Indoor track races into tomorrow’s meet after heating up winter break competitions

Liam Thomas and Alex Wright

Wolverine indoor track looks to improve their times and run well in their upcoming meet on Saturday after two strong showings over winter break.

The Rines’ came out hard at the Southern Maryland Athletic Conference (SMAC) Classic January 2 and were met with great placings.  

The girls 4 x 400m and 4 x 800m both finished in the top ten, finishing fourth and sixth respectively. “[They are] one of the favorites to win states in both of those events,” coach Byrant Adams said of the two relays. “The girls just have to continue to work hard and do what [they have] been doing up until now and [they will] be there at the end of the month,” he added.

Other standouts from the SMAC Classic include senior Schezarone Carter placing sixth in the 300m (36.29). “When I start for a race I try to maintain focus, and when I go into the end of my race I try to keep my pace and finish strong,” added Schezarone Carter.

Senior Lisa Franco placed sixth as well in the 800m (2:29.34), and senior Alyssa Rishell finished seventh in the 500m (1:20.36).

Also over break, The ‘Rines ran in the MCPS Number 3 Meet on December 29. Despite being over break, many runners showed up for the team and performed well.

Senior Sahil Shrestha tied for first place in the high jump  with a height of six feet-two inches. “[Shresta will] make it to states as long as he continues to jump well,” Adams said.

The boys’ 4 x 200m relay team had a great run, finishing fourth with a time of 1:37.2, posting the only other top five finish from the meet. Not to be outdone, the girls’ 4 x 200m relay team finished ninth, completing the event in 1:56.7.  The girls’ relay teams have now finished in the top ten in all three events, the 4 x 200m, 4 x 400m, and 4 x 800m.

A core runner in those girls’ relay teams, Rishell added, “I just tell myself when I get out there, ignore the pain.” That strategy seems to be working, as Rishell has not only herself, but the relay teams in reach of a state title.

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