Naples' Chris White, left, and Jon Castro-Cruz struggled with the last handoff, but the Naples Wildcats still easily won the boys 4x100 relay Saturday, April 29, 2023, at a DODEA-Europe track meet in Pordenone, Italy. (Kent Harris/Stars and Stripes)
PORDENONE, Italy – Heard that saying about the journey being more important than the destination?
That was a bit up for debate Saturday at a DODEA-Europe track meet hosted by Aviano.
The journey to get to the meet itself wasn’t exactly a fun one for Rota. A canceled flight led to a sprint by the Admirals – fortunately, it WAS the school’s track team – at an airport to get on another flight to northern Italy. So the team didn’t arrive until midnight, but still got some food thanks to Aviano athletic director Shawna Haas.
Still, the Admirals weren’t as bright and bushy tailed – and maybe a bit more unkempt – as usual when they arrived for the meet Saturday morning. And they left without anyone setting personal bests or qualifying for the European championships.
“Not exactly as we’d hoped,” coach Carie Sundberg said with a smile. “Food and rest are important apparently. And still no sign of our luggage.”
It was a bit unclear how much sleep other competitors had, though. Thanks to baseball, soccer and softball contests as well this weekend, about 340 students – twice Aviano’s enrollment - slept in classrooms.
The Saints apparently did benefit from home cooking (and sleeping) as a handful met qualifying marks Saturday, bringing the team’s total to 23 bound for the May 19-20 finals in Kaiserslautern, Germany.
“It was all about qualifying a few more today,” coach Chenna Culver said. “We’ve got all our seniors eligible now.”
Aviano's Zach Taylor expands his lead in the boys 800 meters Saturday, April 29, 2023, on his way to victory in the event at Pordenone, Italy. (Kent Harris/Stars and Stripes)
Aviano's Addison Krajicek won the 100- and 300-meter hurdles events Saturday, April 29, 2023, at a meet in Pordenone, Italy. (Kent Harris/Stars and Stripes)
Aviano's Joness LaSalle sends some dirt flying while winning the boys long jump Saturday, April 29, 2023, at a DODEA-Europe track meet in Pordenone, Italy. (Kent Harris/Stars and Stripes)
Naples' Cassidy Santiago tosses the shot put Saturday, April 29, 2023, at a DODEA-Europe meet in Pordenone, Italy. She finished second. (Kent Harris/Stars and Stripes)
Rota's Anna Townsend broke away from the field early and won the 800 meters on Saturday, April 29, 2023, at a DODEA-Europe track meet in Pordenone, Italy. (Kent Harris/Stars and Stripes)
Aviano's Kayla Graney clears 4 feet, 6 inches on the way to winning the high jump competition Saturday, April 29, 2023, at a DODEA-Europe track meet in Pordenone, Italy. (Kent Harris/Stars and Stripes)
Naples' Cameron Collins won the boys 400 on Saturday, April 29, 2023, at a DODEA-Europe track meet in Pordenone, Italy. (Kent Harris/Stars and Stripes)
Aviano’s Alayna Williams won the shot put and also competed in the discus at a DODEA-Europe track meet in Pordenone, Italy on Saturday, April 29, 2023. (Kent Harris/Stars and Stripes)
Aviano's Adin Evans won both the boys 1,600 and 3,200 in convincing fashion Saturday, April 29, 2023, at a DODEA-Europe track meet in Pordenone, Italy. (Kent Harris/Stars and Stripes)
Sigonella's Rickalia Goss swept the girls sprints and also won the long jump Saturday, April 29, 2023, at a DODEA-Europe track meet in Pordenone, Italy. (Kent Harris/Stars and Stripes)
Naples senior Jack Thomas won the shot put and discus Saturday, April 29, 2023, at a DODEA-Europe track meet in Pordenone, Italy. (Kent Harris/Stars and Stripes)
Aviano's Ryleigh Ervin is all alone in winning the girls 1,600 meters Saturday, April 29, 2023, at a DODEA-Europe track meet in Pordenone, Italy. (Kent Harris/Stars and Stripes)
Sigonella's Rickalia Goss flies through the air on the way to winning the long jump Saturday, April 29, 2023, at a DODEA-Europe meet in Pordenone, Italy. Goss also won the 100, 200 and 400. (Kent Harris/Stars and Stripes)
For many of those already qualified, it was more about refining technique than trying to set personal bests.
“Working on my form, striding technique,” said Naples senior Chris White, one of the top sprinters in Europe. “I know where the weakest parts of my races are.”
A year ago, White didn’t make it past the first day of competition at the season-ending championships. That’s motivated him this season.
“I’m ready to show people,” he said, brushing off any thoughts of peaking too early. “I’ll save that for Kaiserslautern.”
White was one of a handful of multiple winners Saturday, capturing first in the 100- and 200-meter sprints and taking part in both the Wildcats winning 4x100 and 4x100 relay teams. Sigonella’s Rickalia Goss won four times as well, taking the 100, 200, 400 and long jump.
Naples’ Jack Thomas won both the discus and shot put. The Saints had double winners in Addison Krajicek (100, 300 hurdles), Adin Evans (1,600 and 3,200) and both the girls’ 4x100 and 4x400 relay teams.
