CrossFit Athletic Group

Everyone in the Champions Club really needs to give it up for Katie Bromm and Mariah Fielder.

To anyone who is not aware, both Katie and Bubs are members of the Bishop Foley 4x400 meter relay team. Bubs, who has been a softball player her entire life, came out to help the track team this year for the first time ever after star sophomore Mackenzie Horwath got injured. Mariah put her own injury aside to help the team's chances of making it to states by postponing her shoulder surgery until June.

Katie B, another softball player, has been a up and coming star for the track team this season - and definitely our most improved athlete.

At the Regionals tonight, the anticipation was building all meet to see who would take the final spot to go to states (top 2 places advance). It came down between Foley and Southfield Bradford, who was ranked 5 seconds agead of our girls for the number 2 spot. Before the race, I asked Katie whether she wanted to run the 2nd leg or be the anchor instead of Emma. Without hesitation, she replied, "I wanna run anchor", even knowing that she would likely be paired against the girl who beat her in the open 400m.

The race began with Toni Marie (sister of Champions Club part-timer Marian) and Emma running solid opening legs. Mariah, who's previous pr in the 400 was a 1:15, managed to pull out a 1:09 split on the third leg of the relay - handing the baton to Katie for the final lap. Katie started off even with Bradford's top runner and the race was on. She managed to stay right on her hip for about 300 meters running at a blistering pace. Katie finished her anchor leg running a personal best 1:04 split...but couldn't quite hold on as Bradford's runner pulled away in the final meters. We finished in third place and one second away from a third consecutive trip to states.

Even though the loss stings, I don't know if I've ever been more proud of any of our athletes. Bubs, you are the most unselfish kid I have ever coached and Katie, I'd take someone that isn't afraid to step up on my team any day. You two displayed everything the Champions Club stands for tonight. Thank you.

I'd gladly go on record by calling both of you "tough".

Katie and Bubs doing rope climbs in the warmup back in April. Let's get back at it on Wednesday at Catholic Leagues! Use tonight as motivation. More updates to come on the Regional meet.