SLHS wins Northern Region Indoor Track Championships (Feb.12, 2020). Photo by Deborah Lannen
South Lakes won both the boys and girls titles at the 6A Northern Region D Indoor Track and Field Championships Feb. 12 at the Prince George’s Sports and Learning Complex in Landover, Md.
The Lady Seahawks were the two-time defending Northern Region champion going into the meet and scored 116 points to win a third consecutive title. The boys team scored 96 points to win its first Northern Region title since 2011.
It’s the first time in school history that both teams have won the region championship in the same season.
Seniors led the way for both teams:
Hannah Waller won the 55 meters with a region record time of 6.95. The previous mark of 6.96 was set by Alyssa Aiken of Chantilly on Feb. 26, 2000. Waller also won the 300 meters (40.05) and was second in the triple jump (38-08.25). Waller anchored the 4x200 meter relay team of freshman Julianna Byrd and sophomores Megan Luczko and Jillian Howard, that finished third (1:46.73).
Emily Lannen, who was third in the 1,000 meters last year, won the event in 3:05.89 this season. She also teamed with senior Caitlyn Morris, sophomore Annika Yu and freshman Annalise Williams to win the 4x800 meter relay (9:43.68).
Mary Gregory won her third consecutive 500 meters with a time of 1:16.57. She was also third in the 55 meters and 4x400 meter relay with teammates Lannen, Yu and Luczko (4:05.52).
Jackson Cooley dominated the horizontal jump events winning the long jump (21-05.50) and triple jump jump (43-07.25). He also finished second the 55 meters (6.59).
Mira Cuthill won the girls high jump (5-01.00) while Caleb Miller successfully defended his title in the boys shot put (50-08.50).
David Ramirez was third in the 500 meters (1:09.13).
Sophomore Joshua Gregory led the contributions of the underclassmen to the championships.
Like his older sister, Mary, Joshua won the 500 meters with a time of 1:07.90. He was second in the 300 meters with a photo finish time of 36.77. Sophomore William Watson finished second in the 55 meter hurdles (8.08) as did Howard in the 55 meter dash (7.35). She was also third in the 300 meters (40.82). Juniors Tommy Allison and Amelia DiBiase had top three performances in the pole vault. Allison finished second in the boys competition, clearing 11-06.00 while DiBiase was third in the girls division with a clearance of 10-00.00.
At the 113th NYRR Millrose Games Feb. 8 at The Stadium Armory in New York City, Howard, Gregory, junior Juviannadean Mullings and Waller finished second in the 4x200 meter relay with a school record time of 1:39.65. Waller also finished fifth in the 60 meters (7.63).
SLHS will send 24 athletes to the 6A State Championship Feb. 28-29 at the Boo Williams Sportsplex in Hampton, Va.