Girls Athlete of the Week: Catalina Foothills 4x800m

<h3 style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family:lucida sans unicode,lucida grande,sans-serif;">To Highlight Exceptional Performances and Hard Work from Arizona Prep Track and Cross Country Athletes</span></h3>


The Falcon harriers raced to victory at the Hal Anders Invitational on Saturday, hitting the Division 2 auto qualifying time in the process. Arizona Milesplit Photo.

Sarah Lansey, Katie Watson, Mari Bangoura, and Richelle Sandin have been selected as this week's girl's athlete(s) of the week for winning the Hal Anders Invitational and auto qualifying for state.

Normally when a school wins the state 4x800m the previous year, 3 out of the top 5 from that relay are underclassmen, and proceeds to win cross country the previous fall one would expect them to be a 4x800m favorite in the spring. Problem was the narrative didn't exactly go as planned for the harriers from Catalina Foothills. First, the defending Division 2 state champion and unquestioned 4x800m fast leg, Katie Izzo, relocated to California. Then the Falcons top girl from cross country, Richelle Sandin, spent the entire winter sidelined with illness and injury. In fact, she just started to train 2 weeks ago.

Despite having circumstances that didn't go exactly to plan, the girls are confident in where they are headed. “Even though we lost a lot, we are talented and have depth," explained senior Sarah Lansey, “We are going to keep on dropping time and find a good finish." When you have two teammates that are brand new to the 800m, there is often greater room for improvement. Richelle is not only is just getting back into shape from being out since October but this is in her first season of high school track. Sophomore Mari Bangoura had never even run an 800m until the Scottsdale distance classic when she clocked a 2:31. Despite being unseasoned, they have come together, “I am grateful for my teammates, I feel like this year has really prepared us" elucidated Richelle. If the upperclassmen can help bring the underclassmen along this team look for this team come may. Sarah declared, “We are gunning for the state title, we know we are capable of it."

Despite the lofty expectations that might accompany being defending state champion may bring, the girls don't dwell on the pressure. “We have nothing to lose," exclaimed junior Katie Watson, “There are no shoes to full, just another fun year!" Track should be just that fun. Best of luck to these girls and all the division 2 4x800m. So far, only Catalina Foothills (10:04), Queen Creek (10:09) and Verrado (9:47) have auto qualified, though Vista Grande High School is knocking on the door (10:11).