Albion girls face key N-O track opener

Photo by Mike Wertman – Getting set to lead the Albion girls track team into the upcoming league season are these Purple Eagle veterans. In front are Hannah Grammar, Emma Mathes, Katie Rustay and Kiara Smith. In back are Malory Adams, Kirsten Struble, Chanyce Powell, Yasmeen Shabazz and Savanna Wirth.

The Niagara-Orleans League track season looks to get off to a fast start for the Albion girls squad as the Purple Eagles will host defending champion Akron on April 20.

Akron posted a 6-0 record last spring to claim the N-O crown for the third time in the last four years while Albion finished in a three-way tie for second place at 4-2 with Newfane and Wilson.

Senior Chanyce Powell, who captured first place honors in both the Long Jump and Triple Jump at the N-O All-League meet, heads Albion’s group of returning All-League meet place finishers. She went on to win both events at the Section VI championships and to place fourth in the Triple Jump and fifth in the Long Jump at the state meet.

That continent of returning All-League meet place finishers also includes seniors Hannah Wheling (5th in 400 Hurdles) and Yasmeen Shabazz (5th in Shotput) along with sophomores Kirsten Struble (4th in 400), Hannah Grammar (5th in 400) and Emma Mathes (6th in 3000).

Other key members of the Purple Eagles squad include seniors Katie Rustay (Pole Vault), Kirara Smith (Discus), Savanna Wirth (Discus) and sophomore Malory Adams (800).

Schedule
April: 20 – Akron, 4:15 p.m.; 25 – Newfane, 4:15 p.m.; 27 – Medina, 4:15 p.m..
May: 4 – at Wilson, 4:15 p.m.; 6 – at Batavia Invitational; 9 – Roy-Hart, 4:15 p.m.; 11 – at Barker, 4:15 p.m.; 13 – at Rush-Henrietta Invitational; 17 and 18 – at All-League meet at Akron, 4 p.m.