Victories in the boys 500 meters, long jump and 4×400 meter relay highlighted the South Lakes High School indoor track team’s performance at the 6A North Regional Championship Wednesday at the Prince George’s Sportsplex in Landover, Md.
SLHS will be represented by 20 athletes at the 6A State Indoor Championships Feb. 27-March 1 in Hampton.
Senior Daniel Johnsen won the 500 meters in 1:06.08. He also anchored the winning 4×400 relay team (3:28.16) of seniors Michael Kerr, Luis Rivas and junior Sam Arpee. Johnsen also finished fourth in the 300 meters with a 36.87.
The top six finishers in each of the regional events advance to the state track meet.
Khayri Denny jumped 22-5.25 to win the regional title in the long jump. The senior also finished fifth in the 55 meters (6.65), sixth in the 300 meters (37.22) and 15th in the triple jump (39-3.50). Denny teamed with seniors Ben O’Connor, Marcus Harrell and Anthony Mayo for a fourth place finish in the 4×200 (1:34.72).
Junior Delaney Wickman was second in the 500 meters (1:16.67) while sophomore Golden Kumi-Darfour finished fifth (1:17.56). Freshman Devyn Jones ran a 8.90 in the 55 meter hurdles for fifth place and a trip to states and junior Comfort Reed placed fourth in the triple jump with a leap of 36-2. Reed was also 12th in the long jump (16-2).
Other top six performances at the regional meet include:
Girls 4×400 relay team of juniors Ozioma Chinaka, Maya Rodriguez, Kumi-Darfour and Jones ran a 4:10.20 for sixth place.
Senior Abby Reinhold, juniors Erin Bidwell and Gabrielle Acosta and sophomore Monica Lannen placed sixth in the girls 4×800 (10:03.14).
SLHS performances at the 6A North Region Championships also included: Girls 4×200 relay (12th, 1:56.10); boys 4×800 relay (9th, 8:22.46); Arpee, 500 meters (9th, 1:08.65); Chinaka, pole vault (10th, 7-9), shot put (22nd, 27-9.75); Grace Gillen, 500 meters (8th, 1:20.33); Kerr, 500 meters (8th, 1;08.23); Lannen, 3200 meters (16th, 12:18.31); Jordan Lozama, 55 meters (13th, 7.62), shot put (23rd, 27-3); Mayo, long jump (8th, 20-4.75); Andrew McCool, 1,600 meters (11th, 4:32.21), 3,200 meters (18th, 10:10.65); Khoa Nguyen, long jump (21st, 18-6), triple jump (13th, 40-3.25); Claire Nieusma, 500 meters (12th, 1:20.59); Reinhold, 1,000 meters (16th, 3:22.92); Rivas, 1,00 meters (7th, 2:41.02); Rodriguez, 55 meter hurdles (8th, 9.21); Alex Rudison, triple jump (16th, 38-8); Nathan Stone, 55 meter hurdles (20th, 9.21); Kristin Tran, long jump (19th, 13-3); Wickman, 300 meters (8th, 42.70).
Kahryi Denny and Daniel Johnsen compete for South Lakes. Credit: Gabrielle Lozama.
Terraset Elementary School hosted its 8th annual Spelling Bee on Wednesday in the school’s cafeteria. Fourteen students from grades 3-6 participated. The format followed those used by both the county and national bee programs. Sia Komba, a 4th grader, won in round nine, with the word “manufacture.” Archer Oliver, a sixth grader, was runner-up.
Sia advances to compete against students from all over Fairfax County at the 2014 County Bee in March. The winner of the county contest will advance to the Scripps National Bee in Washington, DC.
“I liked learning new words, and I feel really good about what I did. I’m really excited!” said Sia.
Save the Date for SLHS Casino Night
The South Lakes High School Athletic Boosters will be having its first “Casino Night” on Friday, March 14 from 7 to 10 p.m. at the Reston Community Center Hunters Woods. The proceeds from Casino Night will be used by the Booster Club to directly benefit SLHS athletes. The Booster Club helps supplement the budget of the South Lakes Activities Department, contributing to ALL sports at SLHS.
To purchase your tickets to the event, visit the boosters website.
SLHS gymnast advances
South Lakes gymnast Jasmine Shuey qualified for 2014 State Gymnastics Championships on Balance Beam — the first Seahawk Gymnast to go to states in more than 10 years. The meet begins Friday in Virginia Beach.
