Walnut Hills girls track team takes another ECC title

WALNUT HILLS – If they handed out rings for league championships, those associated with the Walnut Hills High School girls track and field team would have a handful.

The Lady Eagles racked up the proverbial "one for the thumb" with their latest Eastern Cincinnati Conference meet championship at Anderson May 16. Dating back to the old Fort Ancient Valley Conference, Walnut Hills has won five straight.

"It's something we've kind of come to expect," Robinson said. "The girls know that we have to work very hard. It doesn't come easy."

A year ago, the Lady Eagles ran away with the meet. This season, Walnut won by less but still had a number of champions and scorers. Robinson had to replace several girls to graduation, including distance ace Maryn Lowry who now runs at Iowa State.

In the relays, Walnut Hills took the 4x100, 4x200 and 4x400. Individually, junior Arissa Freeman doubled up with wins in the 100 and 200 meters; junior Taylor Darks won the 400 and senior Grace O'Donnell was the 1,600 champion.

"Grace O'Donnell has been fabulous," Robinson said. "This year she's blossomed as a 1,600 runner. She's also made attempts at the school record in the 3,200 and has also got points in the 800."

In field events, Western Kentucky-bound Chelsea Carpenter heaved the shot 40' 6" and the discus 134' 5" for a pair of wins.

"She's one of the best throwers in Southwest Ohio," Robinson said. "Having her in those two events is kind of a given."

To make up for the personnel losses, Robinson has often had girls double up and/or do different events. The end result has been more hardware.

"What were doing is really a tribute to the girls," Robinson said. "This is an entire team. Championships cannot be won by having a dominant group of sprinters. You have to have the distance runners, you have to have the throwers, you have to have the jumpers."

Adding to Walnut's scoring depth have been junior distance runners Kelley Coleman, Hannah Schroeder and Collier Summay; senior Niamani Mayes in the hurdles and long jump; junior Keira Hassel in throws; and sophomore Rachel Berndsen in high jump and pole vault.

The best relay for Walnut Hills is the 4x200 featuring Freeman, Darks, freshman Kahla Cornett and junior Janae Trimble, a transfer from Northwest.

"Every week they're running season bests together," Robinson said. "We can only continue to hope they're going to improve."

The district meet will be difficult with the likes of Mason, Ursuline, Withrow, Lakota West and Princeton lurking about. Robinson thinks her ECC champion sprinters, Freeman and Darks should advance.

"I think she's going to make it to state on her own this year, which is a huge accomplishment," Robinson said of Freeman.

Darks did make the state meet in the 400 a year ago, finishing 11th as a sophomore. Robinson believes she's reaching her peak, which could lead to a promising June.

Walnut Hills boys track and field

The Eagles were third at the Eastern Cincinnati Conference meet at Anderson May 16. Senior Ellery Lassiter won the shot put at 52' 0.5" and the Eagles won the 4x200 relay.