By S. Quinn DeJoy and J. Murrer

May 20, 2015:  Izzi Mroz crossed the finish line in the 800m leg of the Westchester County Championship pentathlon victorious; Izzi's older sister, Vivian, fresh off a county championship-winning pole vault performance, was there to greet her. 

The Mroz sisters' performances helped the Broncos take second place overall at the Westchester County Championships, which were held at Byram Hills this past Sunday. Athleticism seems to run in the Mroz family. Senior Vivian, who set a new Bronxville School record in the pole vault with a jump of 10’, automatically qualified for states. Freshman Izzi, who ran her first pentathlon at the Somers Invitational three weeks ago and did well in the 100m hurdles, the shot put, the long jump, and the high jump, was set up to win the pentathlon if she placed in the top three in the final event, the 800m. 

"I was hoping my sister would win the pentathlon," said Vivian. "But since it was her first year, I wasn't sure. I watched her in the 800m, and in the last 100m, there was a girl catching her but she just kicked for the win." 

Sophomore Kaitlin Ryan clinched the county title in the 1500m with a time of 4:34.27, just ahead of Ursuline's Anna Flynn. Ryan, who ran a 4:34.08 at the Somers Invitational three weeks ago, is currently ranked number two in New York, and Flynn is ranked number three. 

"Kaitlin's win just missed her New York State leading time in what was the most fantastic race of the day, with Kaitlin and Anna Flynn contesting it to the end," said Coach Jim Mitchell. 

The Broncos, who are well recognized for their middle distance runners, finished second in the 4x800m (Delia Hayes, Hilary Rizzo, Nicola Phillips, and Laura Holland), just behind Mamaroneck. The 4x400m (Caroline Kirby, Kirsten Ircha, Caroline DePaul, and Kaitlin Ryan) also finished in second place. But perhaps the most impressive second-place finish of the day was the 4x100m relay team. Margot Richards, Caroline DePaul, Alisa Fominykh, and Sophie Kohlhoff finished the race in 50.67, just behind Mount Vernon, who won with 49.98. The girls on the 4x100m team had their best time of the season and qualified for states. 

Also finishing second for the Broncos was freshman Caroline Kirby, who missed a first-place finish in the 400m hurdles by just 0.02 seconds. 

Overall, the meet was a great success for the Bronxville girls. Thirty-five high schools from across Westchester competed at counties; Bronxville finished just behind the winner, New Rochelle, and Scarsdale, Harrison, and Mamaroneck finished third, fourth, and fifth, respectively.

The Section 1 Class C Championships will take place on Friday, May 22, at Valhalla High School. 

Go Broncos. 

Pictured here: Westchester County champions Izzi (L) and Vivian Mroz.

Photo by S. Mroz