Despite schedule adjustments stemming from the coronavirus pandemic, Catholic high schools in the diocese still managed to find success during the recently concluded winter sports season.
No state-championship tournaments took place this winter due to safety concerns, and some high-school sports began their seasons late and had to complete sectional playoffs within an abbreviated time period and with limited tournament fields. In the case of Section 4, where Elmira Notre Dame is located, all sectionals were cancelled completely.
Even so, many noteworthy accomplishments emerged from the season. Among them are the following:
• McQuaid Jesuit boys’ track won the Section 5 Class A1 championship held March 4. The Knights amassed 100 points, easily outdistancing second-place Irondequoit’s total of 59. The team victory was highlighted by first-place finishes in three events: Carson Larry in the 300-meter run, Nick Wood in the 55 hurdles and the 1,600 relay.
• McQuaid skiing earned a sectional title as well, capturing the Section 5 Class A giant slalom in Alpine competition held Feb. 9. McQuaid scored 21 team points to edge out Canandaigua (22) and Pittsford (26) for first place. The Knights were led by Sawyer Duserick, who took third place individually.
• Bishop Kearney girls’ basketball was stopped just short of a Section 5 Class AA title. The Kings, seeded No. 1 in Section 5 Class AA, won 63-55 over No. 8 Victor in quarterfinal action March 8 and went on to a 60-55 semifinal win over No. 4 Webster Schroeder March 10. BK was halted in the March 12 championship contest by No. 6 Penfield, 54-51, finishing its season with a 9-1 record.
• Elmira Notre Dame girls’ basketball ended up with an 8-1 record despite not having sectionals. With a 73-28 win over Spencer-Van Etten on March 4, the Crusaders closed out their year on an eight-game winning streak.
• In boys’ bowling, Re’Shaun Beason of Bishop Kearney/Rochester Prep had the high series of 1,426 at the Section 5 Class C tournament Feb. 26. He also posted the second-high game of 266.
• In boys’ track, Bishop Kearney’s Jahlique Johnson won the 55-meter dash at the Section 5 Class A3 championships March 5.
• In girls’ track, Our Lady of Mercy won five events to place second in team scoring at the Section 5 Class A1 meet March 4. Winners for the Monarchs were Shannon Trevor in the 1,000- and 1,500-meter runs, Emma Spagnola in the 3,000, and the 1,600 and 3,200 relays.
• Also in girls’ track, Aquinas Institute’s 800-meter relay captured first place at the Section 5 Class A2 championship meet March 7.
Tags: Catholic Schools, Sports