Have any news from your Reston school? Send it to [email protected].
Virginia has the third-highest number of Advanced Placement test-takers in the nation, according to a new report from the College Board.
The College Board, which has one of its main offices in Reston, says 28.3 percent of Virginia students took an AP test and scored at least a 3 on it. Only Maryland (29.3 percent) and Connecticut (28.8) had more students taking AP tests, says the 10th Annual AP report to the Nation, released on Tuesday.
The United States average is 20.1 percent.
The College Board says that AP test takers, when compared to other students, earn higher GPAs in college; perform as well or better in subsequent college courses in the discipline than non-AP students who took the introductory class in college; take more—not less—college course work in the discipline; are more likely to graduate college within five years; and have higher graduation rates.
While Herndon High offers a full slate of AP classes and tests, South Lakes High School offers just one — AP U.S. Government. SLHS is mainly an International Baccalaureate school. IB is also a rigorous academic program, but the AP-vs.-IB school debate has been going on in Reston for years.
Other facts from the College Board report:
* In the Class of 2013, there were 1,003,430 AP test takers nationwide. That is an increase of more than a half-million seniors since 2003.
* The number of low-income senior examinees rose from 58,489 in 2003 to 217,375 in 2013.
“In other words, the expansion of AP has nearly doubled the number of students who have been given access to the opportunity of AP, more than quadrupled the number of low-income graduates who have been given this opportunity and the expansion has resulted in a larger increase in successful AP experiences than not, a tribute to the educators who have worked hard to prepare many more students and to the students who have embraced the opportunity,” says the report.
Access the College Board’s full report here.
SingStrong — the three-day a cappella festival that raises money for the Alzheimer’s Association and local music programs — returns to South Lakes High School Feb. 21-23.
The event features some of the best-known a cappella singers, including gospel-pop group Ten, runners up on this season of NBC’s “The Sing-Off“; Blake Lewis, runner up on Season 6 of American Idol; The Funx with Nate Tao, a Reston native and a contestant on last season’s American Idol; Grace McLean, NYC live looper; Kaila Mullady, top-ranked female beatboxer at the this year’s American Beatbox Championships; Classic Sounds, an award winning doo-wop group, among many others.
There will be five concerts at SLHS’ Little Theatre, including shows throughout the day on Saturday, Feb. 22. Visit the SingStrong site for the exact schedule as each show will have a different lineup. Friday’s 7 p.m. show is “ACA-Idol,” an “American Idol”-style competition for pro and college groups.
Saturday’s 7 p.m. Main Event show features several multiple professional a cappella groups, including Blake Lewis, Blue Jupiter, Stiletta, The Funx with Nate Tao and Amy “Bob” Engelhardt. The 9:30 p.m. Saturday show features Ten, Classic Sounds, Grace McLean, Kaila Mullady, and others.
Matinee concerts include Saturday’s finals of the High School Competition, with awards for performance, arranging and composition and Sunday’s show featuring Ten, The Capital Hearings, The Alexandria Harmonizers, The Funx, Kaila Mullady, Grace McLean and more.
Also at SLHS: A wide variety of classes and coachings for singers. The workshops are part of weekend pass or class pass admission.
Need more? There will be open mic sessions at the Westin Reston Heights each night.
Tickets range from $15 to $35. Discounted passes are available for seniors, students and groups of 10 or more. Parking is free. For more information, visit www.SingStrong.org.
South Lakes senior midfielder Ellen Gose has signed a letter of intent to play at College of Charleston next season.
Gose has been a varsity player for the Seahawks since her freshman year. Coach Michael Astudillo says she has overcome injuries each year, which shows tremendous determination.
“She has battled an injury each year and each time has come back stronger,” he said.
Gose had surgery on her right knee six months ago, but looks ready to play, he said. South Lakes opens its season March 11.
College of Charleston is an NCAA Division I team that plays in the Colonial Athletic Association.
A record-setting performance in the boys 4×800 meter relay and outstanding performances by its seniors led South Lakes High School to Liberty Conference Championships in both the boys and girls divisions Thursday at the Prince George’s Sportsplex in Landover, Md.
SLHS boys scored 147 points for their sixth consecutive title. James Madison High School finished second with 80. The girls team won its third consecutive crown by scoring 141.50 points. Arlington’s Washington and Lee High School was second with 101.
