for breaking news visit www.qns.com MARCH 24, 2016 • The CourieR SUN 47 sports NATIO NAL HO NOR S FOR AR CHBISHO P MOLOY TRA CK/FIEL D By Miguel Vasquez [email protected]/@QueensCourier This past weekend, Archbishop Molloy High School’s athletes achieved the epitome of U.S. sporting excellence. The boys and girls track/field teams participated in the New Balance Nationals Indoor competition, held from March 11-13 in Harlem, at the Armory Track and Field Center on 216 Fort Washington Ave. Led by coach Kawan Lovelace, a Molloy alumni and 1996 Olympian, nine of the athletes were able to rank in the top six of their respective events. Facing off against competitors from all across the nation, the boys against 41 teams, and the girls against 18 teams, they defied the odds stacked against them. Not only did they break school records, but the boys shuttle hurdle relay team landed in fourth place with a relay time of 30.59, while the girls shuttle hurdle relay team ranked in sixth place with a time of 33.54. Lastly, Sarah Kowpak also placed in sixth for her high jump of 5’6″. In national championships, ranking within the top six allows the athletes to receive All-American honors. This is the first time Archbishop Molloy has had nine athletes become All-Americans within the same year. Having been a member of the program himself, coach Lovelace is extremely passionate about his role in track/field. “It is amazing to be able to give back to a school and program that has been such a huge part of my success. Seeing the collective effort of the team come to fruition as they received All-American honors, it was my proudest moment as a coach.” Team captains Liam Rock, Jenna Piller and Cristina Giannelli were astounded after realizing they had achieved such prestigious accolades. “Before getting to the track we had this quiet confidence about us…once we realized we had won we were in absolute shock and disbelief. It was a great moment knowing that what we had worked for really paid off,” Rock said. “I was really nervous since it was my first time competing at that level. After the race I was happy because we had set the school record and once I heard the announcement that we were All- Americans, I flipped out,” Piller added. The school congratulated the three team members and Andres Echeandia, Oluwatomide Alao, Ikpechukwu Obayi, Isabelle Poptean, Petra Stiglmayer, Sarah Kowpak and coach Lovelace for their accomplishments. Coach Kawan Lovelace and the newly crowned All-Americans
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