by Kurt Wheeler
CAZENOVIA – The Cazenovia girls indoor track team demonstrated both talent and resilience as it successfully completed its first ever outdoor season during March and April of 2021.
Unable to compete in the usual indoor venues hosted by area colleges, Central New York teams benefited from remarkably good weather as they conducted an abbreviated season on their own outdoor tracks this spring.
The Lakers earned success in all three of its head-to-head contests, defeating CBA, Bishop Grimes and Marcellus. The team also conducted two “virtual meets,” conducted solo at their home facility with times and distances compared to other squads doing the same.
The girls’ performances were remarkable strong given the short season and the challenges of competing with a mask on.
Their enthusiasm to resume sports after a long interlude from the fall season was evident as 43 girls took part, including many who typically play other sports but took advantage of the timing of the unique “Fall II” season.
Also, their positive attitude and toughness was on display every day as every minute of their practices and competitions was conducted outdoors, even on the blustery days that were inevitable in Upstate New York.
The squad demonstrated its ability as scholar-athletes as well, with 35 girls achieving the benchmark of a 90% GPA during the season. The top three fourth of the roster earned an overall average of 95.2 to compete in the New York State Public High School Athletic Association’s state-wide competition.
The athletes demonstrated dramatic improvement from one meet to the next, earning an average of 50 season-best performances per meet, an average of more than one per competitor.
It was difficult to select just three athletes for recognition at the end of season celebration with so many girls excelling despite the challenges.
Carley Lounsbury was selected as the team’s Most Valuable Athlete as she excelled in both track and field events. She led the team in the 1,000-meter run and the pole vault and contributed heavily to the 4×800 as well.
Lily Sorbello earned Most Valuable Field Athlete as she led the team in the shot put and weight throw and set a new school record in the weight. Sorbello was also instrumental as a mentor to the younger throwers on the team.
Grace Dolan earned Most Valuable Track Athlete honors, topping the team in the 200 and 400-meter dashes and leading her two relays to an undefeated season.
The team bid farewell to 12 seniors, including captains Lounsbury, Ava Gavitt, Lili Gavitt and Molly Hart. The seniors’ positive attitude and leadership were instrumental in guiding the team to a positive outcome, athletically and morally, during the exceptional 2021 season and they will all be missed.
Despite losing such a valuable core of experience, the team looks forward to the resumption of indoor track next year with more than 30 returning athletes.
