The group of girls sitting in the shade just a few yards from the running track at White Plains High School Friday afternoon weren’t picnicking or hanging out or deepening their sun tans. Members of the Somers track were waiting their turns to compete for spots in next week’s New York State Track and Field meet.

Section 1 teams from Westchester County determined their champions this past week and sent the best runners, jumpers and throwers to the section’s qualifying meet Thursday and Friday. The Somers girls had a number of top relay teams and individual athletes qualify under coach Tim Fulton, who said the season was a strong one for the Tuskers.

“We had a very good year,” said Fulton, who doubles as team photographer and public relations manager.

Eve Marenghi , who broke the five-minute barrier in the mile and set school records in the 800-meter with a time of 2:15.97 and the 400 in 58.3 seconds, said she enjoyed being a team player.

“I like the demand of the individual races but running with the team is great because we push each other and share the responsibility,” Marenghi said. “I like the challenge of the individual events, but when you’re running with a team you can’t let down like you might when you’re out there alone.”

Maggie Hashmall, who was going to compete in the 1,500 and the 4X400 relay with her teammates, said the teamwork began with motivation.

“You know there are other girls there for you,” Hashmall said. “We all run cross country and most of us run indoors, so the year is long. We keep each other up.”

When asked what they sacrifice when training and running three seasons the girls answered almost as one.

“Friday nights,” one said as the others laughed. “We never get a Friday night to just relax.”

And for the girls who qualified for the state meet, there are two more tough Friday nights to go.

 

 

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