Varsity Track and Field
Mason Dominates Madison County
Girls and Boys Both Win

By Andy Parker (April 29, 2006)

Both the boys’ and girls’ track and field teams soundly beat Madison County in a dual meet last Wednesday evening, improving Mason’s district record to 2-1.  After losing to Clarke County last Wednesday, this victory was particularly satisfying for Mason’s runners, jumpers, and throwers. 

The meet featured several notable highlights.  For the ladies, sophomore Susanna Sullivan continued her domination of distance events in the district, finishing first in the 800m run with a time of 2:23. Other first-place finishes included Natay Smartt in the long jump, Sushmitta Gorhandas in the high jump, Karina Robarge in the 100m hurdles, Ashley Thompson in the 100m dash, Emma Goetz in the 1600m run, Laura Allan in the 400m dash, Amelia Nystrom in the 300m hurdles, and Elizabeth Fortenberry in the 3200m run.  Also, in only her second week of throwing, freshman Melissa Benn came out of the woodwork to take second in both the shot put and the discus.  Finally, the Lady Mustangs’ 1600m relay team annihilated Madison County’s, winning by a margin of nearly a minute with a time of 4:46.

For the boys, senior Travis Greene earned the Mustangs a staggering 20 points by winning four events, including the 100m dash, the 200m dash, the long jump, and the triple jump.  Junior Derek Devore also had an excellent outing, winning both the 110m and 300m hurdles.  Junior Ed Hickey, still undefeated in Bull Run District competition, earned first place for discus, with a winning throw of 107 feet.  Seniors Bob Bumgarner and Andy Parker respectively took first and second place in the shot put.  Freshman distance runner Louis Henninger grabbed first place in the 3200m, as did freshman Cassum Rahawi in the 800m run.  In a nail-biting conclusion, Mason’s 1600m relay team edged Madison’s, thanks to a come-from-behind victory in the final seconds of the race by anchor Derek Devore. 

This Saturday, the team will venture down to Harrisonburg, Virginia, for an invitational at Eastern Mennonite University.  The team’s next district meet will be at Strasburg next Wednesday.