Taylor, Lindley, Quinn set the pace
Kate Taylor of Eden won the senior girls race at the Niagara Regional High School Athletic Association Zone 3 and 4 cross country meet Thursday at Fireman’s Park in Niagara Falls. Photo: BILL POTRECZ
Kate Taylor made it three titles in three years at the Niagara Regional High School Athletic Association Zone 3 and 4 cross country meet Thursday at Fireman’s Park in Niagara Falls.
The 16-year-old, Grade 11 student at Eden placed first in the senior girls division with a time of 24:38.2, out-pacing second place finisher Madison Eaton of Laura Secord.
The win completed the triple crown for Taylor who also won in junior last year and in novice in Grade 9.
“The goal was just to enjoy and (have) a good training and long run,” Taylor said.
Taylor said she had enough remaining in her tank to sprint to victory.
“It was my long run pace and then I did a kick (at the end),” she said. “I was just hanging on and then I kicked. I thought I had enough, absolutely, and planned it that way.”
Taylor is looking forward to the Southern Ontario Secondary Schools Association (SOSSA) meet next week.
“I have my hopes up,” she said.
Last season, Taylor competed at SOSSA under less than ideal conditions.
“I was sick and ran but just for fun and to be part of the team.”
Taylor, who also runs the 400, 800 and 1,500 in track, is a member of the Niagara Olympic Club. She has also trained with Thorold Elite.
“Both have been great,” she said.
Winning the para girls four-kilometre race was Hunter Hornby of St. Catharines Collegiate in a time of 34:05.
JUNIOR
Helena Lindley of Sir Winston Churchill cruised to an easy victory in the junior girls division.
The 15-year-old, Grade 10 student finished first with a time of 19:40.7, well ahead of Violet Crowe of Governor Simcoe who placed second.
“It was pretty good,” she said.
Lindley came into the race with the mindset to keep pace with
“I knew that Violet was a good runner so my goal was to stick with her for the race,” she said. “I’m pretty pleased.”
Lindley took an early lead and led the rest of the way.
“On the first lap, the other girl was leading and then I passed her on the hill and then led the rest,” she said.
Lindley began racing in Grade 4 and then competitively in Grade 9 when she joined Niagara Olympic Club.
She was hampered by a stubborn knee problem last year which required physiotherapy.
“Now I’m good,” she said. “It’s really helpful (to be healthy). Sometimes in my races it would hurt and bring me back. I think it was from overtraining.”
Lindley was quickly congratulated by her Bulldog teammates followed her victory.
“My goal is to get top five at OFSSA (Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations) and the goal is for our team to win SOSSA and top 10 at OFSAA,” she said.
Lindley also competes in track and field where she runs the 400, 800 and 1,500.
NOVICE
Mazie Quinn of Sir Winston Churchill made a successful high school debut, finishing first in the novice girls division with a time of 16:27.3.
“It was my first zone,” the 14-year-old, Grade 9 student said. “It feels really good. I’m proud of my race.”
Quinn, who races with Edge Sport, got off to a strong start which played into her game plan.
“From the start we all kind of went out together and as we made the turn, I separated from the pack,” she said. “I do like to lead. I don’t really like to run as a group. I just feel better out front.”
Quinn said she has no problem being the hunted.
“It really does give me motivation because I know that they are on me.”
Quinn, who comes from a racing family and started running at a young age, had high hopes for her first high school meet.
“I knew there were a couple other girls that were really good, about the same speed as me, but I was really hoping for a win.”
She is already looking forward to next week and beyond.
“I want to make in to OFSAA and do really well there and just run throughout the rest of high school,” she said.
Quinn pointed to the start of the race as her toughest challenge.
“Probably the nerves, being on the start line. It’s really nerve wracking seeing all the competition lined up with you and for the first 100 metres where you are all basically sprinting.”
RESULTS
Novice girls individual top five 4k: 1. Mazie Quinn, Sir Winston 16:27.3; 2. Violet MacDonald, Laura Secord; 3. Aaliyah Henry, A.N. Myer; 4. Lauren Rulli, West Niagara; 5. Alyssa Bodner, Centennial.
Zone 4 novice teams advancing to SOSSA: 1. West Niagara (4. Rulli, 16. Victoria Moore, 17. Isla John, 23. Victoria O’ Hara); 2. Governor Simcoe (7. Izabelle Degooy, 10. Callie Melmoth, 29. Lucille Bureau, 31. Mackenzie House); 3. Laura Secord (2. MacDonald; 11. Anissa Mackie; 39. Marina Martina; 40. Hadley Allard).
Zone 3 novice teams advancing to SOSSA: 1. E.L. Crossley (14. Cate Trinder; 22. Katherine McGlynn; 24. Emmersyn Waselovich; 28. Jaelynn Ruczay).
Junior girls individual top five 5k: 1. Helena Lindley, Sir Winston 19:40.7; 2. Violet Crowe, Governor Simcoe; 3. Alivia Nickason, Eden; 4. Meena Van Grieken, Sir Winston; 5. Amara Van Grieken, Sir Winston.
Zone 4 junior teams advancing to SOSSA: 1. Sir Winston 1. (Quinn, 4. Meena Van Grieken, 5. Amara Van Grieken, 7. Ines De La Fuente; 12. Lauren Dunlop); 2. West Niagara (8. Lucy McGinn, 14. Chloe Van Geest, 15. Peyton Wright, 16. Addison Wright, 21. Sandra McNally); Eden (3. Nickason, 11. Charlotte Stafford, 19. Jean Vanderburgh, 22. Eva Zhakova).
Senior girls individual top five 5 6K: 1. Kate Taylor, Eden (24:38.2); 2. Madison Eaton, Laura Secord; 3. Lila Lane, Eden; 4. Thea Quinn, Churchill; 5. Olivia Bruinsma, West Niagara.
Zone 3 senior girls teams advancing to SOSSA: 1. West Niagara (5. Bruinsma; 11. Sydney Jeffery; 19. Astrid Stahl; 28. Anna Van Geel); 2. E.L. Crossley (12. Lydia Jeffery; 18. Sasha Tarsus; 33.Claire Breadner ; 37. Aliyah Sara)
Zone 4 senior girls teams advancing to SOSSA: 1. Eden (1. Taylor; 3. Lane; 6. Adali Cavvichia; 7. Annalia Moran; 15. Drew Ankersmit) 2. Churchill (4. Thea Quinn; 8. Tessa Grosvenor; 9. Zoe Quinn; 10. Hailey Taubeneck; 20. Natalia Saunders); 3. Heritage Christian (16. Mikaela Burke; 17. Mackenzie Kikkert; 30. Alayna Hollemans; 34. Abby Slingerland).
Dear reader. If you liked this story or one of the 6,300 other stories found on our website, please consider hitting the Support Us button on the right-hand side of our home page and making a PayPal contribution to our website. Your support would be much appreciated. If you are a business owner, please consider advertising on our site. Our rates are reasonable and we provide plenty of exposure for your business. Contact bpotrecz@outlook.com for more information.
