HSMSE's Best Track and Field Athletes Face Off In The City Championships

HSMSE’s Indoor Track and Field team competed Saturday, February 22nd at the 2020 PSAL City Championships at the Armory in Washington Heights. At the meet, HSMSE’s boys’ and girls’ teams placed 12th and 21st respectively in the city.

This marks a season-ending event for the HSMSE Flying Dragons in which their star players’ skills were displayed on the city’s greatest stage. Thirteen HSMSE athletes competed in a total of six events against other top schools in the city.

Among the most significant performers in the City Championship was junior Whralston Anderson. He finished second in the triple jump with a distance of 42-5 ½, beating his previous school record by two feet.

Additionally, Anderson tied for second with a 5’-8” high jump. His performances were the Flying Dragons' only top-three finishes in the meet. His triple jump score made him the only HSMSE athlete who qualified for this year’s state meet.

Also, the girls’ pole vaulting team had an outstanding performance. In the event, junior Sophie Levine earned fourth place with a height of seven-feet and eight-inches. Additionally, sophomore Lara Bernard and freshman Penelope Larkin tied for fifth, both with a height of seven-feet and two-inches.

According to coach Thomas Henning, the key to his athletes' success was perseverance and consistency. He believes their stellar performances weren’t anything out of the ordinary; it was the outcome of hard work and commitment.

“People did very much as I expected,” he said.

He also noted sophomore Jillian Darcy’s improvement, who managed to qualify for the city championships for her incredible endurance as a runner. At the meet, she placed 11th in the 3000 meter run with a time of 11:42.67, a minute and nine seconds behind first place.

“She did very well at the end of the season,” he said.

The team's accomplishments have led their school to a new athletic frontier. There is no doubt that the Flying Dragons' boasting multiple medalists was even more impressive with less than 500 students in their school's population. The team looks for an even brighter future next season, with a plan to recruit even more potential champions and train harder than ever before.

- Luis Andino also contributed to this article.