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Track & Field Teams Kick Records, Take Medals
The boys and girls track and field teams traveled to Richmond on a rainy, muggy Saturday to compete in the VISAA Track & Field Championships. Several athletes broke personal and School records, taking home 11 gold, silver, and bronze medals in the process.
The day got underway with some solid performances in the qualifying rounds of the 100-meter dash and the 110-meter hurdles. Sam Kamara '18 advanced into the final as one of the fastest sprinters in the state and placed 7th against the fastest in Virginia. Kamara followed this up later in the day with a 6th place in the 200-meters.
Litchfield Ajavon '19 and Bijee Jackson '18 both won their qualifying heat to advance to the 110-meter and 100-meter hurdles finals. Jackson ran just off of her usual best in the prelims and in the final finished a respectable Second place to add to her All State honors. Ajavon pressed the top seed through the race and ran just off of his personal best time to clinch the silver medal in his specialty. They would meet again later in the day in the 4x100-meter relay.
Nina Moore '20 had a fantastic day while managing a slight hamstring issue, advancing after a measured 2nd-place finish in her preliminary heat and going into the final with the fifth-fastest time in the state. In the Championship final, Moore had a solid start and stayed composed through the line to finish with a silver medal in the final and All-State honors. Moore saw many of her competitors later in the 4x100-meter relay.
In the girls' 4x800-meter relay, the Maroon were putting together the same squad that broke the State Meet record and School record en route to their 1st-place finish at the Indoor State Championships. After another solid lead-off from Claire Boehm '20, Regan Simmons '21 put in a solid leg to put pressure on the teams to run all out to try and hang with the middle distance powerhouse. Coach Sohn’s charges did not disappoint, as Senior Paige Hathaway laid down a near perfect race flying by all the opposition and handing off the baton to Alli Boehm '20 with a lead and chance to cruise in for the Gold Medal a school record and another State Championship Meet record.
The Maroon were in top company in the boys' 4 x 800-meter race. Cam Robinson '19 had a solid lead-off to keep the Maroon in touch with the top racers. James Dixon '19 was next moving the boys into contention for the coveted top-three finish, with a personal best relay split (2:02.6). Distance specialist Tre Simmons '20 was next up and he matched his teammates effort with a personal best time as well (2:04.8), handing off the baton to Freshman Zeddy Williams '21, who ran stride for stride as long as he could and brought home All-State honors by way of his 3rd-place finish, the highest finish in this event in the High School’s history.
In the girls' 4x100-meter relay, Episcopal dominated one of the most anticipated races of the championship meet, thanks in part to a flawless run from the first two legs, Moore and Dawn Farquharson '18. Jahsaiah Moses '19 put in her ever-reliable leg and Jackson finished things off to take the 1st place gold. The boys were up next in one of the deepest and tightest fields on the day. Local rival St Stephen’s & St Agnes have had an historic season, and Fork Union Military are the consummate favorites every year. The strong tradition of relay excellence remains strong for The Maroon, with Perris Jones '18 had a solid lead-off but a shaky hand-off to Ajavon, who was able to maintain a strong position and pass it on to relay specialist Jamall Mensah '20 who in turn revved it up to take EHS from 3rd to a tie for 1st. Mensah executed a flawless handoff to Kamara who chased down the Saints, taking the gold by .03 seconds and pulling off the Alexandria sweep at the State Finals!
While the Maroon were heating up the track, Freshman Darius Johnson '21 was having a special day of his own on the triple jump runway. Johnson came into the competition with the 11th-best leap in the state after just learning the specialty event this season. He qualified for the finals, and competed as one of the top nine leapers in the state and breaking the 40-foot barrier. Teammate Rudy Bissot '19 also gained valuable experience competing at the State Finals for the first time as well. Brianna Williams '18 was another top leaper for the Maroon, clearing 5 feet and taking the silver medal in the high jump event.
As the girls' squad was starting to accumulate a strong point total in the team competition, Senior Maya Goree '18 followed up her 6th-place finish in the discus with more points in the shot put where she placed 4th overall.
Moses and Farquharson matched up against the defending state champion in the 300-meter hurdles. Moses started a chase with the defending champion and wound up wtih a silver medal. Farquharson took 3rd place overall and another All-State performance—and a 2-3 point scoring finish for The Maroon.
In the 800-meters, Alli Boehm '20 placed 3rd and teammate Paige Hathaway '18 took 7th overall.
The last race of the day was also would be the final race in the Maroon uniforms for the power trio of seniors Jackson, Farquharson, and Hathaway. Ending their high school outdoor track & field career on a high note, they took home the bronze medal and yet another school record.
