Strong Start for SLHS at Track Districts

South Lakes High Schools track teams had a strong start in defending their Liberty District Indoor Track & Field titles at the Prince George's Sportsplex on Friday.

The girls currently have the team lead in the meet .  The girls 4 x 800 meter relay won and set a new school record of 9:41.68. The team of Delaney Wickman, Abby Reinhold, Kyannah Calhoun, and Grace Gillen also achieved an auto state qualifying standard.

Danielle Hale continued her district success with a win in the long jump (17-4) and the high jump (4-10). She also placed second in a dead heat 55 meter dash (7.60).

Maya Rodriguez earned her first individual district championship with a victory in the 55 meter hurdles. She ran a personal best 9.10. The girls distance squad showed strength in the 1600 meter run taking spots 2, 3, and 4.

Augusta Durham placed second with a personal best 5:23.14. Monica Lannen ran a personal best 5:24.02 to take 3rd, while Devin Nieusma ran strong taking fourth place in 5:24.25.

Other top finishers: Kristin Tran placed third in the long jump with a personal best 15-10.25 and placed sixth in the 55 meter dash with a personal best 7.76. Jordan Lozama placed fifth in the 55 meter dash with a personal best 7.75. Claire Nieusma placed sixth in the 55 meter hurdles with a season best 9.93.  Gabrielle Lozama competed in the high jump and did not clear the opening height. 

The boys are currently a close second in the team standings, and are set up to have a strong second day. The team was led by Zac Parker, who won the 55 meter dash with a personal best 6.68 and was second in the long jump with a 20-6 jump. Elias Ingea placed second in the 55 meter dash in 6.75. Michael McHugh was the runnerup in the 1,600 meter run with a personal best 4:29.43. Ashkan Mohammadi ran 4:29.91 to take 4th in the 1600.

Raj Pilaka ran a personal best 8.04 in the preliminary round of the 55 meter hurdles, then ran 8.19 to finish 3rd in the finals. The boys 4 x 800 meter relay (Michael Kerr, Michael Uhrig, Joey Rugari, Luis Rivas) placed second with a time of 8:23. Khoa Nguyen advanced to regionals in the long jump with his fifth place finish, jumping 19-4.5. Aeron Thai took 6th in the 55 meter dash, and Christian Vagonis rounded out the team scoring on the first day with his sixth place finish in the pole vault. 

Additonal strong perfromances were turned in by Johnny Doley (55 meter hurdles, 8.95) and Brandon Terry (long jump, 18-09.5) who both recorded personal bests, and Collin Weirick who placed 14th in the 1,600 meter run (4:57).   

The final day of the district championship begins at 4 p.m. Thursday at the PG Sportsplex.