Westchester-Putnam girls track: State medalists Crisp and Donovan share top award

Elisa Crisp and Haylie Donovan both pray at the starting line. Donovan even puts holy water on her legs before her races.

Doing so increases the feeling God is with her when she runs, although there's also a luck component to it, too.

It's obvious both athletes have seen many of their prayers answered.

Whether that's from divine intervention or from natural talent, combined with hard work, might be up for debate.

But there's no debating that Crisp, a New Rochelle eighth-grader, and Donovan, a Somers junior, are gifted runners.

And the two, who both medaled in two events at the state track and field championships in June, are co-winners of The Journal News/lohud Girls Westchester/Putnam Outdoor Track Athlete of the Year award.

Elisa Crisp doesn't run like your average eighth-grader

While Donovan had the slightly faster time this spring at 100 meters (12.12 to 12.15), it was Crisp who medaled at the state championships in that event, finishing fifth in Division 1 (large public schools).

Crisp also edged Donovan at 200 meters at the Westchester County championships and in both the Division 1 and Federation (all schools of all sizes) state championships with Crisp getting third and Donovan fourth in D-1 and then Crisp taking second and Donovan third in the Fed.

For the season, Crisp's personal-best time at the distance was 24.61, a hair better than Donovan's 24.86.

Crisp, who started competing in track in a city parks-run program, has accomplished a lot already for someone who's only 14 years old.

She played a season of basketball in elementary school and one of volleyball in middle school, but neither compared to either the fun or success she has found running.

"I feel like I get a lot of support in track and it gives me a lot more opportunities and more enjoyment than any other sport could," Crisp explained.

She noted watching her brother, Jaden, once a New Rochelle jumper and sprinter (Class of 2020), in a couple of meets fueled her desire to train and compete.

"It really pushed me to keep running more," she said. "He was like my motivation."

Among female eighth-graders this spring, Crisp tied for sixth at 200 meters and was ninth best at 100 meters.

To clafify, that's in the whole country.

Crisp is a greater fan of the 200, liking, in part, its more forgiving nature. If she doesn't get off to a great start at the gun, there's much more opportunity to make up for that than in the 100.

Retiring New Rochelle coach Andy Capellan, who immediately recognized Crisp's potential when seeing her run on the modified (middle school) team last year, offered Crisp invaluale advice when she started running on his varsity team this past winter.

"Cap says, 'Stay calm and execute" and not to be intimidated by anybody else. 'Know what you can do,' " Crisp related.

The youngster, whose pre-race rituals not only include prayer but also wearing her cherished purple (New Rochelle's team color) Crocs and a hoodie, believes there's a lot more she'll be able to do.

"Ultimately, my goal is to make it to the Olympics. But if college comes first, college comes first," she said.

Donovan medals in 200 and 400 at states

Donovan is a few years closer to a post-high school track future.

She's attracting collegiate attention not just for her 100- and 200-meter times, but also for a versatility that has allowed her to also excel at 400 meters.

Donovan ran the sixth fastest tme in the state among girls at that distance this spring, 55.82.

Moreover, she, like Crisp, medaled at two distances at the state championships.

In the 400, she clocked 57.18 for second place in D-1 public, then cut that time to 56.3 for third place in the Federation.

At one point, her speed and endurance served her well in soccer.

But the sport's culture was different from track, which Donovan says has "less toxic energy."

"Soccer wasn't making me happy anymore," said Donovan, who stopped playing after her freshman year. "(In soccer,) everyone wants the coach's attention. In track, everybody is looking for a PR (personal record). Everyone wants to win but, really, everyone wants to PR."

She has been doing a lot of that, improving through both the high school coaching and club-team coaching she receives.

She runs for Sports Performance Club and went to the Bahamas in May as part of its 4x100 relay.

She returned with a U20 World Athletics Relays silver medal and added confidence that showed up in her times.

In a two-week span in May, Donovan set three personal-best marks in the 400, medaling at the Loucks Games before winning the Westchester County and Section 1 Class B titles.

"The best part of spring is the hard work really paid off," Donovan said.

Donovan competed in June with her club team at the NYC Grand Prix. There, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone (who on Sunday night broke her own women's 400-meter hurdles world record at the U.S. Olympic Trials) autographed and gave Donovan her racing bib. Men's world 200- and 400-meter record-holder Wayde van Niekerk also signed and gave her one of his track shoes And McLaughlin-Levrone's husband, Andre Levrone, a former NFL player, offered her "words of motivation."

