Seven M-A track and field athletes participated in the CIF State Championships this past weekend. Junior Tatum Olesen ran in the 800-meter race, freshman Keiniyah Talton ran in the 100-meter dash, senior Sherrod Smith participated in the long jump, and juniors De’Auri Ellis and Jolene Chu, sophomore Sara Nordlund, and Talton all ran in the 4×100-meter relay.
Olesen placed seventh out of the 12 athletes running in the 800-meter race, breaking her personal record, which also happened to be the school record, with a 2:10.25 minute run, qualifying for the Nike Outdoor Nationals.
In the preliminary races for the 100-meter dash, Talton had a 12.52-second run.Given that Talton is still a freshman, the M-A track team will continue to be a powerhouse for years to come.
To finish his high school track and field career, Smith jumped 22′ 5¼” in the long jump preliminaries. Smith was recently named male athlete of the year for M-A after his incredible seasons in both football and track.
Prior to the 4x100m relay, Ellis sprained her ankle, but Ellis, Chu, Nordland, and Talton still finished with an impressive 49.53 second run.
Overall, all athletes performed exceptionally well, marking the end of a successful season, with Olesen continuing on to Nationals. All the graduating seniors helped put M-A track and field on the national map this past season and set a new tone for the program. The Bears’ track and field team is looking forward to a great season next year.
