After posting strong showings in the Bull Run District track and field meet last week, 11 George Mason High School athletes will compete in the Region B championships on May 23 in Charlottesville, Va.

Leading the way for the Mustangs at the district meet May 14 was double winner Susanna Sullivan. The senior distance-running phenom turned in her usual dominating performances in the 1600m (5:21.29) and 3200m (11:38.81), demolishing the competition. Sullivan swept those races for the third straight year at districts; she is the defending Group A state champion at both distances.

Mason’s other district champion was senior Karina Robarge, who won the 300m hurdles (48.64), also for the third year in a row. Robarge placed third in the 100m hurdles (18.18) and should contend for a high finish in that race as well at regionals.

Three more seniors earned All-District status and a spot in the regional competition: Meredyth Duncan, who placed third in the long jump (13’11.75”) and sixth in the triple jump (27’6”); Amelia Nystrom, who finished fifth in the 100m hurdles (18.61) and sixth in the 300m hurdles (53.17); and Lydia Fairfax, who finished fifth in the 800m (2:42.53).
A pair of Mason sophomore girls also were standouts at the district meet: Chantal Thomas took second in the high jump (5’0”) and third in the 300m hurdles (49.20), and Chantel Bailey was third in the 400m (1:03.49) and fifth in the 100m (14.07).

Robarge, Thomas, Bailey and junior Taylor Moot combined for a second place finish in the 4x400m relay (4:20.70), so Moot will join her teammates at regionals as well.

Overall, the girls scored 78 points, good for a strong third in the six-team meet, trailing Strasburg (85 points) and first-place Clarke Councy (182 points).

For Mason’s boys, three seniors fared well at the district meet and will advance to regionals. Yusef Becker took second in the 100m hurdles (17.18), Austin Lucas placed 3rd in both the shot put (42’2”) and discus (113’10”) and Matt Geurtsen finished 4th in the discus (112’3”).

In the May 23 Region B meet at Charlottesville’s Monticello High School, competitors will be vying for a place in the Group A State Championship May 30-31 at Radford University.