Sports
Despite Losses, Absegami Girls' Track Team Will Rely on Experience
The seniors will be asked to fill the gap left by two departing stars.
The Absegami High School girls’ track team has plenty of seniors to lean on this season.
However, the Braves' success may be determined by how fast the underclassmen progress.
Absegami has 21 freshmen out for the team.
Find out what's happening in Gallowaywith free, real-time updates from Patch.
"They are all progressing and all are doing well," Absegami coach Janet Hutchings said. "It's difficult to tell how good we can be at this point. We will see how well they do down the road."
The Braves, who won six dual meets in 2010, and are usually near the top of the pack in the Cape-Atlantic League, have to make up for losses left by graduating seniors, especially Katrina Guerrier and Darice Collier.
Find out what's happening in Gallowaywith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Guerrier dominated the competition last season. The former Absegami star was the best thrower in the CAL, and among the best in the Garden State. Collier was a standout sprinter and excelled in the long jump. Hutchings and the team will look to the seniors to fill in and make up for the losses.
"Our strength is the experience of the seniors," Hutchings said. "We don't have that one event or area that we are super strong where we have first, seconds and thirds. But we definitely have experience with our seniors."
The 2011 class features Laura Harris, a versatile athlete who competes in the 100-meter hurdles, the high jump, long jump and triple jump.
Seniors Lennirra Mason, a sprinter and long jumper, and Maggie Axelrod, a distance runner will be counted on this season.
Jordan Jobs plays a key role in the 4x400 relay team and in both hurdle events. Capri Jackson runs in the 200 and the 400.
Although the seniors will play a large role, the team's success won't just hinge on them.
Sophomore Katie Juniewicz is a standout distance runner, and junior Hayley Sacchietti will run distance and hurdles.
The CAL is always competitive, especially with teams like Egg Harbor Township, Mainland, Vineland and rival Oakcrest on the schedule.
"I think we will be successful if we go .500," Hutchings said. "That's what I'm going for. It's going to be tough. There are a lot of good teams out there. It's going to be tough. I hope we are .500. That is realistic. Of course I have to see what our new people do as time goes on. We will see what happens."