Seniors Michael Kerr, Daniel Johnsen, Michael Uhrig and Luis Rivas won the 4×800 meter relay in a record 8:10.71. The previous mark of 8:12.03 was set in 2007 by Thomas Jefferson High School.
South Lakes won all three relays in the boys division: Seniors Ben O’Connor, Marcus Harell Anthony Mayo and Khayri Denny won the 4×200 meter relay in 1:35.47. Harrell and Rivas teamed with juniors Sam Arpee and John Frauenheim in winning the 4×400 meter relay in 3:36.42.
In the girls 4×400 meter relay, juniors Sydney Crutcher, Maya Rodriguez, Delaney Wickman and sophomore Golden Kumi-Darfour won the event in 4:11.70. Seniors Abby Reinhold, Grace Gillen, junior Claire Nieusma and Kumi-Darfour finished second in the 4×800 (9:50.38) and the team of senior Danielle Hale and juniors Ozioma Chinaka, Jordan Lozama and Comfort Reed ran a 1:48.12 for third in the 4×200.
Fourteen students from South Lakes High School have earned All District Band Honors for Virginia Band & Orchestra Directors Association (VBODA) District 12.
Places in the All District Bands were awarded to the following students based on competitive audition:
- Alex Arshadi (Junior, Percussion)
- Kat Edmiston (Sophomore, Bass Clarinet)
- Samantha Gifford (Junior, Trombone)
- Anna Gosling (Senior, Baritone)
- Joel Ladwig (Senior, Contra-Bass Clarinet)
- Ellen Lee (Senior, Clarinet)
- Jacob Loehr (Junior, Trumpet)
- Mason Moy (Freshman, Tuba)
- Max Onozuka (Sophomore, Clarinet)
- Gary Quaresima (Freshman, French Horn)
- Dylan Reiser (Senior, Flute)
SLHS’ Sean Bermingham (Junior, Percussion), Rafi Goldsmith (Junior, Percussion) and Brendan Martin (Senior, Baritone) earned alternate positions.
The South Lakes representatives will join students from more than 14 public and private high schools located in Arlington and Fairfax County for the All District Band event at Oakton High School on Jan. 30 and Feb. 1. The event will culminate with a concert, which is free and open to the public, on Saturday, Feb. 1 at 3:30 p.m. in the Oakton HS auditorium.
For more information about the South Lakes HS band program, visit the band’s website at www.southlakesband.org.
South Lakes High School’s swim team had several event winners, but it was not enough to overcome McLean on Friday at Spring Hill RECenter. The Highlander girls edged the Seahawks 160-155; the boys topped SLHS 165-140.
South Lakes started the meet with both the girls and boys winning the first two events. In the 200 yard Medley Relay, Johnny Micka, Benjamin Gryski, Mac Sogandares, and Tyler Hutson won for the boys. Natalie Obando, Megan Carney, Sabrina Groves, and Sasha Avilov won for the girls. In the 200 yard Freestyle, freshmen Tyler Ellis for the boys and Emily Landeryou for the girls both won, with a Regionals-qualifying time for Landeryou.
Additional highlights for South Lakes included:
• A sweep of the 50 yard Freestyle event for the girls with first- through fourth-place finishes for Malina Stassinos (first), Avilov (second), Madeleine Daum (third), and Kaylyn Macaluso (fourth).
• A sweep of the 100 yard Butterfly for the boys with first- through third-place finishes for Sogandares (first, with a Regionals-qualifying time), Ellis (second), and Micka (third).
• A one-two finish in the 500 yard Freestyle for Joseph Hosi (first) and Bradley Torrington (second).
• A first-place finish for the girls 200 yard Freestyle Relay team of Landeryou, Macaluso, Daum, and Avilov.
• A one-two finish in the 100 yard Backstroke for Natalie Obando (first, with a Regionals-qualifying time), and Landeryou (second). Read More
South Lakes High School had strong performances by individual swimmers, but both teams were defeated by Langley High School in a dual swim meet on Friday at Spring Hill Rec Center.
The Saxon girls defeated the Seahawks 174-140. The Langley boys topped South Lakes 164-130.
Individual highlights for South Lakes included:
• Emily Landeryou achieved two Regionals qualifying times with second-place finishes in 200 yard Individual Medley and 500 yard Freestyle.