That was appreciated, although Donovan, one of two children and the only runner in her family, has never really lacked motivation.

The 17-year-old, who always finds running to be an antidote for a bad day and who meditates the night before and morning of meets, imagining all "bad-thought-energy" leaving, will start college visits this summer, looking in part for the right track program.

"I definitely want to really progress," Donovan said. "I want to go somewhere and get better. I want to go far in track and have coaches who believe in me through the ups and downs."

"I'm very dedicated and a hard worker. I do what I need to do to achieve my goals."

Donovan was glued to watching the recent Olympic Trials, which included five former local standout high school athletes.

In four or more years, that number might grow.

"I want to be there someday," Donovan said. ... "I know I'm capable of a lot."

Coach of the Year

Andy Capellan, New Rochelle: Probably no one wants to see Capellan fold up his lawn chair for the last time and take off his purple New Rochelle jacket and ball cap after 44 years of coaching except Capellan. But if he's determined to leave, what a way to exit. A fixture in Section 1 track, the Hall of Fame coach led his young team to the Westchester County girls team championship, topping 28 other teams that scored. His squad also finished second out of 12 squads to North Rockland at the Section 1 Class AA championships. It speaks volumes that Capellan, whose program slipped a little in the wake of COVID-19, waited until he'd built it back up before exiting. Class and commitment have always been hallmarks of his coaching.

100

Second team — Sarai Sealy, Sr., Ursuline

Honorable mention — Mioko Martin, So., Ardsley; Lindsay Tellez, Sr., Hen Hud

100 hurdles

First team — Elena Olson, Sr., Ursuline

Second team — Ivana Richards, Jr., Ursuline

Honorable mention — Gabrielle Barnett, Sr., New Rochelle: Emmanuella Mathieu, So., Mount Vernon; Alivia Smith, Fr., New Rochelle; Juliet Winiecki, Jr., Bronxville

200

Honorable mention — Mioko Martin, So., Ardsley; Payton Richardson, 8th grade, Rye Country Day; Lindsay Tellez, Sr., Hen Hud

400

Second team — Shannon Kelly, Sr., Scarsdale

Honorable mention — Maria Roberts, So., Scarsdale; Valentina Wallin, Jr., New Rochelle

400 hurdles

First team — Alexis Smith, Fr., New Rochelle

Second team — Ivana Richards, Jr., Ursuline; Juliet Winiecki, Jr., Bronxville

Honorable mention — Elena Olson, Sr., Ursuline

800

First team — Shannon Kelly, Sr., Scarsdale; Ava Pennachio, Jr., Eastchester

Second team — Zoe Dichter, Jr., Scarsdale

Honorable mention — Leia Patel, So., Scarsdale; Olivia Solomon, 8th grade, New Rochelle

1,500

First team — Shannon Kelly, Sr., Scarsdale

Second team — Eva Muzichenko, So., Eastchester; Ava Pennachio, Jr., Eastchester

Honorable mention — Zoe Dichter, Jr., Scarsdale; Julia Duzynski, So., Somers; Ainara Schube Barriola, Jr., Rye Neck;

1,500 racewalk

First team — Julia Beckman, Sr., White Plains

Second team — Chloe Howard, So, Hen Hud

Honorable mention — Jennifer Oliveros-Valeria, Sr., New Rochelle

3,000

First team — Caitlin Thomas, Jr., Hastings

Second team — Ainara Schube Barriola, Jr., Rye Neck

Honorable mention — Ariel Esposito, Sr., New Rochelle; Isabella Fryer, Sr., North Salem; Clara Shingler, So., Pleasantville

2,000 steeplechase

First team — Caitlin Thomas, Jr., Hastings

Second team — Julia Duzynski, So., Somers

Honorable mention — JPhoebe Carmel, Jr., Rye Neck; Jess Masterson, Sr., Somers; Rachel Rakower, So., Scarsdale; Mia Sandolo, Jr., Somers;

High jump

First team — Gabrielle An, Jr., Ardsley

Second team — Erin Ball, Jr., Rye

Honorable mention — Phoebe Gauld, Fr., Eastchester; Eva Gibney, Jr., Scarsdale; Samina Quli, Jr., Rye Neck; Cat Tucker, Sr., Rye Country Day

