First N-O title for Albion girls track team sparked a string of championships

Contributed Photo from Photos by Bruce and Associates – Albion’s 2006 Niagara-Orleans League champion girls track squad included, in front, Shunieka Williams, Porsche Taylor, Tibreya Grace, Michaeli Moffett, Lisa Skrypnik, Catherine DiBella, Jamie Chappius, Kit Lyman, Liz Rosario, Rahema Quddus and Katie Forder. In the middle row are Frances Taomina, Shelby Murek, Amber O’Kussick, Kelsey Moffett, Anna Metcalf, Hannah Moffett, Camri Taylor, Kenyetta Oliver, Kristina Kasper, Robin Rosecrans, Michele Kasper, Ashley Neibert, Valerie Livingston, Emilie Edwards, Ashley Walter and Nancy Rosario. In the back row are Coach Pat Uveino, Coach Julie Garlock, Coach Dave Carson, Melissa Fromm, Madeline Bensley, Shardae Hadick, Staci Waters, Morgan Eastlack, Chelsea Bokman, Liz Lyman, Josephine Rivera, Coach Wayne Wadhams and Coach Jon Priset. Missing from the photo are Shawna Albright, Amber Skrip, Rebecca Deegan and Betesha Thompson.

After finishing in the runner-up spot two of the previous three years, the Albion girls track team claimed its elusive first Niagara-Orleans League championship in 2006 going 6-0 in dual meet competition and taking first place honors in 10 events at the All-League meet.

The milestone achievement sparked Albion to a strong run which saw the Purple Eagles win or share the N-O title five more times over the next six years.

Albion’s closest call during the season was a 25 point (83-58) win over Newfane. The other meets saw the Purple Eagles down Wilson 108-33, Akron 97-44, Roy-Hart 101-40, Barker 103-34 and Medina 105-35.

At the All-League meet, Madeline Bensley swept the 100, 200 and 400 while Lisa Skrypnik captured the 800, Anna Metcalf the 1500, Hannah Moffett the 3000 and Jamie Chappius the Triple Jump.

The Purple Eagles also swept all three relays as Bensley, Chappius, Skrypnik and Catherine DiBella took the 400; Skrypnik, Morgan Eastlack, Kit Lyman and Liz Lyman the 1600 and Skrypnik, Metcalf, Liz Lyman and Kelsey Moffett the 3200.

The Albion boys squad also captured its third straight N-O title that spring.

The Albion girls repeated as N-O champs in 2007 again going 6-0 and claiming 10 wins at the All-League meet.

Bensley repeated in the 100 and 200 while Hannah Moffett swept the 800, 1500 and 3000. Eastlack also took the 400 Hurdles and Staci Waters the Triple Jump.

Again the Purple Eagles swept the three relays with Bensley, Chappius, Kit Lyman and Shawna Albright in the 400; Bensley, Eastlack, Lyman and Chelsea Bokman in the 1600 and Bokman, Lyman, Eastlack and Baylee Hapeman in the 3200.

After finishing in the runner-up spot in 2008, Albion reclaimed a one-third share of the title in 2009 sharing it with Roy-Hart and Akron at 5-1.

The Purple Eagles concluded their big run by claiming the championship outright in 2010, 2011 and 2012 going 6-0 each year.