• Sabrina Groves achieved a Regionals qualifying time with a second-place finish in 100 yard Butterfly.
• A one-two finish for Sasha Avilov (first) and Madeleine Daum in the 50 yard Freestyle.
• A win for the 200 Freestyle Relay team of Groves, Avilov, Kaylyn Macaluso, and Malina Stassinos.
• A first place finish for the 200 Medley Relay team of Johnny Micka, Benjamin Gryski, Mac Sogandares, and Tyler Hutson.
• A win for Gryski in the 200 Individual Medley.
• A one-two finish for Tyler Ellis (first) and Dylan Hawley in the 100 Butterfly.
• First place finishes for Sogandares in the 100 Freestyle and 100 Breaststroke.
• Wins for Bradley Torrington in the 500 Freestyle, and Johnny Micka in 200 Backstroke.
South Lakes swimmers meet McLean at 7 p.m. Friday at Spring Hill.
Girls basketball — The Seahawks are 13-1 and ranked No. 6 by The Washington Post in this week’s poll. Tuesday’s game against McLean was postponed due to the snow day. The girls host Washington-Lee Friday at 7:30 p.m.
The team has won five games in a row, including a 66-44 victory over Langley last Friday in which four players scored in double figures. The girls followed that win with a 67-6 1 victory over Franklin County Saturday. That game was part of the 2014 STAT VA Classic in Richmond, a tournament for the top finishers in Virginia last season.
South Lakes swim photo courtesy David Cordts
Students from South Lakes High School pyramid schools will present the ninth annual Broadway Night Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m. in the SLHS Little Theatre.
This year’s show is titled “#Generations X, Y, Z.” It will feature music from Broadway musicals from 1962 to today, including Matilda, 13 the Musical, Edges, Cinderella, Anything Goes, Promises,Promises, Rock of Ages and more.
“Many of the more recent Broadway shows are featuring music and artists from the 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s, introducing our current generation to this music,’’ says Rita Gigliotti, SLHS Choir Director. “While new to them, it is reminiscent for their parents and grandparents. To add to this twist, there will be a hashtag associated with each song in the review to incorporate today’s social media hype for our ‘Z’ generation.’’
More than 120 students will be participating in the show, produced by the South Lakes Chorus program. SLHS choral students assume leadership roles in running every aspect of the show: performing, directing, production, technical theatre, publicity, costuming and choreography.
Tickets: $15 for adults, $10 for students and seniors. They can be purchased at www.southlakeschorus.org.
Herndon High will also present “Broadway Magic,” its revue of Broadway songs, on Saturday and Monday at 7:30 p.m. at HHS. Tickets are $10 ($5 for students and seniors).
South Lakes High School’s Varsity Swim and Dive teams split the victory the meet with Thomas Jefferson High School Friday at Herndon Community Center. The girls won 174-144; the boys lost 211-94.
South Lakes girls started strong by winning the first four events. The 200 yard medley relay team of Natalie Obando, Megan Carney, Sabrina Groves, and Emily Landeryou won. Landeryou also won the 200 yard freestyle. Obando won the 200 yard Individual Medley and Sasha Avilov won the 50 yard free.
Other highlights:
- A sweep of the 100 yard freestyle by Landeryou (first) Groves (second), and Malina Stassinos (third); and the 100 yard breaststroke by Groves (first), Carney (second), and Kaylyn Macaluso (third).
- A first-place finish by Obando in the 100 yard backstroke.
- A one-two finish for Avilov (first) and Stassinos in the 50 yard free.
- A win for the 400 yard freestyle relay team of Landeryou, Stassinos, Madeleine Daum, and Obando.
- The South Lakes boys’ 200 yard freestyle relay team continued its winning streak with a win for Tyler Hutson, Tyler Ellis, Gianmichel D’Allesandro, and Dylan Hawley.
South Lakes returns to the pool at 7 p.m. Friday to take on Langley High School at Spring Hill RECenter.
Indoor Track and Field
South Lakes High School senior Daniel Johnsen ran a season-best 1:06.17 in the 500 meters and anchored the state qualifying 4×400 meter relay team at the Flames Invitational meet Jan. 10-11 at Liberty University in Lynchburg, VA.
It was SLHS’ last invitational meet before the 6A Conference 6 championships, which begin Jan. 24.
