Valkyrie Sisters take Brother Borgia Invitational

With only three weeks left in the season, the Sacred Heart track and field team underwent their final track meet before Regionals and State competitions ensued. The Valkyries raced at Saint Xavier High School in the competitive Brother Borgia Invitational on Saturday, Apr. 29.

Valkyries smile before heading off to their races.

The 4×800 meter relay of sophomores Katie Beckman, Estelle Gabriel, Kiera Bates, and Kendall Knights kicked off the meet with the Valkyries taking sixth place.

In the 100 meter hurdles, junior Nina Piazza took seventh place with a time of 18.33 seconds. Her teammate, junior Drayden Zaring, placed 15th.

The 4×200 meter relay team of senior Melissa Jones, junior Shelby Arnett, and freshmen Iaunia Pointer and Kami Springfield fought for fourth place, aiming for a State qualifying time in the swift event.

Despite the fourth place finish, Jones remained proud of her team. “We worked well with one another and communicated,” she said, “and I think we have a strong chance of breaking the SHA record of 1:44.”

In the 1600 meter run, sophomore Katie Beckman took third place with a time of 5:42. Junior Claire Esselman placed 11th in the race, sophomore Kendall Knight placed 14th, and sophomore Ceci McCombs placed 18th.

Senior Isabelle Schafer led the Valkyries in the 800 meter run, placing seventh with a time of 2:26. Junior Natalie Ducas followed closely behind in eighth place.

Support the Valkyries as they take Regionals at the Assumption Green next Tuesday, May 9. Follow @SHARunning on Twitter to stay updated.