The boys team followed that up with a valiant effort in the 4 x 400m with Perris Jones moving up from the 100-meter distance for the team and Mensah, de Casteja and Dixon would finish things off for the Maroon at the 2018 State finals.
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Litchfield Ajavon '19 and Bijee Jackson '18 both won their qualifying heat to advance to the 110-meter and 100-meter hurdles finals. Jackson ran just off of her usual best in the prelims and in the final finished a respectable Second place to add to her All State honors. Ajavon pressed the top seed through the race and ran just off of his personal best time to clinch the silver medal in his specialty. They would meet again later in the day in the 4x100-meter relay.
Nina Moore '20 had a fantastic day while managing a slight hamstring issue, advancing after a measured 2nd-place finish in her preliminary heat and going into the final with the fifth-fastest time in the state. In the Championship final, Moore had a solid start and stayed composed through the line to finish with a silver medal in the final and All-State honors. Moore saw many of her competitors later in the 4x100-meter relay.
In the girls' 4x800-meter relay, the Maroon were putting together the same squad that broke the State Meet record and School record en route to their 1st-place finish at the Indoor State Championships. After another solid lead-off from Claire Boehm '20, Regan Simmons '21 put in a solid leg to put pressure on the teams to run all out to try and hang with the middle distance powerhouse. Coach Sohn’s charges did not disappoint, as Senior Paige Hathaway laid down a near perfect race flying by all the opposition and handing off the baton to Alli Boehm '20 with a lead and chance to cruise in for the Gold Medal a school record and another State Championship Meet record.
The Maroon were in top company in the boys' 4 x 800-meter race. Cam Robinson '19 had a solid lead-off to keep the Maroon in touch with the top racers. James Dixon '19 was next moving the boys into contention for the coveted top-three finish, with a personal best relay split (2:02.6). Distance specialist Tre Simmons '20 was next up and he matched his teammates effort with a personal best time as well (2:04.8), handing off the baton to Freshman Zeddy Williams '21, who ran stride for stride as long as he could and brought home All-State honors by way of his 3rd-place finish, the highest finish in this event in the High School’s history.
In the girls' 4x100-meter relay, Episcopal dominated one of the most anticipated races of the championship meet, thanks in part to a flawless run from the first two legs, Moore and Dawn Farquharson '18. Jahsaiah Moses '19 put in her ever-reliable leg and Jackson finished things off to take the 1st place gold. The boys were up next in one of the deepest and tightest fields on the day. Local rival St Stephen’s & St Agnes have had an historic season, and Fork Union Military are the consummate favorites every year. The strong tradition of relay excellence remains strong for The Maroon, with Perris Jones '18 had a solid lead-off but a shaky hand-off to Ajavon, who was able to maintain a strong position and pass it on to relay specialist Jamall Mensah '20 who in turn revved it up to take EHS from 3rd to a tie for 1st. Mensah executed a flawless handoff to Kamara who chased down the Saints, taking the gold by .03 seconds and pulling off the Alexandria sweep at the State Finals!
While the Maroon were heating up the track, Freshman Darius Johnson '21 was having a special day of his own on the triple jump runway. Johnson came into the competition with the 11th-best leap in the state after just learning the specialty event this season. He qualified for the finals, and competed as one of the top nine leapers in the state and breaking the 40-foot barrier. Teammate Rudy Bissot '19 also gained valuable experience competing at the State Finals for the first time as well. Brianna Williams '18 was another top leaper for the Maroon, clearing 5 feet and taking the silver medal in the high jump event.
As the girls' squad was starting to accumulate a strong point total in the team competition, Senior Maya Goree '18 followed up her 6th-place finish in the discus with more points in the shot put where she placed 4th overall.
Moses and Farquharson matched up against the defending state champion in the 300-meter hurdles. Moses started a chase with the defending champion and wound up wtih a silver medal. Farquharson took 3rd place overall and another All-State performance—and a 2-3 point scoring finish for The Maroon.
In the 800-meters, Alli Boehm '20 placed 3rd and teammate Paige Hathaway '18 took 7th overall.
The last race of the day was also would be the final race in the Maroon uniforms for the power trio of seniors Jackson, Farquharson, and Hathaway. Ending their high school outdoor track & field career on a high note, they took home the bronze medal and yet another school record.
The boys team followed that up with a valiant effort in the 4 x 400m with Perris Jones moving up from the 100-meter distance for the team and Mensah, de Casteja and Dixon would finish things off for the Maroon at the 2018 State finals.
FULL RESULTS
Top Times by EVENT
Top Time by ATHLETE
