By: Maria Estaphanos and Solana Wynn

For the first time since 2020, Mt. Hebron High School’s field and track team was able to compete in county championships at the Prince George Sports and Learning Complex. Jan. 20th, 2022 marks the day that students were able to participate in these championships for the first time since 2019.

This title and longevity brought an even more exciting comeback for all 11 high school field and hockey teams, with every single player yearning to earn a title.

Michelle Antwi, a senior at Mt. Hebron High School, is looking forward to her first and last county championships. “I was excited for my team because we had been training hard for this since it was the first championships we’ve had since covid.”

This day was bittersweet to many; for some, it was their first county Championship, and to others, it was their last. Runners had been training hard for this since the beginning of their season, striving to earn themselves and their school a title.

With competition comes anxiety: it is very important for runners to be able to clear their heads so that they are able to concentrate and compete well. Some runners prepare for these competitions differently from others. “I had a pep talk with my coach and teammates, then started warming up on the track,” said Preston Henry, a senior at Mt. Hebron High School.

Once they stepped foot on the track, The Scorpions dominated the boys’ field with 172 points, while Howard (103), Centennial (56), Long Reach (53), and Wilde Lake (46) rounded out the top five. The Vikings earned the girls’ county title with 99 points, edging out Oakland Mills (89), Howard (65.5), River Hill (61), and Hammond (46).

Caroline McCaffrey, a junior at Mt. Hebron, was able to set a personal record in the 800-meter race (2:27.76) and placed fifth in the 1,600-meter competition. “I felt great,” McCaffrey recounted. “I had friends and family cheering me on so it was a really uplifting moment.”

Many other girls and boys were also able to score personal records and place titles in their heats. The Mt. Hebron girls ended up scoring first in the championships and the Mt. Hebron boys scored seventh.