May 17, 2018 Bulldog Sports Round-up
- Published: May 17, 2018
Track
Peaking for optimal performances as the season draws to a close, the Bulldogs performed admirably at the annual MBC League Meet that took place at Cedarville University. The girls team finished as runner-up for the second year in a row with an eight-point deficit to league champion Emmanuel Christian while the injury-plagued and youthful boys team finished in seventh place.
The girls team was led by ninth-grader Annlyn Foster, who ran to three first-place finishes and a third-place finish. Annlyn completed the hurdle double winning both the 100 and 300 hurdles. She also teamed up with teammates Haneefah Jones, Ayanna Madison and Amani Wagner as the newly formed relay group won the 400-meter relay. Amani Wagner continued her dominance in the shot put by earning a first-place medal in that category and finished runner up in the discus. Not to be outdone, junior Jude Meekin circled the oval for eight laps in the hot weather, winning the 3,200-meter race. Jude also vaulted to a second place in the pole vault and senior Jasmine Davidson hurled the shot put far enough for runner-up honors.
Haneefah Jones coupled her first place in the 400-relay with third-place performances in the high jump and long jump, along with sixth place in the 200 meters. Sophomore Olivia Mitchell placed fourth in the discus and sophomore Lydia Fleetham earned a hard-fought sixth place in the 100 hurdles.
On the boys’ side, the all-ninth-grade 400-meter relay team of Finn Bledsoe, Kaden Bryan, Ibi Chappelle and Liam Hackett surprised the field by finishing in second place with their fastest time of the year. Ibi also ran a season best time in the 200 meters with a second-place effort, third place in the 100 meters and a fourth place in the long jump. The 4 x 800 meter team of Raven Campbell, Jakob Lara-Woodburn, Jay Millman and Zach Lugo ran to a fourth place with Lugo earning fifth place in the 3,200-meter race. Finally, sixth-place efforts were achieved by Griffin Roberts (300 hurdles) and Kaden Bryan (long jump). Season best performances by Phillip Diamond, Harper Mesure, Gideon Naziri and Michael Vickers rounded out the day.
The Bulldogs will compete in the District Meet on Tuesday and Thursday at Milton Union High School in West Milton. This is the first time in over 40 years that the district meet is not taking place at Welcome Stadium in Dayton.
Softball
Senior Gracie Price made her first start of the year on the pitching mound and the Yellow Springs softball team roared out to a 10–3 lead after four innings behind a triple and two RBIs by Price and two base hits by Brielle Willis but the Middletown Christian bats came alive in the fifth inning to tie the score and then they went on to defeat the Bulldogs by a final score of 20–10. It was the last game of the season for the Bulldogs.
According to Coach Jim, “I started Price at pitcher because I knew she could throw strikes and I knew she could keep Middletown Christian off balance at the plate. She did an outstanding job until she got tired in the fifth inning. She had Middletown Christian worried.”
The Bulldogs jumped out to an 8–2 lead after two innings and still led 10–3 after four innings when Middletown made their comeback.
Offensive stars for Yellow Springs were Gracie Price, who unleashed a triple and was on base three times, scored three runs and knocked in two runs; third baseman Brielle Willis, who was two-for-three with two runs scored, four stolen bases, and an RBI. Lead-off hitter Kadie Lafferty scored two runs for the Bulldogs and Kallyn Buckenmyer and Kelsie Lemons each scored a run for the Bulldogs.
“I knew before the season started that this team would produce runs,” said Coach Jim. “Our team averaged 12 runs a game in MBC league play so we competed every league game. We definitely had some exciting moments on offense this season”.
Baseball
The boys wrapped up the season on Wednesday against Tri-Village in postseason play. The higher-seeded Tri-Village defeated the Bulldogs by a score of 14–2. Highlights for the Bulldogs came from Donnie Isenbarger and Dylan Rainey, who scored for the Bulldogs. The boys finished their season 2–15 overall, with a 1–9 record in conference. Senior Donnie “Baseball” Isenbarger made First Team All Conference and Dylan Rainey made Second Team All Conference.
The Bulldogs’ struggles were reflected in their record, but many on the team feel that this team failed to live up to its potential. Talent up and down the roster did not come together. However, the team had a blast and next year’s team looks promising.
Isenbarger also signed to play baseball at Clark College in Vancouver, Wash.
The Sports Award Banquet is Thursday, May 17, 7 p.m., in the YSHS gym.
The Yellow Springs News encourages respectful discussion of this article.
You must login to post a comment.
Don't have a login? Register for a free YSNews.com account.
No comments yet for this article.