Emily Milton
Editor
The A.C. Girl’s Track and Field team, coached by Teresa Henderson, ran their fastest time in the 4×400 meter relay at the Penn Relays on April 28 and 29. The Penn Relays are are the largest and most historic track and field competition in the United States, and held at The University of Pennsylvania annually.
The Titans came home with many successes when they arrived back in Alexandria. Senior Morgan Fraser, who has been in the track and field program for five years, placed 11th in the high jump competition. This was her second time at the Penn Relays, “…the energy there is always insane and it feels like [being on] a stage…” This was however, the first year Fraser was jumping in the famous competition, last year she was a runner.
The girl’s 4×400 meter relay team, which is comprised of Ciara Norfleet, Alisha Jackson, Shulamite Yawson, and Diarra Sangare, ran their best time at 4:13:33. It is not the first time attending the Penn Relays for Norfleet either, who has been in the track and field program for two years, participating in two outdoor seasons. She says the difference between this year and last, “…is that last year I was more nervous, and we had to run everything in one day instead of this year, we ran on Friday and Saturday.” On Friday, the 28th, the girls ran the 4×100 meter relay, and on Saturday the 29th, the girls ran the 4×400 meter relay.
Represented by Vivian Roman, Lena Wilson, Shulamite Yawson, and Alisha Jackson, the 4×100 meter relay team also participated in the Penn Relays. For junior and freshman Roman and Wilson, this was their first Penn Relays. Roman, who has been running on the track and field team for 4 years, reflects, “It was an amazing opportunity, but was chaotic in the amount of people and seriousness of the event.” Wilson reciprocated the warm energy towards the competition, “I was so excited to be able to go [to the Relays]. I loved meeting and running against great athletes from schools from so many different places.” All of the girls traveled to the competition together, and Roman said that the whole team has, “…an amazing bond, which this trip strengthened!”
Norfleet states, “It’s cool to be a part of the [ACHS track and field] legacy, but also overwhelming because when they see the checkerboard, they think of the Lyles brothers and the 1992 champs, so that’s a lot of pressure…” She is referring to Noah and Josephus Lyles, who are both Titan alumni and went on to run professionally. Noah even went on to compete in the 2020 Olympics, receiving bronze in the 200 meter dash.
When referring to her time in the track program, Fraser said, “I am so grateful…and I’ve worked very hard every year to get where I am today.” Her words of advice to other athletes is to, “Try track/field because you never know your abilities until you put them to the test!”
Featured Image courtesy of Teresa Henderson
