CHS girls cruise past E-town

Cocalico freshman Jamie Zamrin won a pair of events Monday. (Photo by Preston Whitcraft)

With the uncertainty of the weather in the early spring, coaches never quite know what they are going to get from their team when&tstr;bad weather or not&tstr; it’s time to compete.

Fortunately for Cocalico track Coach Ron Derr, he liked what he saw from his squad Monday afternoon in the season-opening meet at home vs. Elizabethtown.

In girls’ action, Cocalico won 15 of the 18 events contested in cruising to an impressive 109-40 victory over the Lady Bears. On the boys’ side, the Cocalico boys hung stride for stride with the Bears throughout the day. However, in the end, E-town’s depth proved to be the difference in a tight 75-68 decision.

Derr’s overall impression on his team for its first meet?

“Given the training season we have had to date I was pleased with our meet one performances,” he said Tuesday. “It has been a very challenging spring, but I thought for the most part we prepared and competed very well for March 23. Despite being a chilly day it was good to finally compete and learn a bit about who we are and what we can be. There is obviously a lot of room for improvement, but also I believe we have a lot to look forward to in our season.

There was a lot to like on the girls’ side.

Senior Cassandra Bean picked up a couple wins on the day, claiming both the high hurdles (17.09) and long jump (14-6). Junior Megan Gingrich and freshman Jamie Zamrin also claimed two victories each as Gingrich won the 300 hurdles (50.1) and triple jump (30-10) while Zamrin won both the 800 (2:27.1) and 1600 (5:36.7).

And last, but certainly not least, junior throwing star Emily Stauffer launched the shot put 46-4¼ and also claimed the discus with a heave of 105-5. With her winning throw in the shot, Stauffer broke her own outdoor school record of 43-10 set during her freshman year.

Other individual winners included: sophomore Julia Sensenig in the 400 (1:09.7); sophomore Hannah Palm in the 200 (28.1); freshman Paxton Steffy in the pole vault; and freshman thrower Mackenzie Hainley in the javelin. Hainley uncorked a throw of 116-4 to edge teammate Jenna Lawville (114-1).

Cocalico also added three relay wins to complete an outstanding first day, in spite of the weather.

“We had a lot of contributions from our veteran captains as well as from some athletes new to the varsity team,” Derr said. “It was exciting to see Cassandra Bean have such a great first meet, As a senior captain had two firsts, a second and was on a winning relay. I would never want to take having Emily Stauffer for granted and it is so tremendous to have her back and competing for the team and winning shot and disc. Megan Gingrich was also key in winning two events, placing second and being on a winning relay. Our girls had an excellent showing from freshman who won four different events. Jamie Zamrin winning the mile and 800, Mackenzie Hainley winning the javelin and Paxton Steffy winning the pole vault. Jamie had a fantastic indoor season and made her presence felt early in the outdoor season.”

On the boys’ side, there were also some outstanding individual performances turned in by Cocalico athletes, led by seniors Arion Dominique and Stewart Martin.

Dominique earned individual wins in both the 100 (11.7) and triple jump (40-5¼) while Martin captured both the javelin (145-1) and discus (124-9).

Four others won single events individually, and they included: Jake Renninger in the 300 hurdles (49.2); Kenny Wallace in the 3200 (11:00.3); Demitri Whitsett in the high jump (5-8); and Cameron Steffy in the pole vault (9-6).

The team of Casey Kerschner, Dominique, Whitsett and Bryan Buckwalter added a win in the 4X100 relay (52.4).

“Stewart Martin turned in a fantastic day for the boys, placing in all three throws while winning two of them,” Derr said. “Arion Dominique had a very nice day winning the 100 and starting his triple jump season with 40-5 and ran a leg in the winning 4×100 relay. Ken Wallace had a strong showing in the distance events and Jake Renninger also turned in a solid day in hurdles and jumps.”

Up next, Cocalico will host its second and final home meet of the year next Monday when the Eagles host Manheim Central, beginning at 4 p.m.