It’s events like this that makes every day a great day to be a Gael! Roxbury High School had the opportunity on March 7th to acknowledge the hard work and accomplishments of one of their top athletes, senior Bridget Doherty. She has the exciting opportunity to continue her academic and athletic career at the University of Rhode Island next year.

Track and Field Coach Derek Bischoff shared, “Bridget has given our program a lot to be proud of over the last few years.”

With the outdoor season still remaining, Doherty has already been a placewinner at the State Sectional Championships three times, Morris County Championships five times, and NJAC Conference Championships three times.

Bischoff added, “As a member of the Spring Medley Relay and 4×400 Meter Relay teams, she helped set the fastest time run by any school in Morris County history. She has won multiple Morris County and State Sectional Championships as a member of those relay teams as well as the 4×200 Meter Relay.”

During her junior season, Doherty led off the Sprint Medley Relay team that won the Group 3 State Championship. She has competed at the four Indoor and Outdoor National Championships.

For all the success Doherty has experienced on the track team, it wasn’t planned. She recently shared, “As a

freshman, I never expected to join the track team. However, to stay in shape for soccer, I decided to join. Little did I know it would change my whole high school experience.”

Her success running provided her the ability to see a little of this great country. “Track has allowed me the opportunity to compete at the UPenn relays, Nationals in North Carolina, and at the Armory in New York City,” said Doherty.

Doherty’s accomplishments reach far behind the track. She has also shown herself to be a leader.

According to Bischoff, “Above all the accomplishments, Bridget has been a great leader in our program. She has been

an incredible example of resilience, determination, and competitiveness. Those qualities are what make Bridget special, not her accomplishments. I feel very fortunate to have been able to witness these things on a daily basis. Without a doubt, her competitiveness and toughness have played a huge role in her earning the opportunity to compete at the Division 1 level.”

Doherty, to a degree, agrees saying, “Track has shown me that in order to be successful, I have to push myself past my limits.”

She acknowledges though that she couldn’t have done it alone.

“I’d like to thank my coach, Bischoff that has been nothing but supportive, encouraging, and patient. Overall, it has opened up so many doors for me, challenged me, and rewarded me. It will be hard to leave this all behind, but I’m excited to see what else I can do at the University of Rhode Island.”

Even though Doherty will graduate in June, she will leave her legacy behind. “I can proudly say, I’m leaving Roxbury High School with two banners in the gym with my name on it. I would have never thought that would happen, but I would never trade those four years, and seven seasons for anything.”

“We are certain that Bridget will continue to be a great representation of our program, our school, and our community as she embarks on this next chapter of her life. We are extremely proud of her and are excited to see what she will accomplish at the University of Rhode Island,” said Bischoff.

Individually, Doherty is a 3 x State Sectional Championship Placewinner, a 5 x Morris County Championship Placewinner, and a 3 x NJAC Conference Placewinner. As a Relay Team Member for the 4×400 Meter Relay & Sprint Medley Relay, Doherty is a 3 x Morris County Champion, 6 x Morris County Relay Champion, 3 x State Sectional Champion, Group 3 State Champion, 4 x 1st Team All-County, 2 x NJ State Placewinner, 6 x Morris County Placewinner, 4 x National Qualifier, #9 in the United States, 6 School Records, and 2 All-Time Morris County Records.

PHOTO ATTACHED (courtesy of Coach Derek Bischoff – Roxbury High School)