Long jump

First team — Mioko Martin, So.., Ardsley; Sarai Sealy, Sr., Ursuline

Second team — Jocelyn Rice, Fr., Rye Country Day

Honorable mention — Erin Ball, Jr., Rye; Phoebe Gauld, Fr., Eastchester; Ryann Joseph, Fr., New Rochelle; Alexis Smith, Fr., New Rochelle; Juliet Winiecki, Jr., Bronxville

Triple jump

First team — Sarai Sealy, Sr., Ursuline

Second team — Sophia Ochoa, So., New Rochelle

Honorable mention — Alana Myke, Jr., Lakeland/Panas; Niamh O'Donovan, Jr., Ardsley; Ivana Richards, Jr., New Rochelle

Pole vault

First team — Sophia Kumar, So., Edgemont

Second team — Eva Mihova, Fr., Bronxville

Honorable mention — Ashley Nappi, Sr., Fox Lane; Patricia Wiltse, Sr., Fox Lane

Discus

First team — Ryan Singer, Jr., Byram Hills

Second team — Isabella McGuire, Sr., White Plains

Honorable mention — Charlotte Goncalves, Sr., Mount Vernon; Jane Hanson, Jr., Yorktown; Rowan Hillard, Jr. Horace Greeley; Lelianar Osman, So, New Rochelle

Shot put

First team — Isabella McGuire, Sr., White Plains; Danae Morgan, So., Hastings

Second team — Zoe Chavis, Fr., New Rochelle

Honorable mention — Sophia Carpenito, Sr., Ardsley; Olivia Coleman, Jr., Yonkers; Jane Hanson, Jr., Yorktown

Hammer

First team — Hannah Arbid, Jr., Lakeland/Panas; Charlotte Goncalves, Sr., Mount Vernon

Second team — Sienna DeMarinis, Sr., Somers; Ziah Gaines, Sr., Mount Vernon

Honorable mention — Jane Hanson, Jr., Yorktown

Javelin

First team — Stella O'Connell, Sr., Harrison

Second team — Olivia Coleman, Jr., Yonkers

Honorable mention — Freyja Smith, Fr., North Salem; Maggie Yalmokas, Jr., Hackley

Pentathlon

First team — Phoebe Gauld, Fr., Eastchester

Second team — Sophia Casimir, Fr., New Rochelle

Honorable mention — Gabrielle Barnett, Sr., New Rochelle; Isabella Lulaj, Sr., Rye; Colette Ungvary, So, Bronxville

4x100 relay

First team — New Rochelle (Elisa Crisp, 8th grade, Alexis Smith, Fr., Ryann Joseph, Fr., Aliva Smith, Fr.)

Second team — Ursuline (Elena Olson, Sr., Ivana Richards, Jr., Sofia Henao, So., Sarai Sealy, Sr.)

Honorable mention — Yonkers (Amber Soriano, Jr., Gabrielle Rowe, Sr., Sarah Yizar, Jr., Persia Howard, Sr.)

4x400 relay

First team — Scarsdale (Zoe Dichter, Jr., Leia Patel, So., Ari Sobel, Sr., Shannon Kelly, Sr.)

Second team — New Rochelle (Olivia Solomon, 8th grade, Kassidy Griffith, Fr., Sofia Ochoa, So., Valentina Wallin, So.)

Honorable mention — Bronxville (Juliet Winiecki, Jr., Eva Mihova, Fr., Ella McCalla, Fr., Kara Kochanski, So.), Somers (Haylie, Donovan, Jr., Keira Cleary, Jr., Isabella Milojevic, Sr., Chelsea Lewitt, Sr.)

4x800 relay

First team — Scarsdale (Rachel Rakower, So., Shannon Kelly, Sr., Leia Patel, So., Zoe Dichter, Jr.)

Second team — Bronxville (Caitlin Paisley, Emerson Dennis, Kara Kochansky, Finlay Rowan)

Honorable mention — Ursuline (Kyleigh O'Keefe, Fr., Lily Mitchell, Jr., Keira McDonald, Fr., Sofia Henao, So.)

Nancy Haggerty covers cross-country, track & field, field hockey, skiing, girls basketball, girls lacrosse and other sporting events for The Journal News/lohud. Follow her on Twitter at @HaggertyNancy .

This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Westchester-Putnam girls outdoor track: Crisp, Donovan share top award