March Soccer

March soccer did not turn out quite how Emily had planned.  At the end of Tuesday night friendly game, she sustained a contact injury and sprained her medial and lateral ankle ligaments. She was on crutches for five days and in a boot for two weeks and probably pushed it a bit to get back on the field. She was able to play a full game in the NEFC tournament and then, after building confidence with extra training, wall ball and other workouts, she was able to give a much better performance at the last game of the month. Sporting has started off DPL league play at 3-0, which is a nice beginning. The toughest games lie ahead.

A friendly to start off the month.

The only good thing about a winter with no snow is that they got in almost every outdoor practice that was scheduled. 

Weeknight friendly.

Not something we want to do again anytime soon.

She hated being on the bench for games but at least she got to learn real-time game strategy from the best coach around.

On our way to the NEFC Showcase in the pouring rain.

Her first game back was in less than ideal circumstance and she definitely played scared but she got through it.

Last tournament with my besties.

The second tournament game was cancelled because the field was unplayable.

Last tournament with her favorite teammates.

The last game of March was an easy 5-0 win and a great way to regain her confidence after injury.

New Haven @ Westfield State

The New Haven club rugby team played a tournament at Westfield State last weekend. It was pouring rain, but that didn't damper the spirits of Elizabeth or her teammates. Although they dropped the first three games, they won the fourth and fifth, finishing third overall in the tournament. Elizabeth scored two trys, one of them a punishing run of 70 yards. She also played great defense. We are so happy that she's having so much fun playing ruby.

New season, new number. Didn't even realize it was Emily's soccer number.

Winter Odds and Ends

                                     

Indoor Track 2024

Emily's indoor track season was one to remember. Although she missed the first few meets due to family commitments and a soccer showcase, when she finally got the chance to compete, she made it count. In her first race of the season, she qualified for states in the 55m. For two years, she had run the exact same time in the 55, just a few hundredths of a second shy of qualifying, and it was incredibly frustrating for her. This time, she left no doubt, running under 8 seconds. 

At the CCC Championships in early February, she ran a new PR in the 55 and the 4x200 relay team ran 2.5 seconds faster than any relay team she'd ever been on, also qualifying for states. When they got to the Class S State Championship, the relay team was seeded 8th. In order to place, they knew they needed to run fast, and they figured that they needed a little bit of luck - they needed one of the teams seeded ahead of them to make a mistake. As it turned out, they only needed to run fast - and that's what they did, shaving another 2 seconds off their time and placing a shocking 5th at the state meet! It was so exciting!

Emily ended her indoor career with lots of success and hopefully, she will have a great outdoor season as well:

- 55m - PR; 11th fastest time in NWC history and fastest at NWC in five years

- 200m - PR; 5th fastest indoor time in NWC history

- 300m - PR by almost 3 seconds

- 4x200m relay - PR; 9th fastest time in NWC history and fastest at NWC in 6 years

She ran a 7.92 at CCCs, but this was her qualifier.

Besties qualifying for states in the 55m.

4x200 relay is all smiles after qualifying for states at the CCCs

With some of her soccer teammates at the Last Chance meet.

Last time ever racing at Floyd Little. We've spent A LOT of hours here over the last six years.

Class S State Meet

All smiles after medaling.

So incredibly proud of these girls. The parents and coaches were so emotional.

Besties and medal winners.

Emily is the second leg in the relay.