State champion boys, girls 4×800 relay enter the final stretch

Photo courtesy @wjtrackandfield Instagram
(From left) Koki Takizawa, Kendall Murphy, Calix McCormick and Liad Simhony grind out a 3rd place finish in a competitive 4×800 race at the MD 4A Indoor Track State Championship

Months of preparation have led to massive success in the postseason for both girls and boys 4×800 meter relay teams. In a largely team sport like track, it is not uncommon for individual events to go unrecognized. However, these teams have made a name for themselves finding success through the regular season. Both squads walked away with first place in the 2022 Grant Holloway Holiday Invitational in December.
“We really focused on speed work that especially helps us in a mid distance event like the 800m,” senior Koki Takizawa said.
However, after another impressive showing at states, the Cats are not done. With their victories, they have also punched a ticket to compete at Nike Indoor Nationals, Saturday, Mar. 11.
“Hopefully we can use this newly developed speed to outkick our opponents at the end of our respective relay legs,” Takizawa said.
Part of having an impressive relay team is not just speed, but the ability to gel with each other.
“The biggest part of our relay team chemistry is we spend so much time together every day at practice and during meets that we’ve rly come together as a team. We all support each other and push each other to do the best we can,” junior Zuzana Huserova said.
The girls are only three seconds away from a school record.
Through intensive distance workouts in a volatile Maryland winter, these teams have shown physical resilience and mental integrity all in order to hold the poised brass around their necks. Now they ready their spikes again for the final hurdle, so to speak; a chance at national notoriety.

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