The Lady Dawg’s track and field team of Island Trees has emerged as a true competitor this spring season, giving the team a spark it hasn’t had in some time. The small team of 22 girls has proven that “It’s not the size of the dog in the fight; it’s the size of the fight in the dog.”
The team has a 6-2-league record, but that does justice for this team. This became obvious recently as the girls took second place despite winning eight of 11 running events.
The team is led by captains Emily Cranmer, Danielle Medellin, Theresa Hinshaw and Kelly Schulz (all juniors). The four have shown to be true leaders and role models to the young team both on and off the track. They have created a tight knit team, which has already qualified them for seven events in the county championships coming up at the end of season.
The girls are a versatile group, competing across 10 events. They have placed in the top three in each event during the league meets. Newcomer Alexa Dolgos was moved up to varsity this season, and in her first meet posted a blazing time of 61.9 in the 400-meter dash, placing her amongst the elite 400 runners in the county. The rising star is a huge boost for the already talented group.
Samantha Jones, Amelia Giebel, Danielle Dugan and Jessica Waldron have also proven to be quite valuable as they have all contributed points and motivation for the team. They are all young, with lots of potential. The entire team has only begun to get rolling and in the coming weeks look to further their success at all ends.
Emily Cranmer (Junior): A leader and role model for the young team. Leads in the 100 m (13.3), 200 m (26.9) and long jump (14’ 7”) as well as being part of the 4×400 team. Qualified for Countys running a 7.7 in the 55m this past winter, the long jump 15’ 1” and the 4×200 team.
Kelly Schulz (Junior): Another well-rounded athlete with speed. She competes in the 100 HH (18.9), long jump (14’ 3”), as well as the 4×100 team.
Alexa Dolgos (8th grade): She was moved up to varsity team this season, and started for both the soccer team and now track team, an up-coming star for the team. As a seventh grader she ran a 61.3 in the 400m, and already picked up where she left off running a 61.9 with no competition. This places her in the elite of county class AA 400m (based on trackconference.com). She will be competing in the 400, 4×400, 800, and 200 this season and poses to be a big threat in the coming weeks.
Theresa Hinshaw (Junior): A junior with a lot of talent and speed. Her specialties come in the 400 and the 800 where she has previously run a 63 and 2:37 respectively. She will be a large part of the bulldog’s 4×400 team and will also contribute her talents in the high jump (4’6”).
Danielle Medellin (Junior): An all-around runner, who competes across multiple events. She will be competing in both hurdle events, 400 IH (1:13) and 100 HH (18.2), as well as the 4×400 and 4×100 teams.
