IRVINGTON – The Irvington High School girls’ track and field program, under head coach Barnes Reid, is continually rising.
Though none of the girls placed and qualified in the major meets, there were fine performances. In fact, they barely missed the placing times.
The team’s dual-meet record improved. The Lady Blue Knights finished 3-4 after going 1-5 in 2015.
“We lost eight seniors to graduation, but have a strong group of underclass young ladies returning,” said Reid in an email to The Irvington Herald.
Freshman Deja Bethea was the team’s No. 1 400-meter dash runner and long jumper. Freshman Andrea Jackson was the team’s No. 1 triple jumper and one of the top hurdlers. Freshman Rayna Smith returns as one of the team’s best middle distance runners.
“We have a host of other freshman returnees who will contribute to the program on the rise with Saniya West (sprints), Bethany Powell (sprints, hurdles and field) and Twanna Hughes (distance),” said Reid. “ We have a very strong group of sophomore girls returning. Vicky Molokwu is one of our top hurdlers and sprinters. Jada Bozeman is our best distance runner.”
Khadeejah Hughes (distance), Allizea Kennedy (distance), Richelle De Los Santos (long and triple jumps), and Naomi Guinyard (sprints and field) also return. Nifellie Knights is the team’s best field person.
Next year’s team will be lead by two outstanding juniors: La Shanna James will be the team’s No. 1 middle distance runner, and Anathalie Thelemaque will be the team’s No. 1 hurdler returning next year.
Senior and team captain Mical Ceus was the team’s most valuable runner and was a high-point scorer for IHS in the hurdles, high jump and triple jump.
“An indication on how good our team will be was based on the amount of medals they won this spring from invitationals,” Reid said. “Among our girls this season, they won over 50 medals. It was a good season and I am looking for our girls to continue the rise next year.”
Photos by Raquel Foote.
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