“Around the Oval’’ Sidebar
By BOB LEDDY (TAFWA)
R.I. Track & Field Foundation
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18 Jan. – – For Cranston West sprinter Oceana Williams, track is a means not only of improving her times, but helping her team win while bonding with her teammates. “She’s dedicated,’’ said Falcon head coach Dina Cesana, “and hard-working. She’s always working to improve.’’
Williams, a senior, runs the 55- and 300-meter dashes, and anchors the Falcons’ 4×200 relay. She came to track from a background in gymnastics. But she found a mentor of sorts in her cousin, former La Salle All-Stater and high jump record-holder Dakota Dailey-Harris. (Dailey-Harris is currently a junior at the University of Miami.) “I saw her always wanting to do better,’’ said Williams.
“It was a little rough in the beginning,’’ said Williams, whose P-Rs are 7.4 in the dash and 43.28 for 300 meters. “But I’m always striving. I do quick-start and weight training. I like the 300 because it gives me more time [to accelerate].
Of her three participatory events, however, the 4×200 is Williams’ favorite. “It gives me a thrill. I get the chills [waiting for the baton pass]. It’s like my own little family; a bond.’’ That Cranston West foursome basically consists of junior Sofia Cadden, senior sisters Nicole and Eleni Grammas and Williams.
“She’s the best sprinter to come out of Cranston West,’’ said assistant coach Arianna Colella, a former Falcon All-State track and cross country standout. “She really studies track.’’
“I’m always trying to get better,’’ Williams said.
Connolly likes those freshman
Grace Connolly, Barrington Highs talented freshman “long ranger”, is glad that she gets to compete against two equally talented ninth graders: Ellie Lawler, of South Kingstown, and Westerly High’s Randi Burr. Indeed, all three runners finished the past cross country season as first-team All-Staters.
“It’s great to have kids my own age to compete against,’’ Connolly said. “I like to have freshmen to run against. We’re [Lawler and Burr] always racing each other. They’re the nicest girls. I’m just trying whatever I can. My goal was [cross country] All-State.’’ (Burr runs indoor track for the Bulldogs. Lawler is a competitive swimmer during the winter season.)
And the remainder of the 2015 indoor season? “I have no idea,’’ said Connolly, who owns a 10:48 P-R for 3000 meters, and 5:01 for the 1500, and who comes from a family of runners. “I’m just having fun.’’