Girls Track: Mercy knocks off Port Jeff to clinch league title
In what’s become an annual event, the McGann-Mercy girls track team faced Port Jefferson in the final dual meet of the season with the League VIII title up for grabs.
And once again, it was the Monarchs emerging on top.
The Mercy girls clinched the league title under soggy conditions Wednesday afternoon at home with an 87-59 victory over the previously unbeaten Royals. The Monarchs wrapped up the dual meet season 6-0, their third straight undefeated season.
Running her final individual race on her home track, senior Sasa Vann won the 400-meter race in 1 minute .6 seconds. Vann’s victory came on the heels of a victory in the 400 at the St. Anthony’s Invitational over the weekend. Freshman Delany Macchirole ran 1:03.8 for second place.
Senior Tori Tremble had another big meet for the Monarchs. She won her signature event, the 100-hurdles as well as the 400 hurdles. She finished the dual meet season undefeated in the 400 hurdles. She was also second in the 100 dash against the Royals. Danisha Carter won the 100 for Mercy in 13.5. She was also second in the 200.
In the 1,500 the Monarchs went one-two behind eighth-grader Meg Tuthill and senior Emily Venesina. The race came down to the final lap, which turned into an all-out sprint for the two Mercy runners and Mairead Swords of Port Jeff, the Royals’ top distance runner.
Tuthill ran a personal best time of 1:05 over the final lap to win the event while Venesina grabbed second.
The Monarchs swept the 800 behind Delina Auciello (2:32), Katrina Thomson (2:38) and Tiffany Holahan (2:41).
Senior Lauren Valle won the 3,000 in 12:17 and Tuthill completed a difficult double by placing second.
Junior Dani Gehring set a personal record in the high jump by clearing 4 feet 8 inches for second place. Senior Meg Donnelly was third in the event. Donnelly was also third in the shot put and second in the triple jump.
Colleen Edwards won the 1,500 race walk in 8:33.5.
In the relays Mercy won the 4 x 4 and lost the 4 x 1. Port Jefferson elected not to run the 4 x 8.
