Boys: DA 120, Cushing 13
Girls: DA 121, Cushing 11
Boys Track & Field
In the last meet of the abbreviated 2021 season, Deerfield’s Boys Track & Field team hosted Cushing Academy on Saturday, May 15. Conditions were calm and warm, ideal for season-ending peak performances, and Deerfield’s athletes delivered.
Deerfield had a season-high 35 athletes (90% of the team roster!) compete in the meet, with most competing in multiple events. Three performances from first-time competitors brought to 39/40 the number of athletes on the roster who competed for Deerfield at least once during the season. The coaching staff and the team alike are proud of that number, and it is an achievement that speaks to the commitment of our athletes.
Cushing Academy arrived with a dozen athletes — a small but dedicated group who gave strong competition in the events which they entered. Nevertheless, the outsized advantage in depth allowed Deerfield to put together a 120-13 final score. Sportsmanship on both sides was a strength, and each team cheered the other off the infield a the conclusion of the meet.
Standout performances included a new school record time of 22.106 in the 200 Meters, run by Elic Ayomanor ’22, a personal best 4:24 from Thomas Lyons ’21 in the 1500 Meters, and a Deerfield All-Time Top 5 8:58.57 from Quinn Hampson ’22 in the 3000 Meters. Deerfield athletes won the majority or totality of points fourteen of sixteen contested events, including both relay events.
Deerfield also honored the announcing career of Nils Ahbel, and bid farewell to eleven senior athletes: Nikhil Barnes, Nasir Barnes, Herman Bikoko, Chip Coffin, Donnie Gray, Grant Jones, Daniel Kang, Sultan Lawal, Charlie Lewis, Thomas Lyons, and Quinton Stevens. We wish them all further Track & Field meets in their future lives!
We look forward to carrying this year’s momentum forward into the 2022 season, where the promise of a NEPSTA Championship Meet awaits, following two uncontested seasons.
Girls Track & Field
To close out our short but unforgettable season, Cushing came to Deerfield’s campus this past Saturday. Although they did not have many athletes, Cushing pushed our team and many of our DA’s athletes PRed to finish their season.
On the track, we saw true commitment from our athletes and a passion to compete. We were able to compete with three 4×100 relay teams and two 4×400 relay teams, which shows how many students want to compete with their teammates. It was an exciting finish in the 100-meter race as Simi Lawal eked past the first place Cushing athlete and won by 4 hundredths of a second. Grace Rusell PRed and placed first in the 800m race. Ali Thomas also PRed and made the top 20 for Deerfield Academy in the 3000m race with a time of 11:10. On the field, Jazz Baker and Janie Doyle had some of their best throws in the discus and shotput to help put points on the board for Deerfield. It was the last meet for our seniors, Georgia Barnes, Khalyse Benjamin, Janie Doyle, Annie Gouchee, Jaxon Palmer, Grace Russell, Ali Thomas, and Eleanor Wenners.
With a score of 121 to 11, Deerfield finished the season with a victory. Deerfield and Cushing both shined with wonderful comradery and sportsmanship. It was a great way to end the season and we now look on to the 2022 season next year!