Johnsen’s time in the 500 is the second-best in the state this season. He teamed with fellow seniors Michael Kerr, Khayri Denny and junior Sam Arpee in the relay. Along with the state qualifying performances, SLHS also had 13 new district qualifying performances and one regional:
- Girls 300 meters: senior Grace Gillen (43.81), sophomore Golden Kumi-Darfour (43.64), juniors Delaney Wickman (41.43 regional), Jordan Lozama (44.23), freshman Devyn Jones (44.77)
- Girls 500 meters: juniors Delaney Wickman (1:19.47), Sabrina Muldrow (1:26.09), Molly McGrath (1:26.38)
- Girls 1,000 meters: Kumi-Darfour (3:07.94), junior Gabrielle Acosta (3:16.14)
- Boys 55 meter: freshman Timiebi Ogobri (6.98)
- Boys 1,000 meters: junior Collin Weirick (2:46.46), sophomore John Leberre (2:47.64)
- Boys long jump: senior Anthony Mayo (19-1.75)
— Submitted by Lyn Cordts and Valerie Lister; Photo by Mark Majoros. Have sports scores to report from Herndon or South Lakes High Schools? Send them to [email protected].
Paced by its winning 4×400 and 4×800 relay teams, the South Lakes High School indoor track teams finished second in the girls division and fourth in the boys’ at the Southeastern Invitational Jan. 3-4 in Hampton, Va. There were 32 teams in each division.
Senior Grace Gillen, juniors Claire Nieusma, Delaney Wickman and sophomore Golden Kumi-Darfour ran a State Qualifying time of 4:04.32 in the girls 4×400 in winning the event. Senior Abby Reinhold and sophomore Monica Lannen teamed with Gillen and Kumi-Darfour to win the 4×800 meter relay in 9:43.58, which qualified them for regionals.
The boys 4×800 team of seniors Michael Kerr, Michael Uhrig, Daniel Johnsen and junior Andrew McCool won their event in a Regional Qualifying time of 8:14.79.
Both the boys and girls 4×800 teams won in meet-record times.
SLHS boys also ran a District Qualifying time in the 4×200 when seniors Marcus Harrell, Khayri Denny, Ben O’Connor and Johnsen ran a 1:34.30 and finished third.
More than 20 members of the SLHS indoor track team have met District, Regional and State qualifying standards. Adding to that list from the Southeastern Invitational are:
Regional qualifiers:
- 55 meter hurdles: freshman Devyn Jones, 8.93 (5th)
- 300 meters: Johnsen, 36.20 (3rd); Delaney Wickman 41.96 (6th)
- Long jump: senior Danielle Hale, 16-9.75 (2nd)
- Triple jump: Hale, 36-0 (3rd)
District qualifiers:
- 55 meter hurdles: junior Maya Rodriguez, 9.82 (14th)
- 55 meters: Harrell, 6.98 (21st)
- 300 meters: Harrell, 38.31 (15th)
- 500 meters: Sam Arpee 1:11.88 (9th); junior Ozioma Chinaka, 1:23.7 (6th)
- 1000 meters: Reinhold, 3:16.18 (4th); junior Devin Nieusma, 3:17.08 (6th)
Seahawk track competes this week: Wednesday in the DCIAA Invitational Wednesday, Jan. 8 in Landover, MD at the Prince George’s County Sportsplex; in a tri-meet with Langley and Herndon high schools on Friday, Jan. 10 at Thomas Jefferson Middle School and at the Flames Invitational Friday and Saturday at Liberty University in Lynchburg.
Submitted by Valerie Lister/Photo courtesy Ed Lull.
The South Lakes High School girls basketball team rebounded after its first loss of the season to defeat Bishop McNamara 48-44 and take third place in the Silver Division in the Boo Williams Christmas Classic in Hampton, Va.
The 9-1 Seahawks, ranked sixth last week by The Washington Post, entered the tournament undefeated and beating the previous eight teams by an average of 29 points per game. After topping St. Frances Academy 59-42, the girls lost to Central Bucks West (Pa.) 62-41 in the second round.
In the final game, South Lakes went on a 14-4 fourth-quarter run to seal the victory. Senior Abigail Rendle led all scorers with 19 points and 5 rebounds. Rendle, who has signed with William & Mary, was named to the all tournament team after amassing 48 points, 17 rebounds, and 11 blocks in the three games.
