Unified track and field teams earn state level awards
La Plata earns first-place award, McDonough gets second
The Unified track and field teams from La Plata and McDonough high schools earned top honors among competing Maryland teams at the Special Olympics Interscholastic Unified Sports Track and Field Invitational held May 9 and 10 at the Prince George’s Sports and Learning Complex in Landover.
The La Plata team earned a first-place award, and the team from McDonough earned second place during competitions held May 9.
Athletes compete in different sessions during the tournament based on team size and event.
A combined team of students from Lackey, Thomas Stone and Westlake high schools earned a second-place award during the second competition session held May 10, and a team of students from North Point and St. Charles high schools earned a fourth-place award on May 10.
Events featured during the tournament include track and field challenges such as dash races, shot put throw and the long jump to relay races, a javelin throw and meter-dash races.
Students from all seven Charles County public high schools participated in the event. Unified sports teams are composed of a combination of students with and without disabilities who train together and compete against other schools.
La Plata’s team includes sophomores Shane Crockett, Falon Harper, Kyndall Kahouk and Brandon Starcher, juniors Nicholas Bowman, Merlon Devine II, Elaina Dixon, Marco Frederico, Katelyn Kluh, Corey Mitchell, Lazarus Sutton and Keith Wood, senior Joshua Hoffman and Adult Independence Program students Heba Habib, Emily Hughes and Rebecca Stine. Team coaches are Stephanie Barry and James Swann.
The La Plata team also was honored by the Board of Education at its June 13 meeting for their first-place award.
McDonough’s team includes freshmen Jakim Barnett, Shelton Evans, Ramona Hawkins, James Otey and Jonathan Panfil, sophomores Ethan Divelbliss, Travis Gilbert, Keydrea Harris, Jaylene Logan and Mya Smith, juniors Angelo Drayton, Danielle Taylor, Lydell Vines and Carrie Wagner, seniors Ty’Juan Johnson and Zaire Johnson and AIP students Naquantay Chappell and Estriana Smith. Coaches are Jonathan Briscoe and Mary Hayes.
Students on the team from Lackey include freshman Kalei Marable, sophomore Trey Hargrove, juniors Teaira Cooks, Anthony Macri, Deja Phelps and Zachary Zalovick, seniors Kavon Green-Johnson and Kaya Wade and AIP student Brenden Kelley. Kylie Swanson coaches the Lackey team.
The Stone team includes freshman Tiondre Proctor-Browne, sophomores Megan Mattera, Allyson Mattera and Neko Ennis, junior Paris Massey, senior Leon Hollowell and AIP student Josh Minnis. Coach of the Stone team is Katie Coverdale.
Westlake’s team includes freshmen Cammera Askins, Ajoyia Baker, Brijai Herman, Shannon Holmes, Ashley Lindsay and Kymari Randolph-Ottey, sophomores Carlus Flowers and Danielle Kemper and junior Shawn Edwards. Coach of the team is Derwin Webb.
The North Point team includes freshmen Jalisa Logan and Richard Miller, sophomore Jalen Logan, juniors Elizabeth Eaglin, Carsen Essing, Kayla Gassama, Etienne Jackson, Reines Maliksi, Leilani Mason, Allyson Simmons, Andrea Simmons and Olivia Simmons, seniors Colleen Gerrity, Maria Miller, Esha Satam, Shelly Sweeney, Aaron Tate-Moore, Elizabeth Varela and Madison Stanley and AIP students Devin Abraham and Logan Jenkins. Coaches of the team are Alison Cheney and George Hall.
The St. Charles team includes freshman John Cristaudo, juniors Drew Carter, Neena Delgiudice, Antjuan Goodwin and Marcus Stewart and seniors Gabrielle Brizzi and Jazmynne Pearson. Team coaches are Sheila Church, Seaton Fisher and Rebekah Gingerich.
Charles County Public Schools partnered with Special Olympics Maryland to offer students of all abilities sports programs. Participation in the program increases annually and students learn about social, communication and relationship-building skills, teamwork and exploring their athletic abilities. Students are listed by grade year of achievement.