Follow the leader
Kristina Etezadi did it her way at the Niagara Region High School Athletic Association’s Zone 3/4 cross country meet at Fireman’s Park in Niagara Falls Wednesday.
The 16-year-old, Grade 11 student at A.N. Myer led for the duration to finish with the top overall time in the senior girls division, finishing the six-kilometre course in a time of 24:53.5.
“I tried from the beginning (to lead),” Etezadi said. “I like to be up front so I can be comfortable with my own pace so I like to try and start leading and see if I can hold it.
“I like to do my own pace throughout the race.”
Etezadi said she doesn’t concern herself with what may be coming up behind her.
“I didn’t look behind me, I try to not to at all,” she said. “I’m just focused. I can hear people if they’re really close and breathing but I just focus on my own thing.”
Etezadi, who trains with Athletics Niagara, had high aspirations coming into the meet.
“I kind of go into all of them thinking I’m going to do my best and whatever happens, but I obviously want to win and go to OFSAA because it was super fun last year but if I do my best, then whatever happens, happens,” she said.
Etezadi was awarded a silver medal at the Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations championships last season and would love nothing more than to come home with a gold this time.
But first things first.
“I’m going to try. We’ll see what happens at SOSSA (Southern Ontario Secondary Schools Association) and then move on again. It would be super cool.”
Etezadi was blown away at the level of competition at OFSAA last year.
“It’s much harder, much tougher with the girls racing there,” she said. “Couldn’t lead that one.”
SOSSA will be held Thursday, Oct. 27 at Fireman’s Park.
Zone 3
Senior girls individual: 1. Kristina Etezadi, A.N. Myer (24:53.6); 2. Jade Boisvert, Stamford; 3. Madison Douma, A.N. Myer; 4. Zoe Chan, Niagara Christian College; 5. Ariella Donnelly, Centennial.
Senior girls team: 1. A.N. Myer (1:44:14.80); 2. Centennial; 3. St. Jean de Brebeuf; 4. E.L. Crossley; 5. Niagara Christian College.
Junior girls individual: 1. Sasha Tarasuk, E.L. Crossley (24:06.6); 2. Raine West, A.N. Myer; 3;. Teaghan Brown E.L. Crossley; 4. Bianca Romano, Centennial; 5. Sara Smith, Port Colborne.
Novice girls individual: 1. Lydia Jeffery, E.L. Crossley (18:59.5); 2. Leah Waselovich, E.L. Crossley; 3. Rachel Jeffery, E.L. Crossley; 4. McKenna Halstead, E.L. Crossley; 5. Ariana Romano, Centennial.
Novice girls team: E.L. Crossley (1:22:29.80).
Zone 4
Senior girls individual: 1. Chloe DiLalla, Eden (25:04.8). 2. Kate Ybema, Heritage Christian; 3. Lexi Clark, West Niagara; 4. Abby Brendzy, Sir Winston Churchill; 5. Emma Esau, Eden.
Junior girls individual: 1.Tessa Grovenor, Sir Winston Churchill (20:46.5); 2. Zoe Quinn, Sir Winston Churchill; 3. Thea Quinn, Sir Winston Churchill; 4. Madison Eaton, Laura Secord; 5. Olivia Bruinsma, West Niagara.
Junior girls team: 1. Sir Winston Churchill (1:24:22.10); 2. West Niagara; 3. Laura Secord; 4. Eden.
Novice girls individual: Kate Taylor, Governor Simcoe (18:03.08); 2. Ayla Laing, Governor Simcoe; 3. Sydney Jeffery, West Niagara;4. Mackenzie Kikkert, Heritage Christian; 5. Annalia Moran, Eden.
Novice girls team: 1. Eden (1:19:50.30); 2. Heritage Christian; 3. West Niagara; 4. Governor Simcoe; 5. Sir Winston Churchill.
Para-Athlete: 1. Cassie Kemp, St. Catharines Collegiate.
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