Sleepy Hollow Spring Track Preview: Youth Movement Bodes Well For Lady Horsemen

With the return of a revived Katherine Doyle, a slew of sprinters that helped Sleepy Hollow register its presence on the sectional scale this winter, the Sleepy Hollow spring track program enters the 2011 campaign with plenty of buzz.

Doyle, who earned a trip to the New York State championship in cross-country, was nicked up with an injury during the winter season. She was forced to shut it down early in the season and she's returned to her All-Section form.

The inevitable wear and tear of running around the clock hampered the precocious long distance standout, who will be utilized in the steeplechase and multiple long distance events.

While Doyle's return bolsters Sleepy Hollow in the middle/long distance department, Gillian Berger looks to prolong her success in the sprinting events.  Berger's high-end speed placed her among the elite in Westchester County this winter.

The junior captured a Section I championship in the 55-meter dash, clocking a time of 7.3 seconds at the famed Armory Track in Harlem.

She finished fourth at the New York State qualifier meet, just a slim tenths of a second short of a berth in the state championships to culminate her breakout season.  

Berger also played the role of anchor on the Headless Horsemen's 4x200 relay team that brought home a Section I championship.

The quartet of Gabrielle Maldonado, Gabrielle Cellante, Marianna Tolentino and Berger busted out a scintillating time of 1:47. They shattered the 1:50 mark,  which was etched in stone as the targeted water mark they needed to break in order for a title to be attainable.

Though the same relay team will not be carried over to the spring, a new crop of sprinters will be called upon to fill crucial gaps.  

"Katherine Doyle and Gillian Berger have both reaped the rewards of consistent hard work," said Sleepy Hollow girls coach Lisa King.  

"They both have an impressive, stellar work ethic and they've also surfaced as leaders for us. Both athletes lead by action and in practice. From what I've seen, all of our athletes are motivated and determined to succeed. We have a youth-laden team this season, a lot of newcomers who are looking to make an impact. I foresee a strong season, I really do." 

Doyle's primary focus will be the Steeplechase. The endurance-testing event, which includes a water pit and various obstacles, is nothing new to Doyle.

She earned a championship as a sophomore in the event, hitting 7:25.67 in the 2,000-meter steeplechase.  

A versatile junior with a high engine, Doyle will also compete in the 1,500-meter and 3,000-meter race and shift to the shorter distance of the 800 and 4x800 events.

"Katherine can really be placed in anything from the 800 and up," explained King.

"She'll compete in a variety of events depending on the meet. This year, we really have a lot of new athletes who will place in these events. They are all highly competitive and I'm expecting them to make an immediate impact."  

The aforementioned Maldonado will be an essential ingredient for the Horsemen. Maldonado has enhanced her image with her success in the winter and emerged as one of the area's top young sprinters. 

"Gabrielle Maldonado as improved by leaps and bounds," said King.

"She's really blossomed and much of her success is due to how hard she works and how much she's pushed herself to improve and lead. We have a very young team but our athletes have a good deal of experience."

Daniella Carissimo, a top-tier swimmer and key cog for Sleepy Hollow's basketball team, is expected to play a significant role. Carissimo, another sophomore, will be featured in the steeplechase, 4x800, and 100-meter hurdles. She returns following a freshman season in which she showed promise.  

King said the team does not have a deficiency in the depth department, though the first few meets would be a test of their balance. The Horsemen compete in a league that includes familiar foes such as Westlake, Croton, and Briarcliff.