The indoor track team made a strong showing at the 4A State Championship Feb. 23 at the Prince George’s County Sportsplex, facing some of the best runners in the state.
The girls impressively placed fifth while the boys came in sixth.

“The biggest surprise was our boy sprinters,” coach Paul Jacobson said. “[They placed] second in state in the 4×200 meter relay, which was a shock.”

The 4×200 meter relay team consisted of senior Jashawn Thomas, juniors Zach Raker and Robert Bowis and sophomore Micah Phillips-Spencer.

Due to snow, Regionals took place Feb. 17 at the Baltimore Armory.

For the girls, the 4×8, 4×2 and 4×4 relay teams all qualified for states. Senior Ale Martinez won the girls 55 meter hurdles and senior Katie Wolf placed second in the 55 meter dash. Giedd came in third in the 2 mile run and senior Myriam Fikri came in second in the 1 mile run.

For the boys, the 4×8, 4×4 and 4×2 relay teams also qualified for states. Senior Tarek Elhage also qualified by placing sixth in the 2 mile run.

The indoor track team competed Jan. 25 in the County Championship, where the team’s main competitors were Northwest, Walter Johnson, Damascus and Whitman.

“The boys ran really well and placed fourth in the county,” Wolf said. “The girls pulled a major upset against Northwest and won the county title for the fourth time in five years.” 
The girls team won the championship with a total of 89 points.

“We ran the meet of our lives and scored in almost every event,” Wolf said. “To pick one team member who really made a difference, I’d have to say [junior] Serenah Polite.  She ran a huge personal best and placed higher than she ever has in the hurdles, scoring six points for the team.”

After an amazing performance by Fikri in the 800 meter race, the team was ahead. Polite placed fourth in the triple jump, furthering the team’s lead.