![Held up by a group of cheerleaders, flyer sophomore Leyu Yonas poses as part of a stunt, also supported by flyer junior Shayne Mitchell behind her. (Left) Prior to the pink out football game on Oct. 13, the athletes practiced in the aux gym from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. (Right) On Oct. 19, the cheerleaders competed in their District Championships at Woodgrove High School. “We definitely put all our effort on the mat [at Districts], and it showed,” Mitchell said. Left: Photo by Nadia Shirr. Right: Photo by Steve Prakope via Victor O’Neill Studios.](https://theblazerrhs.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/feature-image-1200x823.png)
![Sophomore Xavier Smith (6), the Phoenix quarterback, runs the ball as his teammates help hold up the defense. “My [offensive] line collapses, so I just [have to run], and its a good way to get first downs because [Tuscarora’s] defense was really good,” Smith said.](https://theblazerrhs.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/IMG_5383-1200x897.jpg)
![As the referee throws the ball up for the tip-off, freshman Simone Diby leaps towards the ball to get it in Phoenix possession. Diby is a new member of the Phoenix girls basketball team, and despite it being a change, she finds it enjoyable. “It’s definitely a different experience if you’ve never played on a team, [but] I think it’s still fun.”](https://theblazerrhs.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/DSC_0057-1200x662.jpg)
On Wednesday, May 22, the Phoenix track team competed alongside Broad Run, Dominion, Heritage, John Champe, Loudoun County, Loudoun Valley, Park View, Tuscarora, and Woodgrove at the region championship held at the Phoenix home track.
Six Phoenix athletes placed during regionals, including sophomore Khem Temoka, who placed as a regional champion from the boy’s 400 meter race, senior Daniel Bankole, who placed as a regional champion from the discus competition, and juniors Lilia Jones and Micah Younger, freshman Adrienne Lwanga, and sophomore Zoe Fyne-Okorie placed for the 4×100 race, as regional champions.
During regionals, some athletes took this opportunity to show perseverance after injuries or mental blocks. “I was kind of nervous because it was a home meet, I knew some of my friends were watching, and I just came back from an injury; I’ve been injured for about a week, so I was pretty nervous,” sophomore Khem Temoka said. “To be honest, I was overthinking things, I didn’t know what I was doing wrong, I didn’t know what caused my injury, but I’m good, I’m good.”
Among the stress of competing against several other high-ranking athletes for the qualifiers, the Phoenix also had to account for the weather, which was very humid and rainy that day, posing as another figurative hurdle to jump over. “Like any other track meet, I hydrat[ed], [ate] good food, good breakfast, good lunch, and I just trust[ed] my training in general, and I got a lot of sleep too [to get around the weather].” Temoka said.
As the senior athletes step down and the new track athletes step up, new precedents are set. Seniors like Daniel Bankole now focus on what’s ahead of them in their academic and athletic careers. “Regionals felt great, I had a big PR in regionals and I took first place [in discus], which made me really happy,” Bankole said. “I feel kind of sad, but at the same time I feel good [about leaving] because I wanna go around more, I don’t want to just be confined here. I will miss my friends and my teachers, though.” Bankole said.
