Both the boys and girls teams got second place at the state competition. The boys to Western Branch high school, and the girls to South Lakes high school.
Over the last five years, WS’s track and field and cross country programs have experienced success unmatched by any other sport at the school. Led by alumni and coach Chris Pellegrini, the team has won multiple state titles. Not only have they won at the state level, but have also experienced massive success at the district and regional level. Just recently, the boys track and field team secured their three-peat district and Regional Indoor Championships. The girls also won both district and regional titles. Both teams achieved second at Indoor States this year.
Tragedy struck in the boys 4x200m final, when the team got DQed after running the third fastest time at the meet. It is uncommon for public schools to make it to the final, much less place third. They were DQed due to contact with another runner.
The team recently competed at the national competition. Records were set in the boys and girls 4x400m, the boys 4x200m, and the boys 55m shuttle hurdle relay. The boys shuttle hurdle relay was the first in school history. They ran the fourth fastest time at the meet, and the fifth fastest in the entire country.
Juniors AC Ross (left) and Mark-Anthony Whyte (right) are teammates, competitors, and friends. The duo runs many of the same events, such as the 55m, 100, and 200m. The two have both broken previous, their own, and eachothers school records. Currently Whyte holds the records for the 55m and 100m, however Ross runs almost identical times.
Junior Siera Sommers poses next to her first place mark of 44’11.5. The junior is among the best throwers in the nation. Her and senior teammate Brady Echols combine to be one of the most formiddable shotput duos in the state. Echols placed third at states, and is ranked second in the state.
Both the boys and girls 4x200m relays broke the school record during the winter season. (Left to right) long sprints coach Daniel Breedlove, senior Kiki Richardson, junior Addison Auger, freshman Gwen VanThompson, sophmore Aja Day Thompson and sprints coach Katherine Charecky (Left to right) Mark-Anthony Whyte, Nick Bailey, Max Englert and AC Ross
