McNamara's Alexis Stroman stars, but Elizabeth Seton takes WCAC girls' title

May 17, 2010

Elizabeth Seton High School


Through pain and exhaustion at the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference championships at Good Counsel, Stroman cracked a wan smile. The Bishop McNamara junior won three events, scored in another and was named the most valuable female performer of the two-day meet in Olney.

"This meet I feel has been my best meet all season," Stroman said through heavy breathing.

Behind senior Ambrosia Iwugo, Elizabeth Seton captured its fourth straight WCAC girls' title over Bishop McNamara and Good Counsel. Gonzaga, led by boys' most valuable performer Stacy Robinson, won its third straight boys' title over Good Counsel and DeMatha.

Stroman, who was on the track for the first and last events on Saturday, won the 100-meter hurdles in 14.67 seconds. She began pulling away at the fourth hurdle, but Good Counsel junior Teju Adewole closed late. Stroman clipped the final hurdle, which slowed her down a tad, but still held off the field and crossed the line in a personal-best time.

She was the favorite in the 300 hurdles and there were no surprises. Stroman won by nearly two seconds in 45.81. She was third in the 100 (12.60) behind Elizabeth Seton's Chelsie Stevens and Briana Young.

Before she took the track for the 4x400, Stroman was dry heaving over a garbage can. Moments later, she was helping to pace the Mustangs to victory. Paulette Fogle, Stroman, Leia Conrad and Shanelle Debreaux brought the baton around in 4:06.31.

"I had to do it for the team," Stroman said.

Iwugo was also a multiple winner. She went head-to-head with Carroll sophomore Kiah Seymour in two highly anticipated matchups and prevailed both times, winning the 400 in 55.27 and the 200 in 24.89. Seymour was runner-up in both races.

Iwugo also anchored Elizabeth Seton's 4x200 relay team that won in 1:41.92.

For a Gonzaga team already rich with talent, Robinson was a gem. He won the boys' 300 hurdles (38.28), triple jump (44 feet 7.5 inches) and long jump (21-0.5) and was fifth in the 100 (11.19). Senior teammate Billy Ledder won an exciting 1,600 over Good Counsel's Kyle Graves in 4:19.28 before taking the 800 in 1:54.18.

To continue reading this article, please visit the Washington Post at:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/05/15/AR2010051503222.html