Lady Pirates Work to Track Down Another Title

There is more to see in the dynasty that Coach Dan Doherty has built with his Pearl River girls track and field teams is, but those numbers are impressive. 

The Pirates are aiming for their 27th consecutive outdoor league title after taking a 27th straight indoor league crown. They have also claimed 24 class B titles in the last 28 years along with seven Rockland County championships.

But there is more to the story -- specifically, how Pearl River does it.

“We work hard, I have a great group of girls and it always helps to have a little luck,” Doherty said 

But he also points out that there is a well defined strategy behind the program’s success.

"Our program is traditionally strong in the distance events, while the other events go in cycles," Doherty said.  "We also make sure that we try to fill all the events in any meet.  But it is in the discus, 400 meter hurdles and the steeplechase that we really pay special attention.  Those events call for technique, talent and hard work.  It is there that we spend a little extra time with our girls.”

As in the past, this year’s Lady Pirates have the luxury of great depth throughout their roster as well as strong individual talent.

Senior Margaret Moore set a school long jump record of 18 feet 21/2 inches and also came in seventh in the pentathlon at the state meet.

Juniors Molly Shine and Maria Kohlbrenner are outstanding distance runners.  Shine finished seventh in the nation in the indoor two mile and won the 3000 meter indoor event in Class B and the Rockland County Championships.  Kohlbrenner also appears to be set for another outstanding season.

Doherty also pointed to other team members that he expects to perform well this year, including seniors Katelyn Garvey and Kerry Guerin in the distance events, senior Brianne Lynn in the weights, junior distance runners Caitlin Lardaro and Ceili McMorrow and freshmen Kayla Clohessy and Amanda Moroney in the sprints, hurdles and jumping events.

Another aspect of the long-term success of the Lady Pirates is a feeder system that allows Doherty to find strong replacements each year as the team loses top performers. Hurdler and pole vaulter Christina Ruane, Chelsea Zeig in the weight events and middle distance runner Keeley Bateman are gone from last year's team. Two freshmen who could step up in their place are distance runner Kelly Hayes and Kristin Hanson in the high jump and pole vault. 

Pearl River competes in a league that includes Albertus Magnus, Nanuet, Nyack, Spring Valley and Tappan Zee.  Doherty sees strong competition again this season. 

“Last year Tappan Zee had a strong team and we expect them to be just as tough this year," Doherty said. "I also see Nanuet as a contender.”

Doherty will get a good look at that Nanuet team as they come to Pearl River 3:45 p.m. today.

Doherty also looks to several  key meets on the Lady Pirates schedule --  the Penn Relays at Franklin Field in Philadelphia, PA on April 29 and 30,  where his team usually competes every year, the Rockland County Meet at Clarkstown North on May 19 and 20, and the  Sectionals May 27 at Pearl River.

For Doherty the final part of the winning equation is, “For all the individuals on the team to improve their performances.  We are a young team and need to develop and get better as the season goes on.  When that happens the overall team performance will fall into place.”

2011 PEARL RIVER GIRLS TRACK AND FIELD ROSTER 

SENIORS 

Katelyn Garvey

Kerry Guerin

Brianne Lynn

Margaret Moore 

JUNIORS 

Kathleen Coleman

Maria Kohlbrenner

Caitlin Lardaro

Ned Loughran

Casey McGarvey

Ceili McMorrow

Molly Shine

Kelli VanHouten 

SOPHOMORES 

Emily Davan

Grace Kocubinski

Julie Kuhn

Olivia Lappas

Kristin Lynn

Kristen McAdams

Paige O’Flynn

Amanda Pearson

Juliaane Roth

Dana Santini

Casey Walsh 

FRESHMEN 

Caity Bravo

Emma Burnett

Kayla Clohessy

Maryanne Coleman

Julia Delaney

Brianne Garvey

Emma Haley

Kristin Hanson

Kelly Hayes

Meghan Keetley

Amanda Moroney

Danielle Muchoe

Kaitlin O’Riordan

Courtney Shum

Bridget Sorohan

Johanna Svensson

Patricia Thornton

Sarah Vinci

Jasmine Wechsler

EIGHTH GRADERS 

Katherine Detora

Sandra Wilson

2011 PEARL RIVER TRACK AND FIELD SCHEDULE

DAY

DATE

MEET

SITE

TIME

WEDNESDAY

MAR. 30

TUSKER TWILIGHT

SOMERS

4:30PM

SATURDAY

APR. 02

PIRATE RELAYS

PRHS

9:00AM

TUESDAY

APR. 05

NANUET - SPRING VALLEY

PRHS

4:15PM

SATURDAY

APR. 09

NANUET RELAYS

NANUET

9:00AM

MONDAY

APR. 11

TAPPAN ZEE 

TAPPAN ZEE

4:15PM

FRIDAY

APR. 15

RED RAIDER RELAYS

NORTH ROCKLAND

1:00PM

SATURDAY

APR. 16

RED RAIDER RELAYS

NORTH ROCKLAND

9:00AM

TUESDAY

APR. 26

ALBERTUS

PRHS

4:15PM

THURSDAY

APR. 28

PENN RELAYS

PHILADELPHIA

10:00AM

FRIDAY

APR. 29

PENN RELAYS

PHILADELPHIA

9:00AM

SATURDAY

APR. 30

PENN RELAYS

PHILADELPHIA

9:00AM

SATURDAY

APR. 30

GOLD RUSH

CLARKSTOWN SOUTH

9:00AM

MONDAY

MAY 02

NYACK

NYACK

4:15PM

THURSDAY

MAY 05

NIGHT OF 3200'S

HOLMDEL, NJ

6:00PM

THURSDAY

MAY 05

IRONMAN INVITATIONAL

RAMAPO COLLEGE

4:00PM

FRIDAY

MAY 06

SOMERS INVITATIONAL

SOMERS

4:30PM

SATURDAY

MAY 07

CRUSADER RELAYS

MONROE WOODBURY

8:45AM

MONDAY

MAY 09

LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIPS

TAPPAN ZEE

4:00PM

FRIDAY

MAY 13

FRIENDSHIP GAMES

WARWICK HS

6:00PM

MONDAY

MAY 16

COUNTY F/S CHAMPS

CLARKSTOWN SOUTH

4:15PM

THURSDAY

MAY 19

COUNTY MEET

TBA

5:00PM

FRIDAY

MAY 20

COUNTY MEET 

CLARKSTOWN NORTH

4:00PM

MONDAY

MAY 23

EAST COAST RELAYS

RANDOLPH HS

4:00PM

FRIDAY

MAY 27

SECTIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

PRHS

1:00PM

TUESDAY

MAY 31

FAST TIMES RELAYS

WARWICK HS

6:00PM

THURSDAY

JUNE 02

STATE QUALS

ARLINGTON HS

5:30PM

FRIDAY

JUNE 03

STATE QUALS

WHITE PLAINS HS

5:00PM

SUNDAY

JUNE 05

EASTERNS

IONA PREP

10:00AM

FRIDAY

JUNE 10

STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS

CAL-MUMFORD HS

12:30PM

SATURDAY

JUNE 11

STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS

CAL-MUMFORD HS

10:00AM

FRIDAY

JUNE 17

NATIONALS

GREENSBORO, NC

TBA

SATURDAY

JUNE 18

NATIONALS

GREENSBORO, NC

TBA