By S. Quinn DeJoy and J. Murrer

May 4, 2016:  The Penn Relay Carnival was initiated in 1895 and is currently the longest uninterrupted collegiate track meet in the country. Until 1962, when the first women's event was introduced, the meet featured only men. Several women's events were subsequently added until 1978, when the carnival added multiple women's events, expanding the carnival from two to three days. Coach Jim Mitchell showed up in 1981 with his first relay team and has continued to bring Broncos teams to the event ever since.

Last week, the Bronco girls' relay teams competed against some of the best high schools in the country. The 4x800m relay team, senior Hilary Rizzo, junior Kaitlin Ryan, and sophomores Olivia Scotti and Laura Holland, ran in 9:17.93, finishing third for small schools and qualifying for the High School Girls' 4x800m Championship of America race.

The championship 4x800m race included both small and large schools, and the Bronco girls finished eighth in 9:12.72. It was the fastest time ever run by a Bronxville team at the Penn Relays and the third fastest time in New York this year.

Although the weather was not ideal, it did not hinder the girls' performances. It was an exciting meet, with teams from across the entire country, and also included athletes from the Caribbean islands.

"Just about every college east of the Mississippi was present, and many from the West Coast," said Mitchell. "It was cold and wet but still the greatest track meet in the country."

See the complete results below.

Small Schools 4x800 Meter Relay
Hilary Rizzo                2:17.84
Olivia Scotti                2:23.22
Laura Holland             2:23.29
Kaitlin Ryan                2:13.58

9:17.93, 3rd place 

Girls' Championship of America 4x800 Meter Relay
Hilary Rizzo                2:19.03
Olivia Scotti                2:20.43
Laura Holland             2:20.20
Kaitlin Ryan                2:13.06 

9:12.72, 8th place 

4x400 Meter Relay
Kirsten Ircha, Caroline Brashear, Laura Holland, Kaitlin Ryan
4:05.58, 6th place 

4x100 Meter Relay
Margot Richards, Caroline DePaul, Alisa Fominykh, Sophie Kohlhoff
52.14, 125th place out of 389 schools 

Girls' Lacrosse 

The girls' lacrosse team had a 17-3 victory over White Plains last Friday but dropped its second game of the season to top-ranked Yorktown, 12-7, on Monday. Yorktown scored seven in the first half and held the Bronxville offense to just one goal. Early in the second half, Bronxville's Olivia Jensen, Allie Berkery, and Ellie Walsh each scored, narrowing the lead to 7-4, but Yorktown came back with three quick goals, making it too much for the Broncos to overcome. The Bronxville girls have a tough schedule coming up. They face Class A Scarsdale (10-2) on Friday and Class B Somers (13-0) on May 14. Scarsdale is ranked seventh in the state and Somers is ranked fourth.

Boys' Lacrosse

The Bronco boys' lacrosse team had a decisive 13-1 victory over Irvington (9-4) last week but lost 10-5 to the top-ranked New Jersey team, Bridgewater-Raritan (10-0), on Saturday. There are two games left in the regular season, one against Mahopac (5-6) on May 6 and the final game against Rye (8-3) on May 12.

Boys' Golf

With victories against Blind Brook and Edgemont last week, the boys' golf team improved its record to 10-0. They were rained out against Clarkstown South yesterday, but, weather permitting, will face Pelham today.

Go Broncos. 

Pictured here (rotating):  The 4x800m relay team; Coach Mitchell and the Broncos in the stands; Franklin Field at the University of Pennsylvania; Bronco Kirsten Ircha in the 4x100m relay.

Photos by Jane Ircha, Jane Scotti, and Stephen Ircha