Last weekend, the George Mason High School track and field team took part in the Metro Run & Walk Northern Virginia Invitational at Edison High School in Alexandria, a two-day event pitting the Mustang runners against over 30 AAA, AA and private schools from the area. Despite the stiff competition, many Mason athletes came away with personal bests in their respective events.

Leading Mason was senior Susanna Sullivan, who placed third in the 3200m and ninth in the 1600m. Sullivan, who recently signed her National Letter of Intent to run at the University of Notre Dame, qualified for the state meet in June with both of her top 10 finishes.

Senior Karina Robarge qualified for the Region B meet, finishing 11th out of 34 runners in the 100m hurdles. Chantel Bailey also qualified for Regionals in the 400m by winning her heat, finishing 26th overall.

Sophomore Chantal Thomas took 27th in the 100m hurdles, while Robarge finished 16th in the 300m hurdles and Taylor Moot finished 41st in the 100m dash.

On the boys side, seniors Austin Lucas and Matt Geurtsen continued their successful season, each of whom recorded personal best throws in the shot put and the discus. Lucas took 17th in the shot put with a distance of 40-05.25, while Geurtsen finished with a distance of 34-05.50. Lucas, a San Diego University football recruit, took 13th in the discus while Geurtsen finished 22nd.

Other boys who finished with successful meets included Brian Costelloe, Sam Parker, Mitch Housmann, Drew Garrison and Dylan Lucas.

The meet should have provided an ample tune-up for the Mustangs, who continued Bull Run District competition against Clarke County yesterday. Results were not available at press time. Mason will return home the following Wednesday to take on Strasburg High, with many of their runners looking to qualify for the district, region and state meets in the upcoming months.