Last Wednesday, the George Mason High School girls track and field team ended their regular season undefeated by beating Strasburg High School with a score of 91-39. Although their male counterparts fell to the Rams, the Mustangs came away with excellent individual performances as well.
Leading the ladies in points were double winners junior Karina Robarge and freshman Chantel Bailey. As she has been doing throughout the year, Robarge finished first in the 100m and 300m hurdles while Bailey won the 100m and 200m yard dash.
Other first place winners for Mason were freshman Adeyianka Bowman in the high jump, juniors Meredyth Duncan in the long jump and Sushmita Gordhandas in the triple jump, as well as senior Ashley Thompson in the 400m.
Winning the relays were the 4×100 team of freshman Autumn Brennan, Bowman, junior Minh Le and junior Laura Allan and the 4×400 team of Robarge, junior Amelia Nystrom, senior Elizabeth Fortenberry and Bailey.Junior. Star runner Susanna Sullivan returned from injury to take first in the 800m as well.
“The girls continue to have double winners and to sweep events,” said Bravin. “Their teamwork and support of one another is outstanding.”
Although the Lady Mustangs continue to top Bull Run District rivals, the boys could not come away with their first win in the district, although the plethora of winners indicated they could place well in the District tournament.
Senior Derek Devore continued to dominate the hurdles, taking first in the 110m and 300m, as well as a second place finish in the long jump. Freshman Sam Parker rang up a personal record time, as well as winning the 1600m in an excellent race.
Throwers senior Ed Hickey, junior Austin Lucas and senior Hunter Burkey swept the discus, finishing first through third, respectively. Lucas also took first in the shot put, with Hickey finishing right behind him.
“The throwers have grown to be a strong competitive power in the Bull Run District this season, recording two sweeps and several near sweeps in dual meet competition this season,” Bravin said.
In addition to the dual meet at Strasburg, Sullivan and fellow classmate Josh Jenkins competed in the Southern Track Classic last Friday, an invitation-only meet for the top runners in the Virginia area. Although only eight people run in the sprints and twelve in the distance events per gender, the Mustang runners came away with strong finishes.
“It is an honor just to be invited to this meet,” said Mustang coach Julie Bravin. “Both Josh and Susanna looked fantastic throughout.”
Jenkins finished third in the 400m dash, posting a new school record time of 48:95, while Sullivan ran an excellent race in the two mile, placing fifth with an overall time of 11:11:73.
Wednesday’s District Meet at Manassas Park High School was postponed until Thursday, May 17 at 3 p.m.
