Crusaders Continue To Grow In Track And Field

What they lacked in the number of student athletes on the roster, the Wildwood Catholic High School track and field program made up for with grit, determination, the willingness to improve and the ability to work together.
The results were indeed promising for the Crusaders this past season.
“We had our best efforts at the Cape May County Championships, where the team posted season or personal bests in nearly all our events,’’ Wildwood Catholic head coach Michael Scythes said. “This carried through to the South Jersey Sectional where we saw solid performances resulting in one champion, Joelle Osborne in the 400 meter hurdles and qualifiers in 11 other events advancing to the State Group Championships
“As a group our senior class set an outstanding example for the team. The sense of responsibility, their strength of character and the work ethic they displayed in training was present on a daily basis throughout the season.’’
A number of competitors showed continual progress in their chosen events for Wildwood Catholic.
“We are looking forward to continuing success from Alyia Gray-Rivera, who switched to the 400 meter hurdles and medaled in the Sectional meet and also improved in the long jump,’’ Scythes said. “In addition we are hoping for continued improvement from a number of first year members, including Samantha Andress, Gwen Orlowicz, Xiomara Walker, Delaney Robb and Roan Jacqueline.
“In addition we had a number of novice track athletes who took on challenges in events the coaching staff suggested would suit them and were pleased they embraced the challenge of testing themselves outside their comfort levels to find they could succeed. Seeing them grow in confidence and develop trust in their abilities is really the core goal of all our efforts.’’
The Crusaders will look to continue to grow as a team in the near and distant future. 
“We had the largest girls team in our tenure as coaches this past season,’’ Scythes said. “They showed great promise in a number of events. If this trend continues and they can find the focus and commitment to be the best athletes they are capable of being this group of girls could rewrite the school record board in a number of events.
“One school record was set this season. The girls 4 by 400 meter relay (Gwen Orlowicz, Alyia Gray-Rivera, Xiomara Walker and Joelle Osborne) set a new mark of 4:17.12 breaking the old record set in 2009.’’