Elaina Flaitz and Brennan Delany wrap up “undefeated” season
The Hornell Red Raiders Indoor Track and Field team concluded the regular season in a “one event and done” Saturday at RIT as athletes in the Rochester Winter Track League had one last chance to improve their seeds before next week’s Section V Championship meets.
“Today it was ‘mission accomplished. Our athletes had one more chance to improve their positions on the Section V Leaderboard before Monday night’s seedings. With several new personal bests, many on the team took full advantage of the opportunity.”
8th grader Elisa Bodin won the 3000m run in a personal best time of 12:08.90.
8th grader Riley Harwood placed 7th in the 55m dash with a personal best of 7.96.
8th grader Silvia Carretto finished 9th in the 600m run with her personal best time of 1:54.50.
8th grader Marianne Colson was also 9th in the 300m dash in 47.11.
“And it has been a tremendous year for these young Lady Raiders. After a season of battling with Section V’s best athletes, they’ve proven they can compete at the highest level in the crucible of competition. Coach DeLany and I are very proud of them and all they’ve accomplished. ‘Rookies’ no more, they will form the nucleus of an outstanding team for years to come.”
Harwood, Carretto, and Colson also teamed with senior, Elaina Flaitz in the 4 x 200m Relay to place 4th in a season’s best time of 1:59.52.
On the boys’ side, Ashton Hooker was 11th in the 600m with a personal best time of 1:39.95. “Ashton’s drop in time moves him up several spots on the leaderboard and places him” on the bubble” for sectional qualification.”
Jacob Phillips placed 3rd in the Triple Jump with a leap of 35-11.
Ayden Travis took 17th in the 1000m run (3:28.49).
Nathan Wise finished 30th in the 300m dash (41.86).
And Senior, Brennan Delany anchored the 4 x 200m Relay of Wise, Hooker, and Philips to place 8th with a season’s-best time of 1:42.87.
“Our Boys’ squad will get a chance to compete in the 4 x 200m and 4 x 400m relays at next week’s Section V Championship Meet, and jake Phillips is s top seed heading into the Triple Jump. Track is often a numbers game and our numbers were down, but these great young men have trained hard and competed tenaciously all season and have earned those spots.”
Flaitz also won the High Jump with a leap of 5-0 and DeLany won the Pole Vault clearing 12-0.
“Elaina and Brennan were undefeated in these events this season as well as winning each at the RWTL Championships for the second straight year.”
Elaina and Brennan received their Championship awards at today’s meet, and Brennan claimed the title of Male Field Event Athlete of the Meet with his victories in the Triple Jump and Pole Vault and winning gold on the track in the 55m Hurldes. Lainey also earned two silver medals in the 55m Hurdles and 300m dash.
Last week these two seniors also competed at the Ocean Breeze Indoor Track and Field Invitational in Staten Island, NY (home of the NYS Championship Meet). Competing against athletes from over 630 teams and seven states in elite competition, Elaina set a personal best in the 55m Hurdles (9.56), and placed 5th in the High Jump (5-2), while Brennan took 5th in the Triple Jump (42-9.75), and advanced to the finals of the 55m Hurdles (7.96), finishing 7th overall.
“This has been an amazing season for our senior standouts and team captains. Coach DeLany and I applaud their consistently outstanding performances. But, Lainey and Brennan will have no time to rest on their laurels. Next Sunday at Nazareth College they will continue their quest for Section V Class Championship patches, personal bests, and school records. Then, a few days later, both will battle the best all of Section V has to offer for a chance to compete at Ocean Breeze and represent the Hornell Red Raiders at the State Championship Meet.”
