Health & Fitness
PHS Girls track team wins first state title
The PHS girls track team won the 1A state title on Monday, February 17 at the Prince George’s Sports and Learning Complex in Landover, Maryland, and the boys placed second, losing by just 4.5 points to Smithsburg in Washington County.
The girls championship is the eighth state championship in PHS’s 50-year history, but only the first ever state title for any female sports. Last year, the boys track team won the state title.
For the girls, the win came down to the last riveting minutes. During the final events, junior Morgan Jones was competing in the pole vault. The problem was that Morgan was also scheduled to run the first leg of the 4x400 meter relay. So, coach Adam Hittner asked junior Khala Marshall-Watkins to step in.
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“I was freaking out,” said Khala. “The last 4x4 I ran was in November. I didn’t know what he was thinking.”
It turns out, the move worked. Khala moved the team from third to first during the second leg of the race, preparing the team for the win in the event. Meanwhile, Morgan won second place in the pole vault, pushing the track team four points ahead of second place Manchester Valley High School in Carroll County to secure the state title.
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“We wanted to play to our strength,” said coach Hittner. “I am tremendously proud of the efforts they did. We always thought that we had a chance. They performed above my expectations.”
The PHS girls team placed 9 of the 13 events, including junior Senait Weaver’s s first place victory in the 500-meter individual race.
“We were not expecting to win states,” Senait said. “It turns out that the hectic finale was just what we needed.”
Like the girls, the boys placed in 9 of the 13 events, including wins by senior Daniel Lewis in the 55-meter hurtles, and wins in the 4x400 meter relay and the 4 x 200 meter relay.
“I feel like we underestimated our competition a bit, but our kids were outstanding. They were just a little better,” said Mr. Hittner.
The team thanks their coaches for their hard work and preparation.
“I am extremely proud of our athletes for their display of commitment, pride, and perservance,” said Ed Mitzel, principal of Pikesville High School.