Junior forward Princess Aghayere added 9 points, 17 rebounds and 1 assist, falling one point shy of a double-double for the third straight game.
Boys Basketball — The Seahawks went 2-1 at the Wakefield Holiday Tournament. They defeated Centreville 61-48 on Dec. 26, then fell 71-48 to host Wakefield. South Lakes came back to defeat Annandale 61-48 on Saturday. The boys are now 4-5 and play at Woodson on Friday.
Indoor Track — The South Lakes High School indoor track team spent the first half of the winter break with athletes meeting district and regional qualifying meets during two meets in Landover, Md.
Junior Andrew McCool ran District Qualifying Standards in the 1,000 meters (2:47.59) and 1,600 meters (4:36.04) at the PR Holiday Invitational Dec. 21 at the Prince George’s Sportsplex. He followed that up with a personal record of 9:53.28 in the 3,200 meters at the F.I.T. (Friends of Indoor Track) Invitation on Saturday (Dec. 28), which qualified him for districts in that event.
Senior Daniel Johnsen and sophomore Monica Lannen exceeded district standards in two events each during the PR Holiday Invitational. Johnsen finished the 300 meters in 36.79 for seventh overall and was second in the 500 meters with a 1:06.92. Lannen’s double was in the 1,000 meters (3:14.75, 7th) and 1,600 meters (5:30.47, 5th).
Seniors Khayri Denny, Danielle Hale and freshman Nikayla Hoyte had district qualifying standards in events at the PR Holiday Invitational as well as the F.I.T. (Friends of Indoor Track) Invitational, which was held Saturday, Dec. 28 at the Sportsplex. Denny, who has met district standards in the 55 and 300 meters, added a regional qualifier in the long jump (21-10.5) at the PR Holiday Invitational and a district standard in the triple jump (39-9) this past weekend at FIT.
Hale also had a regional qualifying jump of 35-3.5 in the triple jump at the PR Holiday Invitational and added a 44.84 district qualifying time in the 300 meters at the FIT Invitational. She already has regional qualifying standards in the 4×200 meter relay and high jump as well as district standards in the 55 meters, high jump and shot put, all of which she accomplished at the Liberty Elite Invitational earlier this month (Dec. 7).
Hoyte ran a 7.69 in the 55 meters at PR Holiday Invitational and 44.56 in the 300 meters at FIT Invitational, both district standards.
The undefeated South Lakes High School girls basketball team will travel to the Boo Williams Classic in Hampton, Va., Thursday where the Seahawks will play St. Francis Academy in the opening round at 6 p.m..
South Lakes is 7-0 and is ranked No. 6 by the Washington Post. The girls are coming off a 71-27 thrashing of Herndon last week. Three players scored in double figures for the Seahawks — Abigail Rendle (15), Natalie Toma (12) and Princess Aghayere (11).
South Lakes has held opponents to an average of 29 points per game so far this season.
The 2-4 boys team will play Centreville at the Wakefield Holiday Tournament at 2:45 p.m. Thursday.
Swimming — The South Lakes girls swim team defeated Fairfax on Dec. 20 186-129. The boys team lost to Fairfax 156.5-152.5.
South Lakes won both the boys and girls 200 yard Medley Relay. Mac Sogandares, Benjamin Gryski, Dylan Hawley, and Tyler Hutson swam for the boys. Natalie Obando, Sabrina Groves, Emily Landeryou, and Kaylyn Macaluso swam for the girls. South Lakes also won both 400 yard Freestyle Relays, with Tyler Ellis, Hawley, Gryski, and Sogandares swimming for the boys and Groves, Madeleine Daum, Landeryou, and Obando swimming for the girls.
South Lakes girls won all but three of their events. Highlights included:
• Emily Landeryou achieved a State time with a first place finish in 100yd Butterfly and a Region time in 200 Free.
• Natalie Obando achieved a Region time in 100 Back.
• A one-two finish in 100yd Freestyle for Caitlyn King (first) and Daum, in 100yd Back for Obando (first) and King, and in 100yd Butterfly for Landeryou (first) and Groves.
• First place finish in 200yd Individual Medley for Groves; in Diving for Sarah Wikowske; in 100yd Breast for Macaluso.
