On April 9, Rock Ridge hosted John Champe, Lightridge, Loudoun Valley, and Potomac Falls High Schools for a five-team outdoor track season meet. Post the meet, Rock Ridge conducted a Senior Spotlight event to celebrate the seniors on the Rock Ridge track team and their accomplishments. 

Rock Ridge athletes performed well in the meet, ranking at the top in a variety of events. For running events, Junior Khem Themoka placed second in the Boys 100 Meter Dash Finals, with a time of 11.41 seconds, and first in the Boys 200 Meter Dash Finals, at 22.76 seconds. Senior Eli Santos ranked fifth place in the Boys 100 Meter Dash Finals, at 11.71 seconds, and fourth place in the Boys 200 Meter Dash Finals, with a time of 23.45 seconds. Senior Rodrigue Gomado came fifth place in the Boys 200 Meter Dash Finals, at 23.54 seconds. Gomado was given a mention at the Senior Spotlight event for his notoriety within the team. “Last year, we placed fifth at states in the 4×4, so I got an All-state medal, and then this year at Indoor states I placed sixth, so I got an All-state medal again,” Gomado said. 

For the Girls 100 Meter Dash Finals, Senior Lillia Jones ranked first place at 12.66 seconds, and Senior Micah Younger came third place with a time of 13.11 seconds. Jones also came in first place for the Girls 200 Meter Dash Finals, with a time of 27.11 seconds. Jones was recognized at the Senior Spotlight ceremony for her excellence within the team. “My biggest achievements are definitely my All State awards,” Jones said. “They motivate me and are something to drive and look forward to as the seasons go on.” Freshman Leona Walker ranked second place, at 27.44 seconds. Freshman Phoenix Pradia placed fourth with a time of 1:05.68 in the Girls 400 Meter Dash finals. Additionally, The Girls 4×100 Meter Relay team finished first with a time of 50.04 seconds. 

For jumps, Junior Kendrix Singleton placed second in the Boys High Jump Finals with a mark of 6-0. Senior Rodrigue Gomado ranked first in the Boys Long Jump Finals, having a mark of 20-5.25. Sophomore Adrienne Lwanga came in second place during the Girls High Jump Finals, with a mark of 4-8. For the Girls Long Jump Finals, freshman Leona Walker placed first at a mark of 17-3.5. 

For Discus and Shot Put events, Junior Rodney Easterling placed third with a mark of 119-7 in the Boys Discus Finals, and for the Boys Shot Put Finals, Junior Isaac Spielman ranked first at a mark of 48-9.5. In the Girls Discus Finals, Senior Saihaj Kaur came second place with a mark of 89-0, and first place for the Girls Shot Put Finals with a mark of 32-4.5. “I have placed at a few meets, gotten a few medals, and for now I have made regionals hoping to make states,” Kaur said.

Overall, this meet was a very successful accomplishment for the Rock Ridge Outdoor track team, and coupled with the Senior Spotlight Recognition ceremony after it, was very celebratory of all of the hard working athletes Rock Ridge boosts and their well-earned accomplishments.

Gallery • 6 Photos

Zahra Hameed

Activities and Athletics Director, Bradley Buruzumato, congratulates and shakes hands with track athlete Senior Micah Younger during the Senior Spotlight ceremony after the meet.