It was a tale of two meets for Washington track and field team as the Pam Pack boys put forth a powerful display by dominating the four-team event, while the young Washington girls’ team showed it still has some catching up to do.
Competing against Northside, Riverside and Bertie, the Washington boys won nearly every event as they racked up 169.5 points to take first. Riverside claimed second with 49.5 points and was trailed by Bertie (37) and Northside (9).
In the girls’ meet, Riverside rolled as it compiled 104 points in the victory and was followed by Bertie (51), Washington (46) and Northside (43).
“The Riverside girls are strong,” Washington coach Jon Blank said. “They’re well coached and they came out here and battled. Their girls fight hard and I believe they will do very well in their conference.”
The Pam Pack boys’ team moved like a well-oiled machine as they recorded numerous personal bests and showed improved technique.
“We went out and executed really well. We swept the relays, which is always important for us. We executed our handoffs well and cut some time in a lot of places,” Blank said.
The Washington boys took first in every event except the shot put, discuss and the 1600-meter run, where they placed second.
Competing against three smaller schools, Washington was favored to win the meet heading into it but Blank said his team went above and beyond his expectations on Thursday.
“We set a lot of personal records today,” Blank said. “Both boys and girls went out and set best times and distances in tons of events. That was critical for us. We’re always looking for constant improvement.”
Willie Smith, Jose Chavez, Victor Santos and Phillip Peaden combined to win the 4×800 relay, while Keyes, Devonta Corprew, Tarahje Burke and Myron Brooks took first in the 4×200. In the 4×100, Keyes, Corprew, Stevie Green and Markel Spencer finished first, as did the 4×400 relay team of Keyes, Chavez, Brooks and Javon Whitney.
Alan Hardy jumped 19’6” to win the long jump, while Daquan Daniels was tops in the triple jump (37’11”) and the high jump (5’8”).
Spencer sprinted his way to gold in the 100- and 200-meter dashes, while Stevie Green ran a 17.22 to win the 110-meter high hurdles and jumped a 5’8” to tie Daniels for first in the high jump.
Brooks galloped to victory in the 400-meter run with a time of 54.68, Santos legged out a win the 3200-meter run (11:49), Chavez took first in the 800-meter run (2:18) and Rian Freeman was tops in the 300-meter hurdles (45.86).
In the girls meet, Caitlyn Hales, Shaneen Midgette, Oddesse Gibson and Zandria Edwards ran a 1:59.88 to win the 4×200-meter relay. Hales, Midgette, Dajah Smith and Andrea Peed placed second in the 4×100, while Kendall Bridges, Chelsea Lilley, Alexandra Franz and Edwards earned silver in the 4×400.
Callie Landen ran a 15:35 in the 3200-meter run to finish in second, while Andrea Peed placed second in the long jump with a mark of 13’11”.