2008 Woodie Awards
Women's track: Bringing home the gold
Aaron Blatch, Sports Reporter
Issue date: 3/6/08 Section: Sports
When Youngstown State junior high jumper Jen Grayson stepped to the pit at the Horizon League Indoor Track and Field Championship on Sunday she felt something that she hadn't felt all year. Nerves. Showing the resiliency that head coach Brian Gorby says defines his team, Grayson was able to brush off those nerves and win the high jump, helping the women's team to its first indoor conference title since 2005.
"When I knew that I had won I felt like a relief was pulled off of me because I knew that we'd need the points," Grayson said.
The Penguins needed all the points that they could get, as they were challenged by a talented Milwaukee squad. After falling behind on Saturday, the first day of the meet, YSU was able to rally back for a 170-159 win behind strong performances from seniors and underclassmen alike.
The team was led by another MVP performance from senior thrower Bethany Anderson. Anderson won the weight throw for the third consecutive year and placed fourth in the shot put, earning her second straight Field Performer of the Meet honor.
Fellow senior Yandeh Joh won the pentathlon, sophomore Alisha Anthony won the long jump and placed third in the triple jump and a pair of talented freshmen racked up Newcomer of the Year honors for their respective events.
Thrower Danielle Curry was the only freshman at the meet to win an individual event, moving from fourth place to first on her last throw in the shot put with a toss of 44-4. Sprinter Breanne Romeo also took home individual honors by placing second in the 400m, seventh in the 200m and playing a key role in the team's second-place 4x400 meter relay team.
Gorby was pleased with his team's effort in holding off Milwaukee.
"Right now we're excited and extremely happy to get this championship," he said. "It took a lot because Milwaukee is a strong team. Every time we lock horns with them it seems like it comes down to the last meet."
Maybe the most impressive aspect of the Penguins' title is the depth they demonstrated up and down the roster. Gorby said that while some teams have a few dominant athletes, his team put together "a true team performance" to get the win.
"When I knew that I had won I felt like a relief was pulled off of me because I knew that we'd need the points," Grayson said.
The Penguins needed all the points that they could get, as they were challenged by a talented Milwaukee squad. After falling behind on Saturday, the first day of the meet, YSU was able to rally back for a 170-159 win behind strong performances from seniors and underclassmen alike.
The team was led by another MVP performance from senior thrower Bethany Anderson. Anderson won the weight throw for the third consecutive year and placed fourth in the shot put, earning her second straight Field Performer of the Meet honor.
Fellow senior Yandeh Joh won the pentathlon, sophomore Alisha Anthony won the long jump and placed third in the triple jump and a pair of talented freshmen racked up Newcomer of the Year honors for their respective events.
Thrower Danielle Curry was the only freshman at the meet to win an individual event, moving from fourth place to first on her last throw in the shot put with a toss of 44-4. Sprinter Breanne Romeo also took home individual honors by placing second in the 400m, seventh in the 200m and playing a key role in the team's second-place 4x400 meter relay team.
Gorby was pleased with his team's effort in holding off Milwaukee.
"Right now we're excited and extremely happy to get this championship," he said. "It took a lot because Milwaukee is a strong team. Every time we lock horns with them it seems like it comes down to the last meet."
Maybe the most impressive aspect of the Penguins' title is the depth they demonstrated up and down the roster. Gorby said that while some teams have a few dominant athletes, his team put together "a true team performance" to get the win.
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