Though they couldn’t edge Fairfax for the win, the South Lakes boys had some outstanding swims:
• Mac Sogandares achieved a Region time with a first place finish in 100yd Butterfly.
• Hawley, Hutson and Ellis swept the 50yd Freestyle.
• A one-two finish in 100yd Butterfly for Sogandares (first) and Hawley, and in 200yd Individual Medley for Gryski (first) and Max Onozuka.
Photo of SLHS swimmer Emily Landeryou by David Cordts
South Lakes High School indoor track team opened its varsity season with more than a dozen athletes meeting District Qualifying standards with their performances at the Liberty Elite Invitational, Saturday at Liberty University in Lynchburg.
Both the boys and girls 4×400 meter relay teams, the girls 4×200 meter relay team as well as senior Danielle Hale (high jump) and junior Comfort Reed (triple jump) surpassed Regional Qualifying Standards at the meet. The boys 4×200 team of seniors Aeron Thai, Ben O’Connor, Khayri Denny and sophomore Skander Ballard won the event in 1:36.94.
Seahawk athletes with District Qualify times/distances include:
- Senior Luis Rivas, 1,600 meters (4:36.32, 2nd overall)
- Senior Michael Kerr, 1,000 meters (2:40.64, 4th)
- Sophomore Skander Ballard, 300 meters (38.35, 7th), triple jump (42-00.50)
- Senior Khayri Denny, 300 meters (38.70, 9th), 55 meters (6.70, 3rd)
- Junior Max Gillum, 55 meter hurdles (9.17)
- Junior Nathan Stone, high jump (5-6)
- Senior Jon Mangal, shot put (39-9)
- Sophomore Monica Lannen, 3,200 meters (12:12.09)
- Junior Ozioma Chinaka, 300 meters (44.44), 55 meters (7.80), pole vault (8-0)
- Junior Jordan Lozama, 55 meters (7.81), shot put (27-00.75)
- Junior Claire Nieusma, 500 meters (1:23.16, 6th)
- Freshman Devyn Jones, 500 meters (1:24.73, 10th)
- Senior Danielle Hale, 55 meters (7.67, 6th), high jump (4-10), shot put (26-07.50)
- Junior Comfort Reed, triple jump (34-09.25)
Rivas, Kerr, senior Daniel Johnsen and junior Sam Arpee finished second in the 4×400 with a 3:31.87, which qualified them for the Regional meet. Senior Grace Gillen teamed with Claire Nieusma, Devyn Jones and sophomore Golden Kumi-Darfour for a 4:12.62 in finishing third in the 4×400 and qualifying for Regionals. The girls 4×200 team of Chinaka, Lozama, Hale and junior Delaney Wickman ran a 1:49.53 for third and a spot in Regionals.
Other SLHS performances at the Liberty meet:
- 55 meter hurdles: Devyn Jones (10.49), junior Sydney Crutcher (10.97)
- 55 meters: O’Connor (7.04), freshman Timiebi Ogobri (7.05), senior Anthony Mayo (7.18), Reed (7.89)
- 300 meters: Arpee (39.34), O’Connor (39.97), Mayo (39.98), junior John Frauenheim (40.27), Thai (40.64), Ogobri (41.09), Lozama (46.02)
- 500 meters: Senior Joshua Keeley (1:16.01, 11th)
- 1,000 meters: juniors Augusta Durham (3:23.42, 9th), Devin Nieusma (3:23.93, 10th), senior Abby Reinhold (3:24.01, 11th), Collin Weirick (2:48.95, 11th), Kumi-Darfour (3:24.26, 12th), sophomore Elias Tefera (2:54.53, 15th),
- 1,600 meters: junior John LeBerre (4:53.85, 5th), Surham (5:40.12, 7th), sophomore Katie Martin (6:07.47, 19th), freshman Naomi Brindley (6:08.51, 21st)
- 3,200 meters: junior Mitchell Drier (11:03.96, 14th), senior Michael Uhrig (11:09.37, 15th)
- 4×800 meter relay: Boys (8:54.53, 4th), Girls (10:11.28, 3rd)
- Long jump: sophomore Alex Rudison (16-09.75), Reed (12-02.50
- Shot put: senior Alex Woodward (37-01.75), Chinaka (24-11.00)
- Triple jump: junior Khoa Nguyen (40-05.75)
Submitted by Valerie Lister. Have some sports scores to report? Send them to [email protected].
