Marist won six of 18 events at Wednesday’s East Suburban Catholic meet, but Benet’s depth proved insurmountable.
The Redwings won their eighth consecutive ESCC track title and their 19th in 22 years, edging second-place Marist 141-119 at Concordia College. Providence placed third with 88 points and Fenwick took fourth with 73 points.
“It was a tale of two styles. Marist has a lot of stars,” Benet coach Scott Brooks said. “We don’t have a lot of stars. We just have depth. I think we scored in almost every event today and I knew that’s what we had to do.
“And I can’t even begin to name the number of PR’s and unexpected performances we had today. They wanted this.”
Benet had two champions in long jumper Jenna Martin and discus thrower Claire Erlenborn. Martin repeated as ESCC champion while Erlenborn tossed a personal record of 91’10” in overtaking last year’s champion, teammate Olivia Bugno.
“It was a really good day,” Erlenborn said. “We’ve had horrible weather all season but today it was perfect and the wind was nice.”
Benet’s mix of seniors and freshmen have carried the load this season.
“I think our seniors did a good job of pushing the freshmen and getting them to step it up,” Erlenborn said. “But we’ve all been wowed at how great some of them are doing.”
Marist’s Kelly Corrollo won high jump and pole vault titles, while the finish of the day went to Marist’s AnnMarie Leonard, who finished the 3200 meter run .13 seconds ahead of Benet’s Clare McCabe.
The two finished the final 50 meters shoulder-to-shoulder.
“It’s good because you have somebody to push you in that situation,” Leonard said. “I ran the 4-by-800 earlier today so I knew this race would be tough.”
Fenwick sophomore Grace Cronin nearly won three events, taking the hurdle events at 100 and 300 meters and placing second in the high jump. Cronin’s 15.69 time in the 100 hurdles was a full second faster than second-placer Loren Riedy of Benet.
“I always have butterflies but not as much today,” Cronin said. “It’s my first year in the (100 hurdles) and I’m getting more comfortable with it. And I wasn’t my best in the high jump today.”
Marist also earned titles in the 3,200 and 800 relays while Alexis Pitts won the 100 meter dash for the Redhawks.
Providence won the 400 and 1,600 relays while the Celtics’ Emma Griffith won the 400 meters, while and Fenwick’s Olivia Ryan used a tremendous kick to overtake Marist’s MaryClare Leonard in the 800 meters.
Mee’Shaunda Roddy took the 200 meter title for Marian Catholic, Nazareth’s Raven Gant won the shot put, while Carmel’s Hosana Huff won the triple jump.
