Emma Esau; 10. Pauline Rotz; 12. Gabrielle Johnson; 14. Elli Rigby); 2. Sir Winston Churchill.
JUNIOR GIRLS
Eden’s Chloe DiLalla breezed to victory in the junior girls category.
The 15-year-old, Grade 10 student said she used the lead rider to help her pace herself.
“In a way, with the biker in front, it’s kind of like someone pushing you,” she said. “It’s good to have someone in front of you. I was kind of worried that there wouldn’t be someone with me, because I wanted to be pushed harder in a way.”
DiLalla had no preconceived notions heading into the race, which was her first at the high school level.
“I just wanted to put all my training into it and do my best,” she said. “I want our team to do good too. We have a strong team and I want us all to do well for each other as well as just individuals.”
DiLalla joined the Niagara Olympic Club in March.
“I started independently running in October,” she said. “I used to play basketball and soccer because I wanted to try something new so I started running on my own and then with my dad as well.
“I really liked it and then I joined in March for track season.”
DiLalla said she had to work her way up early on in the race.
“I started off trying to get to the front of the pack because most people sprinted out,” she said. “You have to find the pace first, don’t worry about anyone else, but kind of stay at the front.”
Zone 4 junior girls individual: 1. Chloe DiLalla, Eden (19:56.8); 2. Keira Scott, Sir Winston Churchill; 3. Abby Brendzy, Sir Winston Churchill; 4. Claire Moran, Eden; 5. Jolanta Clarke, Sir Winston Churchill.
Zone 4 junior girls team: 1. Eden (1. Chloe DiLalla; 4; Claire Moran; 7. Anika Rigby; 8. Megan DenBak; 15. Eva Atkins); 2. Sir Winston Churchill.
NOVICE GIRLS
It was a family affair for Zoe Quinn as she crossed the finish line first in the novice girls category.
The 14-year-old, Grade 9 student at Sir Winston Churchill followed her father, Governor Simcoe teacher and lead rider Sean Quinn, while being trailed by her twin sister, Thea Quinn, who placed second.
“I thought starting out faster would be good so I wanted to get out in front and just settle into a good pace and finish the race,” Zoe Quinn said. “It’s definitely much better leading and you don’t have to worry about catching people.”
Quinn, who is a member of the Niagara Olympic Club, recently started running with Sir Winston Winston and has been running since she was in Grade 2.
“This is definitely my favourite sport,” she said.
She had high expectations entering the race.
“I went in definitely wanting to come first because I’ve been training so hard,” Zoe said. “I think this was definitely a good race and I did what I wanted to do.”
Zone 4 novice girls individual: 1. Zoe Quinn, Sir Winston Churchill (17:20.6); 2. Thea Quinn, Sir Winston Churchill; 3. Layla Gallant, Thorold; 4. Madison Walton, St. Catharines Collegiate; 5. Olivia Bruinsma, Grimsby.
Zone 4 novice girls team: 1. Sir Winston Churchill (1. Zoe Quinn; 2. Thea Quinn; 6. Anya Namestik; 7. Erica Boles; 11.Tesia Wilson).
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